01/02/24 SEE WHERE IT GETS YOU

01/02/24 SEE WHERE IT GETS YOU

I grew up in an America that said we should not talk about religion (actually God, the Bible, salvation) and politics.
I grew up in an America that was becoming tolerant of every belief system except Biblical Christianity.
SEE WHERE THAT GOT US.

Now we live in an America that says we should not talk about Biblical Christianity and any politics other than Communism (aka Socialism, Liberalism, Progressivism).
(By the way, I use a lot of legitimate words, which are not accepted in social media because the control of language, vocabulary, definition leads to the control of society).
Now we live in an America that openly approves of every religion except Biblical Christianity and Judaism; and in fact promotes other religions, especially Statism, while persecuting Bible believers).

I started on FB in 2009. I lost a lot of friends (even professed Christians) because I lifted up my voice in opposition to the wickedness and the wicked leaders (political, religious, academic and social) of the day. 

I had been as vocal in the previous 44 years of ministry, but I obviously did not reach as many people before social media. Some of my losses came before social media because I stood against Statism and Secular Humanism in the schools, media, government and Americanized Christianity. Folks thought I was too radical and they did not want to be associated with me. They feared the State and society. They were brain washed into thinking that freedom of speech and separation from Secular Humanism was not Biblical.
SEE WHERE THAT GOT US.

I not only raised my voice in the preaching and teaching of God's word, I led my people in Christian response (lifestyle, education, State/Faith issues) concerning the evils of the day. As a result, as I said, I lost friends. I also lost family and church folks. My heart aches for the folks I have loved and lost along the way. They not only abandoned the truths of God's word, they often became enemies of those who continue to walk in Biblical light, while loving those who turned against them. Remember, Jesus said that our enemies would be those of our own household, but we must love God more than we love our own flesh and blood.

It has been (and is) costly to follow Jesus. But it is more costly to not follow Jesus. Throughout history, and even today, throughout the world we see the boot of oppression on the necks of Christians.

The proof of salvation is in love, from a pure heart, which turns from sin and follows Christ at all costs.

The end result of something is brought about by our earlier response to that something. We won't accidentally end up in a right relationship with God, nor will a right relationship with God come about because God predestined us, against our will, to trust Him. However, God did predestine those who trust Him to be conformed to the image of His Son and to depart from evil.

I have hated evil and the "isms" of evil, though I have loved those who are blinded, or are deceived by their "isms" (political, religious, academic, cultural, philosophical). However, those who are followers of "isms" are not loving and friendly and accepting of Bible believing, Christ following, sin hating Christians.

It hurts when others turn against us, but it will happen. God's word says that those who live godly will suffer persecution, but we are to rejoice when we are hated, rejected and even attacked by our enemies. Again, we do not end up having this loving response without a commitment to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, strength and love our neighbor as ourselves, and yes, love our enemies, not only in word, but in deed.

Jesus told us to pay attention to the signs and we can see the storms coming. Pay attention. It looks like we are headed for a bad time. Though the following prophecy applies to various aspects of life, especially the end times, it is appropriate to our present situation. Jesus may not come for another thousand years (though I doubt this to be true), or He may come today (which is possible), but in any case,
Luke 21:25-28
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.