Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Christian Warfare







We demolish arguments.  This part of the Christian Warfare comes easily to me, as I grew up in a family fully committed to discussion and argument.  It seemed to fit when I named my blog The Battle. I want to battle for truth and righteousness. But the rules for spiritual battle call for us to be kind, and meek and gentle.  This goes against human nature.  Battle usually involves violence, death, and destruction.  But we do not wage war according to the flesh.

Scriptures from Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
2 Cor 10:3 For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. 6 And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.


Our struggle is not against the flesh and blood, but against every false idea and the powers of evil.  Presently we are confronted with a concept that being kind to evil doers, while disregarding the rule of law, is what God wants.  We are judged un-Christian if we speak in support of personal responsibility, and in support of the sanctity of human life. 

Apostle Paul warned against irresponsible behavior. He said that those who refused to work should also not eat. This is in direct conflict with Bernie Sanders' "to each according to their need, and from each according to their ability."

Also there is nothing in scripture that suggests we should hand off our personal responsibility, to care for the poor, to the State Government, to forcefully take from the rich and give to the poor, after the elite ruling class takes their cut. 

 I visited Russia at the end of the USSR, and saw with my own eyes the hopelessness of the people who stood in long lines to collect their allotment of bread.  This was a common saying regards the communist system; "We pretend to work, and the government pretends to pay us."

Now our young people are being led down the primrose path of trusting human reasoning for their well being.  Yes, Satan told Eve, "you will be wise like God, knowing good and evil."

And the secular humanist  atheist movement is teaching that it is up to us humans to work out our future without regard to what the Bible teaches us.  They are so conflicted that they do not know the difference between a man and a woman, and they want to give every boy a chance to be a girl. 

Apostle Paul warns against such behavior, writing to the believers at Thessaloniki.

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

2 Thes 3:6 Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother or sister who is idle and does not live according to the tradition received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you should imitate us: We were not idle among you; 8 we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and toiled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 It is not that we don’t have the right to support, but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. 10 In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.” 11 For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies.12 Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves. 13 But as for you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing good.

Yes, we are fighting against the powers of Satan, against his lies that exalt mankind and fight against God's righteousness. We must use the full armor that God provides to stand against this present evil. 

We must use truth, what the Bible teaches about personal responsibility, willing to work with our hands to provide for our family and others, respecting the rights of others to have personal property, and not covetous of the wealthy. we must be honest with each other.

We must demonstrate righteousness, loving our neighbor as ourself, and respecting the value of laws given by God and recorded in the Bible.  Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

We must be prepared to speak to all about Jesus, our only hope of salvation.  There is no other path to salvation.  Diversity is not our goal, but unity in Jesus is our desire. 

We must have faith that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that He gives eternal life to all who trust in Him.  Our faith in Jesus will keep us going. 

The helmet of salvation gives us the strength to persist, knowing that our eternal hope is secure. Trusting in God is our protection.

And the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, is our weapon. Not my opinion, not my faction, but what Jesus and the Apostles taught and was recorded in the Bible. On this I will take my stand, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the only hope of salvation.  Pray that I may be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

 And praying, praying at all times in the Spirit. And remembering, it is not our will, but His will that we ask for. We know that He hears the prayers of His children. 

Christian Warfare

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand,therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Don't worry about anything!  How I need that instruction.  My natural inclination is alpha male, I want to be in charge. But there is so much that I cannot know about present circumstances, even if I use Google search, that I must content myself with doing those things that are my responsibility, and trusting that God will work things out in His own time. 

How does God allow us free will, and yet accomplish His purpose?  He is God.  We need to do our best to do what He tells us to do. And rejoice that we belong to Him.

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Think about good things, do the right things, and the God of peace will be with you.  This is a battle that Jesus will surely win. 
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Thursday, February 14, 2019

Contending for the Faith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH-CPVTXy1E


Jude, brother of James, half-brother of Jesus, admonishes believers to contend for the faith delivered, once for all.  That faith speaks of the teaching of Jesus and the Apostles, what they taught, and what was recorded at the direction of the Holy Spirit, by the Apostles and prophets, and preserved in our New Testament. 

