BACKBONE OR WISHBONE

July 1  “Backbone or Wishbone”  1 Timothy 4:1-3

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,  speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”         (1Timothy 4:1-3)

Most Christians have a thorough understanding, from the scriptures, that we (the Christian Church) are the Body of Christ.  Now, we know that our human bodies can survive without some of its parts, or members.  Some of us have even lost internal organs and are living an almost normal life.  Some have lost external parts and are living almost normal lives.  So, from this, we know that the body can function without some parts, but will function with a handicap.  So, also, the Body of Christ is at a great handicap when all of the parts are not there.  However, there is one concerning thing about the Body of Christ today, and that is that some are trying to make the Body of Christ function without a “Backbone!”  A “Backbone is essential in the human body, and it is also essential in the Body of Christ!  It is one of those things that you simply cannot get along without!  A body without a “Backbone will fall for sure!  Our “Backbone is what makes it possible for us to stand tall.  It actually keeps our chin from landing on our toes.  We have all heard the expression, “He doesn’t have any “Backbone!”  That means that person cannot stand up against any opposition.  He is afraid or cowardly.  I fully believe that many Christians have lost their “Back bone” and have replaced it with a “Wishbone!”  A “Wishbone” is better known, in religious circles, as a “Jawbone!”  People are always using their “Jawbones” wishing that souls could be saved, and that the church could do greater things for the Lord, but that is as far as it goes.  Souls can be saved and churches can do greater things for the Lord, but it will be when people have enough “BACKBONE” to support the Lord’s work the way they are supposed to.  “Wishbone” Christians are generally always discouraged.  Those who have a “Wishbone” in the place of a “Backbone” will always live in a dream world of wishing, but those who face reality and have “Backbone” to face reality; will do more than just wish, they will not be discouraged because of things they cannot have or do.  It takes “Backbone” to oppose the majority in this world.  Without a “Backbone,” we find ourselves blending in to this world.  We are called to be “Fortified” in our struggle against Evil and that requires a “SPIRITUAL BACKBONE!”  Our generation and in our present day, we need men like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who will refuse to join in with the crowd and refuse to bow to the Evil of the day!  Not only does it take a “Backbone” to oppose the world (evil), it requires a “Backbone” to stay on course!  “Backbone to “Wishbone” and back and forth will create much issue.  We, as Christians, who are traveling the “HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS” cannot and must not sway back and forth!  The activities of the day, the sensitivity of the world to everything, the opposition to all that in good and noble, the blurring of what is right and what is wrong, the sacrifice of common sense and the general demise of civil discourse, requires us to be Strong in the Lord and to have a “RIGID SPIRITUAL BACKBONE!”  My daddy told me, over and over, “A man that stands for nothing; will fall for anything!”  I, for one, am dedicated to continuing to strengthen my “BACKBONE” and continue to be a loud voice, for Jesus, in this confused and chaotic world.  Please God, give us strength to grow, vision to serve and power to proclaim!  To do this, we must be surrendered to God, consumed by His Son, Jesus, and lead by the Holy Spirit, so that we can, indeed, have a “SPIRITUAL BACKBONE!”  What God does with you, depends upon what you do!  It Always has; It Always will!! Be sure, be productive and continue to share the Love of God with others!  To God Be the Glory!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!