TELLING IT LIKE IT IS !

Shame on the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka Kansas picketing the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service in Emmitsburg Maryland !

As a born again Christian, a pastor, volunteer firefighter and chaplain, I hope and pray that my brother and sister firefighters understand that this group of people are not your typical Christians. I have seen their venom on their website attacking firefighters, emergency responders, and the military. These misguided people take Scripture out of context to condemn some yet do not consider the Scripture that is written to them and apply it to themselves.

In fact the Bible talks about a tree and its fruit in Matthew 7:15-23. It says in verse 16 and again in verse 20 that “By their fruit you will recognize them.” First of all who is being referenced here? … Christians are – not the unsaved! Secondly, by what standard? … by their fruit! What fruit is that? It is called “the fruit of the Spirit.” The fruit of the spirit is a judgment, measurement or result, of how Christians really live their lives. This “living” is dependent upon the application of biblical standards, biblical living, and obedience to the Holy Spirit. If these three criteria are not being met then the fruit of the Spirit will be lacking, or even totally absent.

What is “the fruit of the Spirit?” References to life by the Spirit are found in Galatians 5:16-26. Verses 22 and 23a says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” It is obvious that what Scripture is expecting here in the lives of Christians is lacking in the lives of these self-proclaimed prophets … who very possibly have crossed the line into the realm of a cult.

The judgment that is talked about in the New Testament tells us not to judge those who do not know Christ. We are not to expect those who don’t know Christ to live according to biblical standards … but we are required to keep those who are followers of Christ accountable. The only way to do that is to hold each other to a biblical standard with accountability. By definition that is judgment … an in-house judgment among believers that calls for a loving biblical process as necessary.

True Christians will exhibit an appreciation for those who serve them, even if those who serve them do not know Christ as their Savior … they just hope and pray that some day they will.

I certainly appreciate you all.

God bless you.

Your brother,

Rev. D.E. Grant