We finally watched the new Bonhoeffer movie last night. While some factual liberties were taken to imply support for what I call militant Christianity the life and death of Bonhoeffer are well documented in his own writings. He had the courage to speak Jesus truth to power in both the church and the government. And it got him killed.
Bonhoeffer stood against a church that traded the gospel for nationalism and power. Today, we face a similar deception—where faith is fused with political identity rather than allegiance to Jesus and His words. While we are not exactly Nazi Germany, you would have to be stupid or blind to truth to not see the parallels happening in the “us against them” Christian Nationalism and MAGA movements.
Somebody needs to say it.
The works of the flesh in Galatians 5 are not found, without repentance, in any Jesus follower. Me included. To ignore, excuse, support, or become linked with such is anti Jesus. Antichrist. No matter the supposed greater good or earthly kingdom it promises to make great.
The scary world leader symbolized in the book of Revelation is never given that title. Antichrist isn’t just a future world leader. The Bible defines it as a spirit that denies Jesus—not just in words, but in practice. And too often, that spirit disguises itself as “Christianity” while bearing no Jesus fruit. It’s not about what people claim; it’s about how they actually live.
1 John 2:18, 22-23 (NET)
18 Children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. We know from this that it is the last hour…
22 Who is the liar but the person who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This one is the antichrist: the person who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father either. The person who confesses the Son has the Father also.
Confessing the Son isn’t just about calling Jesus Lord. It’s about doing what He said. Obeying His commands. Fruit matters.
Matthew 7:16 (NET)
You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?
It’s popular to ostracize with disgust people who are assumed to practice the few sexual works of the flesh listed in Galatians 5, but the entire list is the disgusting opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit and the Commands of Jesus. It’s easy to condemn some sins while excusing others.
But Paul didn’t give us a pick-and-choose morality. Every work of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 is equally opposed to the Kingdom of God. Here’s the full list—without selective editing:
Works of the flesh…
- sexual immorality
- impurity
- depravity
- idolatry
- sorcery
- hostilities
- strife
- jealousy
- outbursts of anger
- selfish rivalries
- dissensions
- factions
- envying
- murder
- drunkenness
- carousing
- and similar things.
Paul makes it clear. Do any of that and you don’t inherit the Kingdom.
The Roman Empire, pagan temples, and the tables of sinners were full of such works, but Jesus never railed on them. Hypocrites, vipers, whitewashed tombs, blind guides, fools–that’s what He called those who practiced things on the “flesh works” list but considered themselves righteous and those not like them disgusting.
Sexual immorality? Would that include multiple affairs and marriages without repentance? Would depravity include becoming rich by owning casinos designed to swindle people? What about hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, and factions… if the works fit. It’s about the fruit, stupid.
Somebody needs to say it.
Jesus, Paul, or the other non-Revelation New Testament writers never went after Rome. And the book of Revelation is cryptic at best. Rome wasn’t the problem and still isn’t. Wolves in sheep’s clothing are the real danger. Beware! So how do you see through the disguises? Fruit.
Galatians 5:24-25 (NET)
Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.
It’s not what they say that matters but how they behave. Works of the flesh are proof that they don’t belong to Jesus. It’s not about being perfect but about humble repentance when not.
Caesar by any name isn’t the problem, compromise is. If you align yourself with works of the flesh you are unequally yoked with the world, not Jesus. Those who do are snakes and vipers to the real Kingdom. And we tread on them, not join them.
Luke 10:19-20 (NET)
Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.
Who is speaking truth to power in both the church and the government today? It’s not those taking selfies in the Oval Office reeking of the wrong fruit. What would Bonhoeffer be writing and saying about the American politicized church today?
The American church has more power, influence, and resources than ever before. But what fruit is it bearing? Does it look like Jesus, or does it reek of the very works of the flesh Paul warned us about? And more importantly—where do you stand? How do you live?
Somebody needs to say it.✌🏼
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