Rabid Christianity

Rabid Christianity
Facts about being Rabid:
What does it mean to be rabid?

• Rabid: having or proceeding from an extreme or fanatical support of or belief in something. https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/rabid
  • Biblical Examples of being rabid for the Lord.
    • Daniel still prayed to God even though he knew that if he was caught doing so that he’d be thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel 6:10-28 (ERV)
      
    • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Refuse to Worship an Idol even though they knew they’d be thrown into the fiery furnace for doing so. Daniel 3 (ESV)
    • Stephen was martyred for witnessing to others and expressing his faith in God. Acts 7:54-60 (NKJV)
    • Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

How are rabies transmitted?

• The rabies virus is transmitted through direct contact. https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/transmission/index.html
  • Sin.
    • Romans 5:12 (NLT) When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
  • Salvation in Christ.
    • Galatians 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
    • Disciples making disciples. Matthew 4:19 (NLT) Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
    • Mark 16:15-16 (NIV) 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
    • Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:14-17 (NKJV)
    • Genesis 17:1-14 (NKJV) The Sign of the Covenant
    • Galatians 3:29 (NKJV) And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

What affects does rabies have on its victims?

• Rabies causes dramatic changes in the behavior of the victim.  https://mappingignorance.org/2016/08/15/rabid-aggression/
• It induces specific behaviors.   https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319735.php#2
• It induces an altered behavior. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319735.php#6
• It affects the brain in subtle ways. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319735.php#4
• This virus can reprogram a dog's behavior so it loses fear. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171011091847.htm
• So rabies does seem to literally hijack an animal’s brain. https://www.quora.com/Why-does-rabies-make-animals-aggressive
  
• Joshua 1:9 (NIV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
  
• Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
  
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
  
• 1 Peter 4:3-4 (NLT) You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 English Standard Version (ESV) 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
• Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
• Ephesians 4:17-32 (ESV) The New Life, especially consider verse 20
• 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
• 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
• Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
• In saying, “Jesus is Lord,” we commit ourselves to obey Him. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). An acknowledgement of Jesus’ lordship is logically accompanied by a submission to Jesus’ authority. If Jesus is Lord, then He owns us; He has the right to tell us what to do. https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-is-Lord.html
• Hijacked...yet God allows His followers to possess a free will and decision/opportunity to obey.

Why does it affect the victim so drastically?

• The rabies virus can drastically change its host's behavior to help spread the disease. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171011091847.htm
• This change of behavior could work to the advantage of the virus, changing the behavior of infected animals to increase the chances that infection will spread to other animals.https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171011091847.htm
• The same rabid individual might infect several other animals before it died. https://www.quora.com/Why-does-rabies-make-animals-aggressive
• To then help transmit Christianity into those you come in direct contact with. So they too can allow the Holy Spirit to cause a dramatic change in their behavior and beliefs. So they too can go spread the Good News without fear. And prayerfully Christianity will become contagious all around them. Disciples making disciples – witnessing as the cycle continues…all for His glory. 
  
• I’m not encouraging anyone to go around with your picket signs yelling, “Turn Or Burn.” Nor will I ever encourage anyone to force, harass, or annoy anyone to come to Christ.
  • Be loving. Be led by the Spirit. And allow yourself to be interruptible and available. Be rabid for Christ.