Nuthin’ to See Here…

“Nuthin’,” says a disgusting rendition of Jesus to a rainbow pride painted sheep asking what it needs to do to hang with the Almighty, by “The Naked Pastor” cartoonist.

Nuthin’! Really?

In all the Scriptures I read, there is action to take! Verbs like:

• Come
• Confess
• Repent
• Abide

Since when did love converge with sin, and the acceptance of sin? God never was and never will be okay with sin! Whether we want to live in sin or not, that’s our call as humans with free will. But to decide on behalf of Jesus that nuthin’ needs to change in our lives to hang out with Him…

Now wait. Even this phrase hang out—it’s so unbegotten and irreverent.

Who is Jesus to you? Is He your buddy, or your Lord! Is He your “bff”, or your God!

In Revelation 1:13-14, we see a picture of Jesus as He is today; the Resurrected Christ, now High Priest, soon to be King eternal (at His second coming): robed with a golden sash, hair white like wool, and eyes flaming like fire.

Does this image portray your hang out buddy, the guy you take to play golf or grab a coffee and head out for a stroll with? Why are His eyes flaming?

Do you think He looks down on the world googly-eyed, tossing heart shaped confetti and proclaiming a bliss-filled party for any and all that come knocking? No! He is God! He sees all—including all the corruption, devastation, and blatant maligning of His Word—and awaits the moment of rejoicing with His redeemed, restoring creation to its original design, and, maybe especially, enacting righteous vengeance!

Yikes!

Oh, but let’s play it safe and tell those hurting, lost, sheep that nuthin’ needs to change in their lives. Jesus says so.

Is that even love?? Of course not!

When you know the truth, you are set free from deception. Being free, you long to set others free as well; not keep them chained! That’s real love! That’s life-changing love! And life-changing is the key…

Jesus said it Himself:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:5 ESV

We all know John 3:16, that it was love that sent Jesus into the world, that whoever believes in Him would not perish but what about the verses that follow?

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” 
- John 3:17-21 ESV

People love darkness. Love is complicated, it seems.

And like it or not, in God’s eyes, condemnation rests on those who are living in darkness. Jesus didn’t come to condemn, no, the condemnation was already there. He frees us from condemnation. To accept the Jesus that so loved you, requires also accepting the call out of the darkness and into the light.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say God’s love allows you to have your cake and eat it too. Come on! Real love says, “Come as you are. Be free. And sin no more!”

Nuthin’ to do means nuthin’ in God’s Kingdom.

This nonsense perpetuates darkness. It fuels sinful lifestyles. It glorifies the flesh. Call it what you want, but God’s not in it. Jesus ain’t condoning it. Must be another Jesus reflected in this cartoon…

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, 
but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, 
and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? 
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness." 
- Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

Ouch. But this is Jesus talking here, Friends. The Jesus. No one is twisting anyone’s arm to come to Him, but fear of offense and misguided love isn’t helping anyone either.

In conclusion, let it be known: I have not spoken hate by refusing to buy into a fake love.

It is in love that truth is spoken, and whether or not someone chooses to come to Jesus, we still love them right where they are at, while simultaneously hoping for and pointing them to their freedom!

Peace. God’s love hasn’t changed. And it will never fail us!

Nuthin’ else to say!