That faith was being perverted by the Gnostics, who taught that the material world is evil, and that only the spirit is of importance.  Some of the Gnostics were encouraging sexual immorality, saying it was pleasurable, and had no ability to defile the spiritual being. 

Jude very explicitly demands revulsion toward the undergarments defiled by sexual immorality.  Those listening to the Gnostics were headed for Hell, and needed rescue. 

Jude 

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Greeting

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James:

To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.

2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Jude’s Purpose in Writing

3 Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. 4 For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth;they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.
Apostates: Past and Present

5 Now I want to remind you, although you came to know all these things once and for all, that Jesus saved a people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe; 6 and the angels who did not keep their own position but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day. 7 Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perversions, and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.

8 In the same way these people—relying on their dreams—defile their flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious ones. 9 Yet when Michael the archangel was disputing with the devil in an argument about Moses’s body, he did not dare utter a slanderous condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people blaspheme anything they do not understand. And what they do understand by instinct—like irrational animals—by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, have plunged into Balaam’s errorfor profit, and have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
The Apostates’ Doom

12 These people are dangerous reefs at your love feasts as they eat with you without reverence. They are shepherds who only look after themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by winds; trees in late autumn—fruitless, twice dead and uprooted. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameful deeds; wandering stars for whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever.

14 It was about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied: “Look! The Lord comes with tens of thousands of his holy ones 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly concerning all the ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh things ungodly sinners have said against him.” 16 These people are discontented grumblers, living according to their desires; their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage.

17 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers living according to their own ungodly desires.” 19 These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit.
Exhortation and Benediction

20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God,waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

24 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. 

Amen.

That faith, delivered once for all, has been perverted and become the object of derision by those who profess secular knowledge today.  Europe has become post Christian, with rejection of the State connected churches, and development of secular humanist philosophies.  

Rejection of state control of religion is a move in the right direction.  Secular government has no business in directing me as to what I should believe. State mandated Secular Humanism, Communism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam are all against what is right. Individuals have the created right to determine for themselves what to believe.  There should be no room for government coercion regards faith.  Too many have been murdered in horrible fashion because their faith did not match the state mandated religion of their time and place.  See Foxes book of Martyrs  


Also the history of the Thirty Years War in Europe.


And the Hindus in India.


The Islamic Ottoman Empire massacre of Armenian Christians



Lest we forget, the Holocaust. 



No!  We do not want the State to control our faith:  forcing people to confess that Mary is the Mother of God, and to believe that the bread and wine actually change to the literal body and blood of Jesus in communion, baptizing babies, making the King of England head of the Anglican Church, and so forth. 

Or worse, to be forced to confess that Mohammad is a prophet of God, and that Islam is to be observed as the faith of a nation, upon the pain of death or taxes. 

But being forced to observe Christianity or Islam may not be the worst outcome of State mandates regards what we should believe.  What if a State abandons its moral foundations established by historical principles?  What if a State tells its people to believe whatever they please?

Corruption always follows when any group of people decide to live as they please, according to their own feelings and compulsions. Even if they claim Christianity, the rulers of this world manage to corrupt and defile what is good, and to make things about power, control, and accumulation of wealth.   The prosperity gospel messengers of our time peddle an odious garbage of good feelings and false miracles as they line their own pockets while promising material blessings to their charmed audience. 

Nigeria, one of the poorest nations on earth, has many Christian Pastors who collect money from the poor.  They claim miracle power and promise blessings to those who give them donations.  They live in big houses, and one even owns a jet plane.  


But at least Nigeria does not force people to follow these men.  And Nigeria is fighting to prevent Islamic Militants from forcing their faith upon the people of Northern Nigeria. ISIS, having been forced out of Syria and Iraq, recently joined forces with Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria.


Why does the United Nations permit any nation to enforce a certain religious faith upon its people?  It is past time for the world to unite for the purpose of granting personal religious freedom to all people of the earth. Faith is personal, and not to be enforced by the rulers of this world. 

But faith matters.  We that believe in Jesus are citizens of an eternal kingdom, and we are free to live at peace with all mankind, as much as possible.  But we must speak the truth in love. We must contend earnestly for the faith, delivered once for all.

That faith proclaims that Jesus is our only hope for salvation.  



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