Kevin Schmidt

In the Old Testament we read a lot about the nation of Israel. This nation was chosen by God for a purpose. That purpose was to let all other nations and people know who the true God of Israel was and that they, too, could come to know him in a personal way.

In Deuteronomy 32:10, we see God’s recollection of his people and he says, “He found him in the desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye.” Again in Psalm 17:8, we see King David recount that he was a part of God’s people and said, “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.” The nation of Israel was a group of people who were in a special place in God’s eyes. 

As we get to Ezekiel chapter 25, we see many Gentile nations begin to treat the nation of Israel in a bad way. They rejoice over Israel’s captivity, and they exhibit a hostile attitude toward them; they take vengeance on them, and display hatred for these people. In summary, they begin a bashing of God’s special people, Israel. In Ezekiel 25:17, God says he will execute judgment upon them because of this. I believe from the Old Testament we see a principle that God lays down. He is not pleased when we begin to bash the people of God.

Now in the time we live in, we are not the Israel of God, but the church. The church in our time holds a very special place in God’s eye just like Israel does. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we become Christians. That means that all Christians, no matter what church we are from, are God’s special people.

We as a church have forgotten this and we begin to get caught up in what I call, “Christian bashing.” That means oftentimes we start to develop malicious joy — gloating and revengeful thoughts towards each other. Instead of seeing each other as the apple of God’s eye, we see each other as enemies and treat one another that way.

If you are a Christian, then it is time for us to lay aside our “Christian bashing” and see each other how God does and treat each other this way. God, help us to be the people you have called us to be.          

If you are not a Christian, you can become one by knowing: 1. That you, too, are a sinner before God, Romans 3:23; 2. That the penalty of your sin is death, Romans 6:23; 3. That Jesus who is God paid the penalty of your sin on the cross, Romans 5:8; 4. That your part is to accept Jesus as your saviour, John 1:12.

After considering this, if you want to become a Christian and follow Jesus, I leave you with this prayer to say to invite Jesus into your life: “Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and deserve to be punished for my sins. I believe that you paid for my sins and I want to receive your gift of eternal life. By my faith in you, I put my life in your hands as my savior and Lord, Amen.”   

(Kevin Schmidt is the pastor of Charity Baptist Church in Powell.)