My reply to Stephan Fry…

I listened to Stephen Fry’s opinion this week, on whether God exists and what he would say to God if He had to meet him. Instead of feeling angry about his comments… I felt sad.
 
In an interview for RTÉ One’s “The Meaning of Life” with Gay Byrne, when he explained what he would say if he was "confronted by God" Stephen Fry shocked audiences…

Gay Bryne said: "Suppose it’s all true, and you walk up to the pearly gates, and are confronted by God,” asked Bryne. “What will Stephen Fry say to him, her, or it?"

Stephan Fry replied: “I’d say, bone cancer in children? What’s that about?
“How dare you? How dare you create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault. It’s not right; it’s utterly, utterly evil.
“Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world that is so full of injustice and pain. That’s what I would say.”
Byrne asked a second question: “And you think you are going to get in, like that?”
“But I wouldn’t want to,” Fry insisted. “I wouldn’t want to get in on his terms. They are wrong.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo

Stephan’s description of God as the evil overlord of this planet is hair-raising to anyone who truly knows God. This platform can in no way be adequate to challenge or even to attempt to correct what he said, but I wondered what single thing I would say to him, or try to correct in his thinking, if I had the opportunity… I tried to think of single correction that might steer someone of his intellect in the right direction.

I think I would choose to talk to him about “freewill”. It might seem strange that I would choose “freewill” instead of “love”, (Christians believe that God is Love) but you see, “love” cannot exist without “freewill”. 

No man and no god, of any kind, that has reason and claims to operate within reason, can force anybody, to truly love them. 

Coerced love results in slavery and at best loyalty, but that is still not love. The only reason Adam and Eve had the choice to know evil is because without the power of choice, they would not love God by choice, but rather by default. The absence of God is evil, just as the absence of light is dark. It is because God created us to be in a love relationship with Him, that freewill was given to us. 

Freewill to choose Him, freewill to be His sons and daughters, not His slaves!
Anyone who has ever loved (on this earth) will know that love has great cost. Built into love’s core lies not only volumes of joy, but also truckloads of pain.
Even Lucifer (now Satan), (who was created to be a perfect being, just as humans were), used his freewill (intended by God for love), to choose against God’s will.

It is not God who makes children blind or sick; it is the god of this world, the devil, Satan, the thief, or whatever other one of his names you might be familiar with…

John 10:10 (AMP)
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Ephesians 6:12 (AMP)
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

You see it is easy for non-believers to talk about “God” because His creation will always speak to our reason, but they have a hard time giving credit to Satan, who sadly has dominion over this earth. Dominion that man legally had and legally gave to him.

How then does a Father who loves us, shelter us from a world ruled by evil? He creates a kingdom (on earth) which we become part of supernaturally (only by freewill choice to love Jesus). He buys back our sin - that is punishable only by death, by sacrificing His Son (Jesus) in our stead. He provides peace in our minds, spirits and in our hearts, even onto death. He creates in us a spirit that will endure more than what the human spirit ever could without Him. He empowers us to move mountains with our love for one another and heals our broken flesh with faith in Him. He moves the war around and against us, within an arm’s length and teaches us to feast amidst the most unbearable attacks…

Psalm 23 (The Message)
A David Psalm
^1-3 God, my shepherd!
    I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
    you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
    you let me catch my breath
    and send me in the right direction.
⁴ Even when the way goes through
    Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
    when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
    makes me feel secure.
⁵ You serve me a six-course dinner
    right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
    my cup brims with blessing.
⁶ Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life.

I have heard His audible voice. He has saved my life many times over. I have seen him heal babies and old people alike. I have even looked into the face of a blind person who started seeing again. My God is very, very real and He is the best freewill choice I have ever made and I am truly loved everyday of my life.

What in the Word!?

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 Romans 1:19 Amplified Bible

¹⁹ For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.

I have heard intelligent people say that they don't read the Bible because they don't understand it, or it is boring to them. But intelligence or IQ is not the secret to enjoying or understanding your Bible. God Himself, through His Holy Spirit will reveal the meaning of the Bible to you. How does this work? Pray before you read and ask that the Light of God's understanding will shine onto the pages you read. Ask that the Holy Spirit reveal the meaning to you. It will be as if you receive 3D glasses to see the full message God intended. This is called "revelation". A 3D experience of the most divine secrets of the universe, printed in black and white. Once you experience revelation in your reading of the Word, you will know why people can read the same Book their whole life and never see it as a bore or a chore!

Power on the pulpit!

Acts 14:1 Amplified Bible

14 Now at Iconium [also Paul and Barnabas] went into the Jewish synagogue together and spoke with such power that a great number both of Jews and of Greeks believed (became Christians).

