James and John felt as justified as Aaron and Melissa Klein. The rejection by the Samaritan village was as much an abomination to James and John as the lifestyle of the couple asking the for a cake was to the Kleins. But they know not what manner of spirit they are. They think it is righteous but it is not. They think it is just zeal for the Lord but it is not. It is anger and revenge beloved. It does not have to be conscious - remember they know not what manner of spirit they are. When I hear well intended Christians defending the Kleins with the pretense of love and preaching the Gospel I am reminded that they are building off of the same hypocrisy of former saints. Saints who do not observe the difference of persons, times and things. The wisdom of how to wield the truth is more important than the mere knowledge of possessing it. Knowledge without application is useless. The Bible is a two edged sword all on its own. It is not meant to be a blunt instrument to smack sinners over the head with.
It is a terrible thing to fall under the wrath of God. There is no question beloved. On the last day, many will sadly find out that it is too late. It is however quite sad to be sinners in the hands of an angry baker. To be called an abomination by that angry baker. To be told by the angry baker that you offend him. To have the angry baker refuse to bake you a cake. All while spewing Bible verses at you which you do not understand anyway. Driving you further and further away from the only one who can truly save you. The angry God Jonathan Edwards preached about is quite real and awaits all who have rejected Him on the day of judgment. But God is not only angry and wrathful. He is also loving, merciful and full of grace. He does not want to see any perish but all come to repentance. Our job is to preach the Gospel with love. Not a compromising love. A truthful love. They are going to have enough to deal with an angry God. They do not need an angry baker too. I might add here - how consistent was the angry baker?
There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. - Proverbs 6: 16-19 (ESV)
Were they checking for everything that was an abomination unto the Lord? I mean if this is really about the Gospel. Were they refusing anyone with haughty eyes or a lying tongue? Schemers and false witnesses? Discord sowers? The Bible also lists the following as not inheriting the kingdom: the unrighteous, sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers. Were the Kleins just as offended by these folks and refuse to bake them a cake? Somehow I seriously doubt it. This is not to say they should have been on the lookout for all of these because that is not their role. They were bakers by choice. Their role was to bake. Knowing that anyone of these types of sinners could walk in at anytime and ask them to bake. Oh beware"beware! To be sinners in the hands of an angry baker"
Reverend Anthony Wade - February 18, 2015.
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