The Bible lesson you are about to read may offend you and if it does, then perhaps you need to assess your understanding of God, Jesus, and the Bible. The Bible principles and teachings apply to all facets of life to help all who will follow them to walk on the narrow path of God, and if it doesn’t, what good does it do to claim being a Christian. (The lesson isn’t about the cartoons, but what was said by a man who apparently doesn’t know the Bible very well or the freedom we have in this nation, and the freedom the people of other nations are attempting to practice.)

Jesus said, [Mat 7:15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Luke recorded the words of Paul in Acts: [20:29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [Acts 20:30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

If you are going to be offended then perhaps you should stop and go no further. The verses cited apply to former President William Jefferson Clinton. His words are reported in a World Net Daily article: Clinton condemned the publication of the caricatures by European newspapers and urged countries concerned to convict the publishers, according to the reports. He said religious convictions of the people should be respected at all costs and no media should be allowed to play with the religious sentiments of people of any faith. "I strongly disagree with the creation and publication of cartoons that are considered blasphemous by the Muslims around the world," he said. "I thought it was a mistake." He said the people's religious convictions should be respected at all costs and that media should not be permitted to criticize other faiths. He said the media could criticize any issue including governments and people, but nobody had the right to play with the sentiments of other faiths. Clinton said people in the U.S. had also condemned the publication and were deeply concerned over it. He said Americans respected Islam, as it was the fastest-growing religion in the U.S. http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48889

Need you be reminded that the man who said those things made a big display of carrying the Bible while leaving church during the Monica affair? He had spiritual leaders, including Jesse Jackson, who has his own affair problems, come to the White House to give him spiritual advice. Was that only for the purpose of show? You, the reader be the judge in light of the scriptures.

Only the spiritually blind can fail to see that Clinton has a great number of people who not only follow him, but do so in a near worship of the man. (Refer to Acts 20:30 and also Matthew 7:15) In essence, the man is advocating the same censorship of speech that the Muslims with violence are trying to force on everyone. He totally ignores the attacks on Christians and their belief by groups that hate God.   

Paul told Timothy the following: [1 Tim 6:3] If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; [1 Tim 6:4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, [1 Tim 6:5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. The words not only apply to Clinton, but to all who attempt to appease by saying nothing or by disputing the truth. It is apparent that Paul was calling on Timothy to bring to account those who were walking contrary to sound teaching. How to do that is plain. Paul said to withdraw ones self from them.

Mr. Clinton fits the wolf in sheep’s clothing as spoken by Jesus. Clinton ... said the people's religious convictions should be respected at all costs and that media should not be permitted to criticize other faiths. That being the case, then Paul and the apostles would have been prevented from preaching the gospel since preaching the gospel says that all other beliefs and religions are phony. Jude wrote: [Jude 1:3] Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Peter wrote: [1 Pet 3:15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: The Bible plainly teaches that the gospel is above all other beliefs that purport to be about God.

Early in his ministry Jesus said: [Mat 12:30] He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Those who say other religions deserve respect are trifling with God and his son. The Hebrew writer reminds us in the following way: [Heb 10:30] For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. [Heb 10:31] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

© 02-20-2006 DEC

                   Next Lesson The Wily Ways Of Satan