Luke 14:26-35 KJVS
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. [27] And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. [28] For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it ? [29] Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, [30] Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. [31] Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? [32] Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. [33] So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. [34] Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? [35] It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Zechariah 7:8-14 KJVS
And the word of the Lord came unto Zechariah, saying, [9] Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: [10] And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. [11] But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. [12] Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. [13] Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: [14] But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.
Good morning! I pray that the words blesses you today. I look to be a servant of the Lord in a dark hour in history. America 2020. In these days we are pulled in different directions. We look to prioritise ourselves into groups and subgroups within our nation. We see the artistry of a creator who created all of the tones of our skin yet when we look deeper we see that under the canvas we are very much the same. We all do many of the same things in different ways.
The bible comprised of all 66 books shows us two different periods of how God looks to declare both his glory and his great love and compassion for a people who too often take both for granted. While God remains to be the same people are hard hearted and often fickle. Looking back on history we see the great measures that it took for God to express and ensure that mankind would be able know him. Know his righteousness, know his persistence, know his great love.
Jesus said follow me. He didn’t say, follow your nation. He didn’t say follow your parents. He didn’t say follow your wife or your children or your churches. He certainly didn’t say follow your heart. If we don’t pick up the cross and follow Jesus, we can not be his disciples. I would like to point out that Jesus was not saying to his listeners nor us to literally hate anyone. He was readying his followers to be told that they will be told by those close to them that true adherence to what Jesus spoke will look like hate in comparison to what society and culture expects out of you.
Hebrews 4:12 KJVS
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Too often we look to the bible to endorse our own view on how we live. We like to that just because God used us that he ordained the whole way we live our lives. Many times we credit God for the good and Satan for the bad. Imagine if the Lord never spoke to the prophets, the Hebrews who went into captivity, they too could have thought that their miss fortune was to be accredited to the works of the devil and not the works of the people and the punishment of the Lord.
I would like to point out that when God gave the Hebrews their country he knew from the beginning that it was a failed experiment. While Abraham was of such great faith he was chosen just as we are through the foreknowledge that he would follow the commands the Lord gave him even unto offering up his only son for sacrifice not to play a mean joke but show the world of Abrahams faith and the Lord would provide the sacrifice. Because of Abrahams faith the Lord never stopped extending his hand to the children of Israel. Even as they are now blind to his grace today those who accept it he blesses them as natural branches. Yes the Lord gave the children of Israel the example of what one nation under God would look like.
As we move onto God’s covenant with the gentiles. He fully removes all notion that you should align yourself with any nation. There is no calling to follow any other people who are fully fallible. No man or religion can bring you closer to a relationship with God. We can point the direction but in the end each individual will have to make that choice. Not your family, not your church, not your country.
1 Corinthians 3:3-7 KJVS
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? [4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? [5] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? [6] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. [7] So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
For this reason I believe that any idea that there ever was a Christian nation under God is misguided. Such thinking is carnal thinking. You can not defend the word of God through carnal warfare! Yes I believe that many were gathered together in America to further God’s word but when we seek worldly freedom we miss the mark. We see from the beginning that there was much blood spilled in our beginning. This wasn’t for the glory of God in that he blessed the adventure to be free from taxation without representation or free from being hated by ungodly men. The bible said pay your taxes, even to wicked rulers such as the Caesars. Jesus said
And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22 KJVS)
If we were truly a Christian nation then we would have more compassion. From the beginning we brought slavery with us. I know that many countries practiced slavery but in America we were cruel in not even considering those we stole from their lands who were free, and abused to be human beings. If we were a Christian nation then we would be just as concerned about the children ragged and malnourished raped from another land strangers seeking refuge yet finding this “one nation under god” to be as full of hate and discontent as their own. Yes even the fatherless are oppressed within our own country, the poor are burdened with various fines and taxes while those with money seek to avoid paying anything at all most times.
In a time of dividing people by left or right; I’m not saying either side is more or less godly as both indulge in the same sexual sins, both have prejudices against each other. Both neglect the children in either ending life before it starts or denying that every child has basic needs.
James 2:5-6,8-16 KJVS
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? [6] But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? [8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: [9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. [10] For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. [11] For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. [12] So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. [13] For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. [14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, [16] And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
I’m not saying that one can always feed everyone. Too often we stand in the way of feeding our brothers in the name of capitalism and condemn socialism. Not withstanding that if God were to set up a godly nation (which he has) he would not make charity a choice. It would be in the way of forced taxation of the more fortunate for those who have not been so lucky.
Deuteronomy 14:22-29 KJVS
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. [23] And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. [24] And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee: [25] Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose: [26] And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, [27] And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. [28] At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: [29] And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
We would be wise to also note that self defence by the way of the gun is also not a Christian concept. Do I believe a nation has a right to boarders and and defending itself? Yes, but as a nation. Does God look poorly on Christians serving their country? No way. But we have already established that Christ was not here to establish a country. Those who go about defending their country defend their country not God.
Matthew 26:51-53 KJVS
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. [52] Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. [53] Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Luke 9:51-56 KJVS
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, [52] And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. [53] And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. [54] And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? [55] But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. [56] For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
Matthew 5:3-13,19 KJVS
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. [13] Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men…. [19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
At this moment in American history if the church is the salt, and if we lost our flavor, is man or Satan pushing the church out of America, or has the salt grown tasteless and being cast out?
As always I write this for love of my creator, and those he loved enough to give his son to be a sacrifice while they were in sin as I was so lost in my sin.
The Path Less Traveled 