The recent Greek elections show us Biblical truth again.
The western democracies stand aside and watch the Greek populace battle with financial collapse , personally and politically. But what was the reason for this crisis? Why?
The biblical battle of pride and religion. It is the social and religious tension between having either “Hellenism” – Greek knowledge and philosophy-or ” Christ” in their lives. As exampled in “Jews look for miracles and Greeks look forwisdom,but we preach Christ crucified. A stumbling block ...”-1Cor.1:22-3
Yes they had “religion” in their lives, but not “centered in Christ and His Word “. The Greek Orthodox Church ( most definitely typed with Capital letters !) is an institution very strong and dominant in Greek culture, pervading all levels of their modern society.
But the church service that the hungry people attend and draw their faith , beliefs and knowledge from , is steeped in blind human traditions and smoke. This is in reference to the burning utensil which gives smoke for the Holy Spirit as it is waved in their ceremony of glittering gold vestments , utensils and obligatory black beards.
With all the service visible before them where is the chance to ” search their hearts” for deep spiritual answers? Where is the presence and work of the Holy Spirit?It is a church service “empty of power”. Eph. 1:13″ you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth,the gospel of your salvation.Having believed you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit…”. But if they don’t hear , they don’t believe, and remain un-saved by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The second commandment ” do not make any idol in the form of anything ” is ignored in the Eastern Orthodox churches (many worship “holy relics or gold-plated icons “) – and in the Roman Catholic church as well. “UN-rejuvenated, un-spiritual human nature”, manifesting in personal pride, is the result.
As in another previous blog ( the nearness of God) their ministers of God have sacrificed the Power of the living Word Of God for their worldly trappings of their high office. Their minds are “puffed up with ” their own righteousness”. Their congregation leave ( possibly deceived) hard- hearted and only half -fed of with the hope of a living god and the comfort of the Holy Spirit of the bible to over-come their personal needs.
This national crisis , which was featured in the media when it commenced, was caused by people , and corporations – such as their prosperous shipping companies- not paying their taxes to support the modern life-style of the nation. Successive governments had been elected out of office because of attempting to bring in fiscal responsibility to the nation.
The Greek Orthodox ministers should have had more reverence for the Holy Bible, the “Truth in the Word Of God ‘, and less in their own character- roles. If the New Testament had been consistently studied in their congregations, they would know that their God- given responsibility is , as even Jesus Him-Self said , is” to pay tax to whom- ever it is due” – this is to either government or to God .Mth.22:21
Allowing the work of the Holy Spirit , and hearing the Word- in the ear and heart- at the right “God” time , such as 2Cor. 1:12-” Our conscience testifies that we have conducted our-selves…in the holiness and sincerity that are from God…not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s Grace” – could have stopped the tax evasive habits of many Greeks.
The well-publicized church riots of “Pussy Riot” were a needed wake up call from the young generation to their hard Orthodox ministers. The Russian Orthodox Church is reported to be compliant to their militant Government. Where is the love?(of Christ? -This is not Christianity!)
If a humble Spirit had been planted in the Greek congregations over the generations , their calamity would have been avoided as in other democracies. But consistently , the biblical ” agnostics” ,the so- called ” knowledgeable ones” of logic and philosophy – have been in opposition to the ministry of Jesus and the Holy Spirit from the beginning.
We all love ” the love and enthusiasm for life” , in music, food and culture- that the Greek nation gives to the world. But too much of the world’s pride – gives way to disaster! Remember “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord”1 Cor.1:31
1 Cor., Chapter 2 – talking to Greeks ( again) in Corinth- has a parallel meaning , entitled ” wisdom from the Spirit” such as 1 Cor.2:4 “My (Paul’s ) message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstrationof the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.
” Faith is the evidence of things un-seen , and “hope” is the substance of things hoped for”. All that is needed is the Word Of God. Not much more can be said . It doesn’t cost much money either ; it’s a gift. I will stop now.
But do you get the message? Amen!