So many Christians have grown accustom to watered down morsels of dry bread from their church pulpits... This was not the original plan. We should never be board in church! Find a church that speaks with such power that nations fall to their knees in search of Jesus! Build a church that draws people in with fresh, accurate and untainted Word. Be a church that serves everyone who walks through your doors!

Love your Bible!

Acts 13:52 (Amp)

52 And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their souls] with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a once off "service" to your broken spirit!

Be FILLED CONTINUALLY and get all that you need from God, to be filled and full of JOY! Be full of His JOY, the God kind of JOY that will lighten every burden and give you the momentum to push through life, even when others would just give up, you will persevere! Let the everlasting God, CONTINUALLY FILL you:

1. Through worshiping Him in song
2. Praying to Him in your own words and
3. Reading His Word daily!

Should we baptize babies or grownups?

1. Religion vs. Relationship 

Are we in a space in our heads where we are willing to give up our culture, rituals and religion to replace it with relationship and the raw truth of what God's Word so clearly asks of us?

Did you know that I found exactly 50 verses on Baptism in my Bible? One would think that with so many references one would not have any problem understanding the topic.

The general "rule of thumb" in theology is that if you find something in the Word 2x it is a doctrine - if you see something 1x it could be a mistranslation - a linguistic error, or even a lack of understanding the dialect and historic context in which it was first written. Knowing this it baffles me (to no end), that there is so much confusion around the topic of baptism specifically the age at which it is appropriate to get baptized...

2. Why must I get baptised?

Firstly - Because Jesus was baptised and He left an example for us to follow in His steps.

Matthew 3:13-17 

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him.

14 But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?

15 But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for [both of] us to fulfil all righteousness [that is, to perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him.

16 And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.

17 And behold, a voice from heaven said, This is My Son, My Beloved, in Whom I delight!”

3. What does the word baptism mean?

Our English word Baptism comes from the Greek word Baptizo, which means to dip, immerse or whelm, that is, to cover wholly with fluid.

4. Did Baptism replace the act of Circumcision?

No it didn't. Although the two ceremonies both symbolised "leaving behind an Old sinful self", Jesus was circumcised as a baby and baptised as a grownup.

• Circumcision - was the rebirth of the Jewish nation to become God's people because of their genetic heritage. In other words it was a physical criteria to become a child of God because of a physical heritage.

• Baptism - in water is a spiritual rebirth and symbolises the Circumcision of the heart because of a spiritual heritage.

It was not only Jesus, but al God's people in the Old Testament that where Circumcised and Baptised.

5. Old Testament types of water baptism?

I will give you 2 Old Testament types that refer to water baptism.

i.         The children of Israel coming out of Egypt (the world) and going through the Red Sea into Israel (the land of God’s promises).

When the Red Sea closed behind them, there was no consideration of going back to the world, but only of pressing forward to follow and obey God.  They had burned their bridges.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2 

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, that our forefathers were all under and protected by the cloud [in which God’s Presence went before them], and every one of them passed safely through the [Red] Sea,

2 And each one of them [allowed himself also] to be baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea [they were thus brought under obligation to the Law, to Moses, and to the covenant, consecrated and set apart to the service of God];

 ii.           Noah and his family - they where preserved through the flood by obeying God in building and entering into the ark. The ark symbolises our faith in Jesus to avoid the coming judgement.

They passed out of a "sinful world" and 9 months later grounded on Mount Ararat to live an entirely new life for God.

The old had passed away – the new had begun.

There was no opportunity for returning to the past life of sin and decadence (moral decay).

1 Peter 3:20-21 

20 [The souls of those] who long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God’s patience waited during the building of the ark in which a few [people], actually eight in number, were saved through water.

21 And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:11-12 

11 In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a [spiritual] circumcision [performed by] Christ by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts).

12 [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead.

Baptism symbolises that we come out of one state or experience of bondage to sin, into a brand new experience of living a holy victorious life dedicated to Jesus Christ.

6. How much does our parents have to do with us being God's people?

According to the Old Testament  - we where born into God's family as physical Jewish babies because of our genetic predisposition - Therefore babies where circumcised.

According to the New Testament we are born into God's family as spiritual babies because of our decision to follow Christ.

Do we still today become God’s people due to our genetic predisposition? In other words, does God still choose us because of our parent’s genetics?

No, baby Christians are in fact older children and grownups in the natural and at the same time babies in the spiritual realm...

Hypothetically: your grandmother could be a baby Christian and you as her grandchild could be an elder in the body of Christ.

You cannot circumcise a child's heart before they do not have the choice to sin through their own freewill. What could one remove from their hearts if there is no evil to remove? Adam and Eve did not have sin until they received their freewill...

