There is a whole heap of wrong in this teaching based on it's logic alone, not to mention that it is directly opposing to God's word. Their largest argument is that God's word is handy but not anything more than that. Well, for those of us enlightened and unblinded by the Holy Spirit, God's word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119). You can seen then how difficult it would be for me to feel "welcome or included" when from the pulpit every weekend is a message attacking what I believe and cherish and know as absolute truth. Instead this church has felt the need to "educate" the community that exclusive claims, but more specifically, Christian exclusive claims are brutal and shouldn't be making anyone feel guilty anymore.
They don't just limit this to the pulpit, they utilize what other churches are typically made fun of: their church sign statements. My favorite cheezy church sign was always the one that said, "Sign's broken, message inside." This church doesn't have cheezy statements, they have very offensive statements that specifically bash Christian teaching. For example: "God is a verb, YOU are the noun" (excuse me while I throw up a little...)
All this to say, my blood boils when I see the Word of God spit on, and when the name of Christ is defamed. I get so angry sometimes thinking, "is there something I should do to stop this!?" I want to take a sledge hammer to their sign sometimes, but that would only give them "material" to bash Christianity again. It is not worth minimizing the Glory of God for my own selfish and fleshly want for retaliation and vengeance. Psalm 5 is God's way of saying, "you may have your bullies, but I am God, remember?"
Verses 1-3 ( and also Psalm 4 which precedes this) act for David similar to what I just did above. "God, please hear me because my enemies are overbearing... hear my groaning, I'm so tired of how they take my honor and your name and make it to be shame."
But notice what David writes after this (God's inspired word through David):
4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies;
the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
9 For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
It is almost as if David stopped himself, talking himself down, if you will, by proclaiming that evil and wickedness cannot be in the presence of God. God looks out for those who he saves, who he has poured our his abundant love on. The bullies; those who replace the truth with lies, they have it coming to them, it is just a matter of time. David knows that they have chosen to rebel, and he knows what happens to them based solely on who God is and his holiness.
David finishes with a great bit of encouragement in 11 and 12. We, who take refuge in the Lord are covered with God's favor and his shield. God blesses the righteous and we are righteous ONLY because of Christ Jesus and believing in Him and his atoning sacrifice on the cross.
So next time you feel like getting revenge or retaliation on the bullies in this world who are trying (yes TRYING) to defame the name of Christ. Sit back and relax. It's like you are holding pocket aces and they are sitting across the table trying to beat you with a 2 and 7 off suit and bluffing. They will spit and sneer and try to get you to fold, but you know that it is just a matter of time before the cards are played and they lose miserably. (please don't read into this analogy too much, it's meant to be a simple way of saying that they can't win)
The truth is, it really is just a matter of time. As followers of Christ in the face of the world, we are called numerous times to "wait" on the Lord and he will renew our strength (Isa 40:31). We combat injustice and untruth with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5): Patience, and Self-control being two key fruits pertaining to this. It really is just a matter of time when we will be in the presence of the Lord and Philippians 2:9-11 will play true even to the leader of this truth killing church: even he will bow the knee someday and recognize that Christ is Lord. In that day, it will be too late for him, but it is not too late now. I pray that for him and for the people who are following his teaching that they quickly realize the error of their teaching and repent, recognizing Jesus Christ as the ONLY way, the ONLY truth, and the ONLY life, but encompassing all of that: HE IS OUR ONLY WAY TO BE RECONCILED TO OUR HOLY GOD, if we receive this gift of his sacrifice for our sins by faith. Have you done that?
Lord, please work a miracle in this community. We know that your fame will be superior and that you will not stand to see evil prevail. Work in us Lord and empower us to show the Love of Christ so powerfully that the message coming from false teachers will be muted. We ask this in the only name that has authority, the only name that has dominion over all, the only name by which we are saved: Jesus Christ the Lord, amen.
