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Luis Alberto Alves
In 1 Kings 18:36-39 it is written: “Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and it will be that the god who answers by fire will be God. And all the people answered, saying, This word is good.” His prayer caused the Lord to respond with fire from heaven, consuming the burnt offering and licking up the water” in the celebrated battle between the prophet Elijah and the worshipers of Baal.
But verse 37 gives us a great lesson in faith when Elijah prays, "Answer me, Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you are the Lord God, and that you have turned their heart." This text portrays Elijah's fierce battle against the worshipers of Baal, which did so much harm to the people of Israel.
But after so many years, are there not many Christians these days worshiping two masters? Elijah challenged on Mount Carmel that the God who consumed the holocaust with fire should be worshiped. Courageous was not afraid to have water poured over the altar where the holocaust was, at a time when water was rare, because of the drought.
Faith
Unfortunately today there are many people worshiping Baal, even though they are members of evangelical churches. The body is in the cult, but the spirit is still trapped in the world. They have no connection with the celestial spheres. They have already cooled down and have not realized how far they are from Jesus Christ. They died spiritually slowly.
Today, when they come across a brother full of anointing, they end up calling him a fundamentalist, a crazy person, a fanatical “believer”, because he only talks about Jesus, dresses like a Christian, behaves as every Christian should behave, has no language worldly and is not ashamed to speak of Christ's love to anyone.
The Christian who behaves like Elijah usually has few friends. Because his faith in the Lord makes people uncomfortable. He is someone who does not miss an opportunity to talk about God, where he puts his feet. He avoids participating in an event where the dirt of the world is present. He wastes no time in the wheel of scoffers.
Mad
The Bible itself reports that Elijah was lonely. He was not a prophet who aroused the curiosity of the crowd. In fact, the crowds, since that time, only like anyone who can offer something good, they are never happy with Jehovah's correction. The famous staff. For them, the good shepherd is the one who puts his hands on the sheep's head, pretending not to see his sin.
Even over the course of several centuries, this stance has not changed. People only like the blessings offered by Jesus Christ. Refuse your corrections. When this happens, they are furious. They classify Christ as an evil God, for he does not agree with error.
It is in this context that a Christian who behaves like Elijah is called crazy. He's not someone who deserves attention. Since he goes against the grain of the world. He criticizes what is wrong, what is outside the precepts established by God. He is critical of the entrance of worldly customs into the church of Christ.
Happiness
The current Gospel, with the exception, to try to keep the temples full, and of course with an eye on offerings and tithes, decided to close its eyes to the sins of its members. As long as you contribute financially to that ministry, it's okay to drink, smoke, play gambling, prostitute yourself, watch pornographic movies, listen to satanic songs and participate in all that is wrong.
The valid thing is to put the money in the envelope and that's ok. Women can wear clothes that would embarrass prostitutes, and that's fine. After all, the beautiful body, the work of Christ, needs to be admired on the streets, with the legs sporting microskirts or very short shorts and tops showing part of the breasts. Makeup can be loaded too, after all, the beautiful face created by God needs to be seen well.
In fact, it is wrong, in the view of this pseudo Christian gospel, for the member to try to behave like Jesus, keeping away from everything that is wrong in the eyes of the Lord. After all, He told us that we are in this world, but we don't belong on this planet. We shouldn't contaminate ourselves with the dirt that exists around here.
Courage
It is in this tune that the Gospel became fashionable. Today anyone calls himself an evangelical. Clear from the mouth out, because the inside remains dirty and rotten, without any change. It is normal for artists to open their mouths and say they are Christians, without realizing that their attitudes demonstrate the opposite, because of the bad testimony.
These are people who continue to worship Baal, as in the time of Elijah. But who is Baal these days? There are many. They are present in companies, through the corrupt, lying, malicious employee when creating contention and intrigue among his colleagues and even deceiving the boss, by pretending to work.
It is also present in schools and colleges. Where in the search for good grades, many students turn to the internet to copy works and present to the teacher, as if they had done all that. What matters is ensuring a good grade in the report card. Studying is for a straight student. There's nothing wrong with doing this.
Wedding
This Baal is found in courtships, when the couple has sexual relations even before marriage, in a clear sign of fornication, which the Word of God condemns. Some even say that this is fine, after all they are getting married. So it's worth taking the sexual test drive. According to them, in this story it is God who is wrong.
