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Is Exceptionalism for Christians?  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote Christian Walk, serving God , , , , ,

Christian Exceptionalism.  What is that?   

We have all heard our President say, Americans are no more exceptional than the Germans, French, or anyone else, that there never was anything, called Amercan Exceptionalism.

He claims, everyone, every country, thinks they are exceptional.  He is mistaken.

This country was  exceptional, for 200 of our 240 year existence.

Science, math, the military, the space program, in education, in manufacturing, in every area of life, we were on top.

What happened?

We allowed God to be moved from center stage in our lives, schools, government, and entertainment, 

Instead of the majority of movies, music, TV and even church, being family friendly, we began incouraging specialized entertainment.  

Childrens, young adults, teens, young married, married, retired…  

We all watch seperate shows, listen to seperate music, even have seperate church services….

Next thing you know,   there is no unity of thought, action or expectations.

We started a backward slide.  We are no longer number 1… 

What is worse,    WE DON’T CARE.

It would be good, to make America great again.

This is not about politics…  I want to talk about CHRISTIAN EXCEPTIONALISM.

The first century Christians were exceptional, why?

Some say it was because they actually knew Jesus, or someone who had seen, heard, or touched the Lord.

They love the Apostle Paul, they accept, that he healed the sick, raised the dead, had signs and wonders following.

They forget he never knew the man Jesus before, He was resurrected.  

He met, knew, relied on, trusted in, and obeyed the same Lord as we do.

How was it that  Paul, who had never seen, heard or touched the man Jesus, was able to do, that which Jesus promised?

He was zealous in serving God.  First as a Jew, persecuting Christians, then more so, after he met the King.

Are we zealous?  I won’t speak for you, but for me, not nearly as zealous as I should be.

Oh, I pray… but not always effectual, fervent prayers, sometimes, weak, self serving, powerless, pointless, profitless prayers.

Oh, I study… but only to find a way to get the Lord to agree with me.  After all, if He would do things my way…  (His work would be done.   lol, what a fool I am).

Oh, I evangelize…  but not always where or to who He directs.

We seperate our children from adult church, after all we don’t want to bore them.

Isn’t it funny, whole families came to hear Jesus, stayed to listen for three days, had no food, but were not bored.

They were fed by the power and word of God.  We need to learn how to preach and teach Gods word in His power, not our own.

We need to become, EXCEPTIONAL CHRISTIANS.

We need to believe He is, and that He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him.  We need to become zealous in our faith.

To Know the Word, Live the Word, Pray the Word. 

 Expect signs and wonders.  He promised they would follow those who believe.

Do we believe?  The Lord could make, even this boat float.  How much more could he do with us?

Fear not, ONLY BELIEVE…   Amen

Pauls thorn?  theunfetteredpreacher

bill theunfetteredpreacher cote Christian living, serving God , , , , , ,

I have thought long and hard about writing this post, we have so many learned mens opinions on this subject.  Why do I come up with something different, and dare write it?

What kind of fool am I?  

Please comment….

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
King James Version (KJV)
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Why did he have a “Thorn in the flesh?“

So he would be humble.  “lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations.”  “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

What was the “Thorn in the flesh?”

“The messenger of Satan to buffet me.”

Not much help, we will look deeper.

He asked the Lord three times to take this “messenger of Satan,” away.

The Lords answer:  “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Pauls reaction:  “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

A thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan.  A big enough problem that he asked three times for relief.   While gladly accepting it, if Christs power would rest upon him.

So what was this thorn?

As we study the scriptures we can easily point to his eye problems, he mentions this several times.  It’s probably his eyes.

We could blame persecution, guilt from when he persecuted the church or that he received persecution.  Nope, it’s probably persecution, somehow.

It is thought it might be a sickness, like malaria, epilepsy, convulsive attacks or even a carnal temptation or depression.  Yeah, that must be it.

Why don’t we check the scriptures, The Lord said His grace is sufficient.

Let’s see if any of these combinations are in the word:   grace and persecution:  grace and sickness:  grace and healing:  

It’s funny how grace is never paired with, persecution, sickness, healing or eye problems.

In fact, the only thing I see paired up with grace, (Gods un-merited mercy, or Salvation), is SIN.

Exodus 34:9

“And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.”

Romans 5:20

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

Romans 5:21

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:1

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

Romans 6:14

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”

Romans 6:15

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”

Ephesians 1:7

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Ephesians 2:5

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

We just do not want to think that Paul might have had a sin, he could not conquer.  Just like me.

No, Paul did the  miraculous, raised the dead, healed the sick, had revelations from God.  He could not have been struggling with a secret sin.

Hebrews 1:1-2

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
Saints, I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.

Paul, like every other great man of God, was a man just like you and I.  We all struggle with sin, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Like David, Paul knew how to repent, and turn back towards God, and to walk in obedience.

We can also.   If we would.


The Lord will use those who continue to seek His face.  Do not let that sin stop, the Lord from raising you up for His service.

His “strength is made perfect in our weakness.”   Let Him make you strong.  Amen