Monday, July 20, 2015

Erasing Lines

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  II Peter 1:10-11
Many Christians today feel like things are spiraling out of control in the world.  It seems we are erasing lines we promised we would never cross and compromising the principles that this country was founded on.  Often lately it feels as if things are going downhill fast and the prospect of it ever going the other direction is slim.  We may be looked down upon because of our beliefs.  We shouldn’t be surprised by this.  Jesus told us this would happen.  The end times are getting closer and we were told that we would be persecuted and discriminated against. 

The future of America begins with God’s people
Immature and spiritually empty Christians will never lead America back to God. II Chronicles 7:14 is not a call to those who deny God but to His people. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Passive discipleship will not create the witness needed for change in America.  Christians must both display the fruit of their salvation and defend the absolute truths of God and His Word. Compromising our values and morals may help Christians be accepted by men but will never help men get accepted by God.

What is lacking in America today is not more laws but better character.  The value of a name is not defined by material possessions or political or social position, but character.  All of the money in the world can’t buy trust in a handshake.  Lawyers are raking in dollars because there is no trust left in America because there is no character in her people. Politicians and public figures are telling us we should disregard the moral, ethical and social failures of leaders because it is none of our business.  But it is our business when our government is built on trusting these individuals to make disciplined decisions that support the values of our families and communities.

People of character shape their lives to the absolute truths of God, not the relative opinions of men. The world today (and many Christians with them) rationalize their actions and demand much more than TOLERANCE.  Tolerance is defined as: a fair and permissive attitude toward those whose race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry; a fair and permissive attitude toward opinions and practices that differ from one's own.         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Tolerance is not ACCEPTANCE or APPROVAL.  Acceptance and approval are steps beyond tolerance.  Tolerance still carries a sense of separation. Humanistic Rationalism has become Social Nationalism.  If you disagree, you are un-American. They firmly believe that no matter how warped your conscience is that wrong is relative.  It’s only wrong if it’s wrong to you.  Some of these issues will probably never be resolved.  Things are changing.  Compromise will be necessary for peace.  But can we as Christians compromise without compromising our beliefs, and will we even have a choice?

Scripture to Claim:
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.   II Peter 1:3-4

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