Isn't it true that we become re-birthed into the family of God through our personal freewill decision to accept Christ, even if we have a thousand ancestors who worshiped the devil?

Do we not have the power (according to our freewill) to become Satanists despite our parents being preachers who send thousands of sinners into the Kingdom of God through their work in the Body of Christ?

So my question is...

• Where in the New Testament, do we earn the right to decide for our children to be Christian or not?

• Do we believe that our decision as parents on behalf of our children (to be saved) overrides their own power and freewill to reject Christ?

• Will our parents’ decision get us guaranteed places in heaven?

If not, why would we baptize them to symbolise a decision made, that has in fact not yet been executed or made?

The point of a baptism is to symbolise the death of the old sinful man under the curse of the fallen Adam, and birthing them into the righteous family of the last Adam (Jesus Christ).

7. Think about this...

Baptism by immersion in its design is not suitable for babies, as they cannot be submerged under water without endangering or at the very least freighting them.

For this very reason, churches that baptize babies where forced to come up with a “solution” – they “sprinkle” water in stead of submerging babies...

Did you know that the only time one would read in the Bible of fluid being sprinkled on a person, is when the blood of animals were sprinkled on people for the remission of sin. Jesus died for our sin. We don’t need to be sprinkled with anything anymore according to the Word of God.

My next question is...

What happens to so-called “baptized at birth babies” that reject Christ?

Do they become stepchildren or half-brothers or do we as a body just divorce them in their adult life or will the works of their parents, or their “parents decision” be counted to them as “enough to be saved”?

9. What is the spiritual significance of water baptism?

Water Baptism is attending your own funeral service since a death took place when you were born again.

2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

When you were born again you were baptised or placed into the body of Christ and became a new creature in Christ Jesus, having died to the old selfish sinful nature of Satan.

10. In Conclusion

When we where born into Adam. I inherited "myself". To surrender means to give up the right to be like anything other than to be like Him. "Let the weak say I am strong!"

It is all about being born again, because the first time I was born, I was born into Adam, but that was not who I am.

Baptism is a big part of being born again.

Nicodemus didn’t understand baptism, and asked if a man had to go back into his mothers whom and be born a second time, but it is a spiritual rebirth, not a natural one.

If we can manage to figure out in life "who I am in Christ" and not "who I am through others" - we would never be discouraged. God's will and plan for me never changes.

To be discouraged is to take my eyes off the truth. The truth makes me free!

Discouragement is to take our eyes off the cross. We should always focus on what is possible through God and not what "seems to be the situation".

Mark 16:15 - after Jesus was raised from the dead He said "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptised will be saved...."

We cry out for freedom and grace, we run away from legalism - the church says that we do not have to "be baptized to be saved"

But where is the question?

Jesus says believe and be baptized! There must be significance, He must be right! I bet you Jesus is right!

Being saved means total restoration! Spirit, Soul and Body. Being saved means total redemption of the human man. Believe and be baptized and you shall be 

Saved, Restored, brought back to your original value, as if you never ate the tree, as if sin was never on the earth.

So when we ask questions like "would someone on a falling plane who gives their heart be saved?" Of course! It is the blood of Christ that saves and washes away your sin.

But if you have every opportunity to be baptized... then what possible reason would we have for not being baptized... if He said to? Lets be simple... It is all about humility.

The Name of the King...

Imagine you are a beautiful young woman - the most beautiful in all of the land. The king of the country, who is the most handsome, fair and strong king, sees you and wants to marry you. You meet, fall in love and the wedding is set. Then one day the king walks past one of the rooms in the castle, where you are sitting with other beautiful maidens, talking about the King - thinking that he cannot hear how you speak of him in his "supposed" absents. You speak of him as if he has no power, that you don't regard him as your first love and that you think of him as just another man instead of a king. Would he believe you when you walked into court later on, and professed your undying love? Would he even know that you are calling him when you cry out to the "love of your life" to save you, or might he think you are calling another man?

Don't ever use the Lords Name in vain, because it will loose its power. His power is equal to your reverent fear of it. Reverent fear translates as faith when His Name is used in a time of need. If His Name is used to blaspheme, it looses its meaning...it looses its purity and sincerity. Christian's who understand the betrayal that lies in denying the love between the King and His bride, would understand that it is more expedient to rather die, than to deny or to betray the King. Are you prepared to die for your relationship with the King?

Don't ever use the Name of the King to get favour with people - just so you can exploit them. Don't ever use your power in your relationship with the King to abuse His people or His church. Using His Name for personal gain - money, status and power - is blasphemy. Why? Because you are using His Name in vain - in other words, you are using His Name, for no good reason other than self-gain.

What kind of a bride are you to Christ?

