I generally avoid talking about religion or politics (mainly because they SHOULD not be mixed), but a recent conversation with someone, and current issues in the news have gotten me to the point where I cannot keep my mouth closed anymore!!! Baptist minister Robert Jeffress is now in the same category as Harold Camping, a clown and a crackpot preacher. I am not attacking the Baptist faith by any means, my roots go back to the Baptist church and I honor my heritage daily. I know I should not judge, because Jesus said,” Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” However, I have been to Ringling Brothers and know a clown when I see it, and I have been to Pier One and can spot a cracked pot. This man no more knows the mind and will of God than Big Bird. I’ll bet he can tell you what the going rate on “salvation” is though.
I do not know how he voted or who he endorsed in 08, but I bet he didn’t vote for Obama because he is a democrat. He does not feel that Mitt Romney is a suitable candidate because he is a Mormon (a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). I am not sure what other categories he falls into, but religiously speaking, I believe, the word is bigot. He branded “Mormonism” as a “cult.” Maybe it is by a roundabout definition. However by that definition, what is he??? He also said Mitt Romney is a "good" and "moral" person, but "that does not make him a Christian," SO??? Is Mitt running to be a minister? Is he looking to instill Mormonism into the government of the United States??? He sure didn’t do so in Massachusetts. Don’t mistake this tirade as an endorsement of Mitt Romney, I have no idea yet who I will vote for in the next election. However, let me be clear on this. If I thought that Romney was going to follow an LDS agenda, I would not vote for him. “Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” The office of the President of the United States of America is not the place for preaching, proselyting, or instilling morals on others. It should not prohibit that from happening either within the limits of the constitution. The office should be run constitutionally only. Do your proselyting in church, and with your families.
This man, “Dr.” Jeffress is an idiot, and anything that he is, or claims to be, and not endorse, is almost a perfect barometer as for who maybe I should give consideration. I detest everything about the man, from his “I’m born again and you’re not” look of condescension, to his phony “I care about you” smile. He is a bottom feeder in religion, and I would suggest any of his congregation or followers to discontinue association with him. He uses Jesus as his own personal cloak, badge, and shield as if he himself were the one who hung on the cross. He uses the Bible as a loophole to say what he himself believes, and uses his association with his church as a megaphone to say which candidate is right.
I would not ask him, or trust his answers as to what he thinks a “Mormon” believes. I believe he would use half truths, lies, and innuendo to say things that support his words. I think he has about the same accuracy in what a Mormon believes as the Broadway play The Book of Mormon does. He might look at what Romney does support and turn a blind eye to what he believes religiously. He might find that Romney’s background values support the values that he purports to follow, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” I think Jeffress should stay out of politics, and find a job more suited to his talents. I am SURE there is a car lot out there that needs a salesman. He gives the word “Christian” a bad taste, and if he is what a Christian is, count me out. However, who is he to define the word Christian? I am not by any means hanging this tirade on all Baptist preachers. I believe that the vast majorities are servants of God, but this one, his type sickens me. He can twist scripture to his own agenda, like Pat Robertson or the heretic Fred Phelps. I wonder where this talent comes from, I doubt it is supernal. Just because he is a Baptist preacher does not qualify him to be the mouthpiece of Jesus on Earth. I will leave the mind and will of Jesus Christ to Jesus himself.
If he does not believe I am a Christian, I can live with that, I DON’T WANT TO BE associated in the same category as the likes of him. I know what I believe, I know what I am, and I know who holds the keys of MY salvation. It is most definitely NOT this Bozo. He does not even have a map to my salvation, which is a personal relationship that I have with my Savior. It is not my social associations with a group; it is who I gave myself to. Who the HELL is Jeffress to be able to be my judge??? I advise him to be careful, because he is making his own measuring stick by which he will be measured. As to his association with his church and his office, that I feel he has abused, I believe this says it all. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
To clarify, I do not put myself above Jeffress or any of his congregation, or any of you. I know that I am a sinner, and I know that I have said and done things that are not right in the sight of God. I may be hell bound too, but I am NOT going to be bullied anymore. I am not going to be a voiceless victim of the opinions of others, and roll over and take it. I have turned the other cheek too many times. I will not proselyte the unwilling, or shove my beliefs down their throat. I will follow my conscience, and allow you to do the same without my two cents, unless asked for my opinion or beliefs. Don’t suppose to hang a special careful moniker on me, or tell me what I am, or tell me YOU know where I am going, or who I really worship. YOU DON’T KNOW and it is NOT your place to know, or to presume to assign MY position in the eternities. You did not hang on that cross, and you simply do not hold that authority. If I do or do not make it to see the throne of God, it will be because I was judged by the only One who has that authority and that is good with me. I will trust that, and I will trust in Him.