The same happens in some marriages, where husband and wife live like boxers, attacking each other verbally and physically. And when Sunday comes, they go to church as if they were two ultra spiritual people, pretending in front of the other brothers that they are full of anointing.
Baal also attacks in traffic, when several evangelical drivers throw the car over the pedestrian even with a green light for him to pass. Some even roll down the window and swear. They also do not admit any closing, as they soon respond in the same currency. No matter the denomination, there are a lot of drivers that fit this question.
Adolescent
The demon Baal swims a stroke in the lives of many teenagers and young evangelicals. So as not to look bad in front of the class, they agree with the mistake and accept to eat the lentil dishes offered by them. This converse is true for boys and girls. The valid thing is to agree with the error, even the Holy Spirit warning that it does not please the Lord.
Some say that being a Christian like Elijah is boring. The Gospel, in their view, needs to be light. Naturally accept sin. After all, Jesus is mercy and because of Grace, we will all go to Heaven. Therefore, it is necessary to enjoy the pleasures of the world and God forgives, because He is good. When a young man looks like Elias in this class, he is soon discriminated against. They call him a boring believer.
The cool thing is the Christian like Baal, accepts to do everything that is wrong. He is not faithful to Jesus. Just when he thinks of conquering something. At this time he will pray, fast until he gets what he needs. Blessing in hand, Jesus Christ is kicked aside. He returns to the sea of mud, from which he never left, for he did not accept the counsels of Christ.
Challenge
Scandals erupt every day involving evangelicals, mainly cases of aggression, homicide, corruption, prostitution, drug trafficking and consumption and all kinds of dirt that makes Jesus horrified. For it is committed by people who claim to be servants of God. The news doesn't lie. It is not the invention of the press, which does not like Christians.
There are currently few Elijahs. People who come face to face. They accept to pay the price of serving Jesus, regardless of the situation. They prefer to be called straight, crazy, clueless, fanatical rather than pleasing the darkness. They are brothers who invest time in prayer, in climbing the mountain, in fasting, reading and meditating on the Word of the Lord.
In this world full of technological advancement, the Elias row in reverse. For they prefer to use this material to glorify the Kingdom of God. They don't spend time on bullshit, futility that adds nothing to the Christian's life. Don't waste your time on anything that is futile. They prefer to always look to the Lord and stay in tune with him.
Holocaust
In this context my brother and sister, are you brave to face Baal, who is the devil himself, in a battle where it will be necessary to show that you are someone of faith? Do you have the strength to look at satan and say that the blood of Christ is covering you and you will come out victorious in this war? Are you willing to face the demons out of hell to cause chaos in this world?
If you come across someone possessed by evil spirits in your college, college, neighborhood, work or even on the subway or bus, do you have Elijah's courage to pray to God and fire falls to burn that evil? Are you confident that God will hear your prayer? Do you have credit in Heaven? Are you sure that Jehovah will hear your cry?
Do you believe that when you lift your hands towards Heaven, the Lord will obey you and pour out the consuming fire from there? Are you aware that you still enjoy intimacy with God? That within your heart the fire of the Holy Spirit burns and in your mind you hear beautiful praises that please the Lord? Do you believe that you're someone standing on the Rock?
Confidence
Elijah prayed and in seconds, fire descended from Heaven and burned the holocaust, with the flames consuming everything that was there. Even in a scenario completely contrary to reason. A man before 950 soldiers of the devil. If God didn't have love for Elijah, he would be slaughtered, his body ripped apart. But the man of God was confident and the Lord answered the prayer made there.
Are you sure you really are well anointed to face the devil's troops? What pleases the Lord, instead of remaining trapped in Baal's charms? It is someone who has chosen to serve Jesus, regardless of the disapproval of the world, including colleagues and wolves disguised as sheep in the church.
Are you sure someone is a jack of all trades in the fight to plunder hell? Who has the autonomy to act against evil without fearing the devil's threats? Who is concerned only with the judgment of the Lord, leaving in the background what people think about him. He is a warrior for Christ.
If you are sure, pray like this: “Jesus, use me as You want, no matter where I am. I just want to obey you and be your witness. To be an Elijah in this rotten world to defeat Baal in all the ways he manifests. And even when it seems lonely, your love will comfort me and show that I am your child. The strength and faith that the Lord gave to Elijah, pour out on me, always.” Amen.
Luís Alberto Alves is a pastor.