We assume that when a person gets married and declares their vows, that a whole bunch of things will be a part of the marriage deal - love, respect, intimacy, children etc. In fact these things are a part of the contract. But - and this is a big "but"... are we considered to be divorced from our spouse if they betray this contract? Are we not married to our husband even if he sleeps with another woman from the day we get married till the day we die? Do we fall out of wedlock when we fornicate, abuse and forget our vows?

No, it is a legal matter. You have to denounce your covenant in court and consciously and purposefully request to be legally separated i.e. divorced.

So a married woman may look like a single woman in her actions, but that does not make her single.

Is it possible for us to be without sin for even one day of our lives?

It is impossible, even if we manage to stay away from the "top 10 worst of the worst kinds of sins" like: murder and theft. Jesus did something very interesting... First: He calls the Law of the Old testament a curse because it is impossible for human beings to uphold it in its entirety and breaking even one ordinance even something "small" like not wearing a pointy hat while preaching, means that you have overstepped the whole of the Law. Now, in saying that it would be logical for us in our human reasoning to assume that Jesus would say something like: "Hey man, just do what you want because the law is impossible for all except Me, therefore its a curse! Go be merry and do as you please, My grace will cover you!" BUT, He doesn't... This is what He says:

Matthew 5:27-28

27 You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.

28 But I say to you that everyone who so much as looks at a woman with evil desire for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 John 3:15

Anyone who hates (abominates, detests) his brother [in Christ] is [at heart] a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding (persevering) within him.

How bizarre... He tightens the "rope". The game gets harder. The rules are stricter...

The difference is that this time the "rope" is not there to hang us as it was in the Old Covenant (Old Testament) but rather it is: A "rope" to save us from our self - A "rope" to rein us not just in, but into Him - A method of drawing us near and binding us into His likeness.

When the Word says that fornicators, adulterers and homosexuals will not go to heaven, Jesus is naming people by their sin, for it is their identity, but once you accept Him as your Lord and Savoir, you are called Righteous according to His reputation and His identity. You are no longer called by your sin, but rather you are called by His innocence and all (yes, all!) sin is covered by His grace. We go to Heaven because of Him and not because of our lack of sin.

Ephesians 2:8-10

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;

⁹ Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

¹⁰ For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Again, what about the "rope" the rope that once was our punishment onto eternal death (God's Law that convicts our sin and sends us to Hell)? God says use it! Rein yourself into Christ, for it is warm and safe and all sufficient in Him. Don't let your covenant marriage to God be one of deceit, denial, terror, fear and eventually ending where you denounce the arrangement because the relationship became nothing more than a reminder to the death you chose daily in comparison to the Life He offered you so freely!

You are the bride of Christ! Obey Him! Love Him! By accepting Him as Lord and Savior you just might gain legal entrance to Heaven (even if it is by the skin of your teeth), but don't do it for entry into heaven!!! Do it because you are blessed to be pursued by a groom that will never betray you, never cheat on you and never ever disappoint you!

Psalm 45 (The Message)

A Wedding Song of the Sons of Korah

45 My heart bursts its banks,
    spilling beauty and goodness.
I pour it out in a poem to the king,
    shaping the river into words:

^2-4 “You’re the handsomest of men;
    every word from your lips is sheer grace,
    and God has blessed you, blessed you so much.
Strap your sword to your side, warrior!
    Accept praise! Accept due honor!
    Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly!
Ride on the side of truth!
    Ride for the righteous meek!

^4-5 “Your instructions are glow-in-the-dark;
    you shoot sharp arrows
Into enemy hearts; the king’s
    foes lie down in the dust, beaten.

^6-7 “Your throne is God’s throne,
    ever and always;
The scepter of your royal rule
    measures right living.
You love the right
    and hate the wrong.
And that is why God, your very own God,
    poured fragrant oil on your head,
Marking you out as king
    from among your dear companions.

^8-9 “Your ozone-drenched garments
    are fragrant with mountain breeze.
Chamber music—from the throne room—
    makes you want to dance.
Kings’ daughters are maids in your court,
    the Bride glittering with golden jewelry.

^10-12 “Now listen, daughter, don’t miss a word:
    forget your country, put your home behind you.
Be here—the king is wild for you.
    Since he’s your lord, adore him.
Wedding gifts pour in from Tyre;
    rich guests shower you with presents.”

^13-15 (Her wedding dress is dazzling,
    lined with gold by the weavers;
All her dresses and robes
    are woven with gold.
She is led to the king,
    followed by her virgin companions.
A procession of joy and laughter!
    a grand entrance to the king’s palace!)

^16-17 “Set your mind now on sons—
    don’t dote on father and grandfather.
You’ll set your sons up as princes
    all over the earth.
I’ll make you famous for generations;
    you’ll be the talk of the town
    for a long, long time.”