Have we Forgot?

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Acts 23: 1-11

I would never have believed that a political party in the United States would have taken God out of their platform and then had a floor vote on putting God back in that lost three times and the leaders of that party ignored the vote and placed God’s name back into the platform, for political reasons, not because they love God.  I would never have believed that this same group would support men marrying men and women marrying women and by their actions oppose marriage between a man and a women.  I would never have thought a President of the United States would hold special prayer services for Muslims and call the Nation’s day of Prayer an event, and not be part of it, but all of this and more took place in the last four years.  And this same group does not like Christians; if given the chance they would do all in their power to silence the message of the cross, and of a risen Jesus Christ.  They want Christian to keep faith a private thing, and trust in government not in God.

At the time the apostle Paul was put before the council of Rome was in charge, they were the conquering army, and the Jews hated them, but the leaders played nice in order to keep power over the center of life, and at that time in Israel that was the temple, it governed the Jewish culture and it was more than a religion.  From the view of the governing bodies that ruled over the Jewish people they saw Christianity as a threat to their way of life, their control, their seat of significance.  

We also have an army that has come against Christians in the United States, and they have a leader who has been attacking and deceiving mankind since the Garden of Eden and his game has not changed, and his goals are clearly stated in John 10:10, by Jesus, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  Many a Christian can quote this verse and many believe it until they find the mob is coming after them, or they believe they may lose a way of life that is centered in the church and being good to their neighbors, and in the freedom to talk Christian but often not be Christian. 

Then they demand action from their leaders, and who are their leaders, Pastors, Politicians, and maybe Fox news.  And just an observation, it seems like they are quick to quote any source no matter the source if they are saying something they agree with in the political, the financial, or the spiritual realm, and it seems to matter not that the source can be verified.  We Christians in the USA seem to dismiss much of what Jesus has told us, about being light in a very dark world, and have we forgot that light dispels darkness, and that Jesus tells us we are the light of the world.  Do you recall these words; “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew5: 16)

This writer hates the evil that has attacked the family, the church, and the God in whom we trust, and yet, early on I was part of the email army to set right all the wrongs coming from the enemy, when the Spirit of God began to speak light into my heart, be light, do not be part of the things of darkness.  I am not saying do not take a stand for good over evil, but make sure that your words are true, and remember it is not about a brand or a party, it about being light so that glory is given to the Father.

As you read Acts 23:1-11, you will see the wisdom of God at work in Paul’s life, and you will see the words from Jesus saying, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”   And Paul understood that Rome was not going to be a holiday, but Rome meant prison, it meant loss of freedom, but it also meant wining many to Christ, it meant being light and the writing of much of the New Testament.  This question confronts me, have I been crucified with Christ, is it no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me?  Is the life I am now living in the flesh a life of faith in the Son of God, who loves me and gave himself for me, or have I forgotten who govern, who blesses and who curses?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice