One Foundation

 It is easy to get the feeling that the very foundations of our nation are about to break up and crumble. When we see corruption and illegal activity in government go unpunished, law enforcement being commanded to not enforce the law, cities burning and lawlessness running rampant, we see symptoms of a culture in the stages of disintegration. Americans with any sense of morality and patriotism mourn over the condition and climate that has come upon a great nation at this time.  It is even sadder when we realize that we have done this to ourselves. 

Years of neglecting the creeping philosophies that are at odds with the christian faith, which is the foundation of our culture and liberties, have backed us into a corner from where we face an unrelenting enemy whose stated purpose is to "tear down" our entire national system.  Their violent actions in the street, the subversive maneuvering in the political arena and the propaganda poured out daily by a leftist media all work together to dismantle the fabric of our way of life. Universities have for years painted a totally false portrait of America's beginning, character and role in the world, indoctrinating thousands of young people entering positions of leadership.  Just as pre- Nazi Germany didn't take the National Socialists seriously, we didn't take the creeping liberalism/socialism seriously for the threat that it actually is. Now tyranny looms before us, and Senators seem to be oblivious to the real threat it poses, behaving as if this is just "tough politics as usual." 

Yet, in spite of the danger at our door there is one weapon that our nation is forgetting about, and that is the church of Jesus Christ. We as followers of Christ understand something that wicked politicians of every time fail to understand, and that is Jesus Christ is Lord. The Apostle Paul writes, " For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." These are tremendous words expressing a tremendous reality, that all aspects of our nation in this troubled time are under the Lordship and sovereign control of Christ. The very pillars of reality, government, national character, personal worth, are all grounded and dependent upon Jesus the risen and exalted Lord of all creation. It is from this immovable foundation that our world and life proceeds.  To the extent that we build, live, govern, in accordance with that foundation we find dignity and quality of life. To the extent we neglect or reject it, we find turmoil, unrest, shame, and disorder, and ultimately destruction. 

The democratic convention took place a few days ago as I write, and it was widely publicized that they removed the words,"under God," from the Pledge of Allegiance as they recited it. It's troubling that they would stoop to that, yet it is consistent with and proves what they've become, a grotesque anti-christian beast rising out of a sea of chaos.  "He Who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them." As if removing those two words change anything. His Lordship is not dependent on anyone's acknowledgment, He is Lord whether we acknowledge Him our not. They only display pride and sinful rebellion against an immovable foundation that has been laid-Jesus Christ the King of kings. The church  understand that Christ is still Lord over this nation and all nations.

So, followers of Jesus look to the rock upon which our lives and our national life has been built. Look to the One Whose word and purpose will ultimately be victorious over all the arrogant who would dare dream of overthrowing Him. We have access to God through faith in Christ. Our prayers are heard by Him and are effective to bring about real change and healing as He graciously moves to bring His will to pass.  From that position of strength, speak His word of truth into the chaotic culture of our day. Let the Holy Spirit of truth so fill us that we live and speak in such a way that we counter the many false narratives pumped into our minds daily. 

The church of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit is our nations greatest resource, if we would only mobilize ourselves accordingly. In any case, the foundation of God stands sure. He is Lord, and He will prevail. May God give us the courage to be who we ought to be, who we can be, and who He will make us to be for this time.

 

Provoked By The Spirit Of Truth

 Have you ever experienced as a child, the provoking of another child, at school or from around your neighborhood? They would keep picking on you in some way, maybe hitting you or calling names, or in other ways were just being a nuisance until finally you had enough and lashed out at them just to put a stop to their picking. You were provoked into action in order to defend yourself and put a stop to their wrong. I think we are at such a time as a church and as a nation.

There has been so much wrong doing and so many assaults against what is right, Godly and just in our nation for the past sixty or so years, that it is coming to a head. We see it in the streets where Antifa gangs and rioters assemble only to burn, attack innocent people, and destroy property. The Mayors of those cities where the anarchy takes place stand back and let it go on. Rather than pursue the wrong doers with the proper law enforcement, they weaken the very police and enforcers of law, not allowing them to do what needs to be done to restore order and protect people and property. Whatever voices are raised in objection to this lawlessness and subversion are quickly drowned out or ignored by a left wing dominated media that falsely portrays the rioters as "protesters." Politicians in D C talk a good game on television, and social media, but as far as I can tell take no action to protect their constituents and law abiding citizens.

My question today is, What is it going to take to provoke the church of Jesus Christ to raise our voice and speak truth into this ungodly culture and context? I read in Acts 17:16 that the Apostle Paul while in Athens saw the idols, religions and philosophies that were common in that day and that "his spirit was being provoked within him..." His response was to speak truth into the cultural context of the city. He addressed the narrative of his day directly with truth and wisdom from God.  I wonder if we as the body of Christ feel that same sense of being provoked.  Does the lawlessness and the false narrative concerning it create any sense of indignation within our numbers? 

We cannot turn a blind eye to the threat that is upon our nation in the form of rising socialism. The violence in our streets go hand in hand with its rise. It's one of the fascist tactics of left wing politicians, along with misinformation and lies of their media accomplices. This was how socialists ascended to power in days past. They wrenched power from the citizens of Germany, Italy and Russia in the same manner we're seeing leftists doing it today in our nation.  We have to sound forth the truth of the Gospel and the ramifications of that world view. The Gospel is not just about eternal life in heaven, but about being salt and light in the here and now. We are called to declare the Lordship of Christ over every authority, every form of Government, King or any other ruler.  If He is Lord, then His followers are under a mandate to speak the ramifications of what that Lordship means for all the world. Yet we seem to be silent, or at least weak in our public presence and witness. Where is the provocation of our own spirits? Is the indignation deep enough to cause us to speak out and address directly the anti Christian spirit, that is the root of socialism and other ideologies? Are we so limited to our own narrative of how the church should behave? Offering a sappy version of love and cowering attempts to "build relationships" with those who assault our Lord and our freedoms every day will not cut it.

We must regain our prophetic voice, and be bold to speak truth with genuine love into the false narrative that grips us. The only way to kindle this fire is by prayer. Pray for our nation, pray against the enemies of our nation. Pray for the Gospel to prevail along with all the ramifications that accompany it. The writer of Hebrews calls us to provoke one another to love and good deeds. Confronting falsehood, and the rising anti christian spirit is genuine love in action. Souls are in the balance.  May the fire of the Holy Spirit provoke us to wake up to the wolf at the door, and move us to take the actions still available to us in or great nation to confront and drive it away.