“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalms 19:7-11
Category Archives: God’s Laws
THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY IS THE BASIC UNIT OF SOCIETY
The family is the basic unit of God’s plan for His world. He designed it to be a strong foundation for society and for each individual. When the family functions according to God’s design, it is a powerful force for good in the world.
As the original and basic cell of society, the family is the natural organic source of all societies. The liberal secularists’ assumption that the individual is the basic unit of society, is an assumption that is impossible to demonstrate.
Marriage being opened up to combinations of people other than one man and one woman marks the death knell of the nation. No society has ever endured far beyond the demeaning of the marriage institution.
Traditional marriages produce children, who extend the nation’s existence, ideals, goals, and wealth for another generation. Traditional families are healthier, more stable, and more productive than other kinds of families, resulting in a net gain for society.
God ultimately owns children, but he entrusts them to parents to discipline and disciple them, for him. That means the government/the state does not own our children.
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” Psalm 127:3
Our enemy, Satan, knows that parents are the first and strongest barrier to provide protection for children against predation and grooming. He knows that God gave children parents to protect them from evil and danger, so he tries to separate children from their parents, isolating them and making them vulnerable to his lies. It’s all part of the spiritual battle raging around us.
Satan has the family in his crosshairs as he ramps up his attack. But God has already given us the answer to this spiritual attack, and it’s found in Deuteronomy 6 and Ephesians 6.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5–9
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4
The answer to the attack on the family and the intense LGBTQ, pro-abortion, CRT, etc., indoctrination directed toward children is parents—fathers in particular—teaching their children the Word of the Lord, day in and day out, in all situations.
If you are a father, are you the kind of father who is intentional about bringing your children up in the instruction of the Lord? The kind of father who spends time with his children so he has opportunity to talk about the Lord when he sits, walks, and rises with his children? You have the responsibility before the Lord to be that kind of dad—you cannot leave it solely to your wife or to your church. You stand responsible before God as the head of your family.
BUILDING A RIGHT WORLDVIEW
How can we build the right worldview? There is only one way and that is to start with the origins of this complex universe with its multitude of living things that require many scientific laws to make it function correctly. Those inter-related laws could not have constructed themselves. Science has discovered that DNA (complex information) controls all of the machinery in living cells instructing them what to do. Both the information and the machinery have to be complete and functional at the beginning. They cannot evolve. Moreover, information only comes from intelligence, not matter or energy, hence proof there is an Intelligent Designer. Even better still the Intelligent Designer has revealed Himself to us both by Word, and the person of Jesus Christ, God incarnate.
Down through the ages God has spoken to and worked with individuals so we know He created us in His image to be in a relationship with Him. As a result, we have His Word (Bible) most of which is now fulfilled prophecies so that we know it is God’s Word and that the many end times prophecies will also be fulfilled.
Why is church attendance decreasing SO drastically? In this presentation, Ken Ham discusses the mass exodus that churches are experiencing in Western society and what Christians can do about it.
Ken Ham’s talk is based on his book, Divided Nation: Cultures in Chaos and a Conflicted Church. The good news is that there is a link to download Ken’s slides (in four different formats) so you can use them to help get this message of biblical authority out to more believers! He also includes notes with each slide. You can find that resource on the Answers in Genesis online bookstore.
A WORLD RIPE FOR JUDGEMENT
EUTHANASIA FOR 14-YEAR-OLDS?
One of Australia’s most senior Catholics has warned that a proposal being considered by the ACT Labor-Greens government to allow teenagers as young as 14 to access voluntary assisted dying could see assisted suicide become available to “anyone that wants it”. Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said that every jurisdiction that had introduced assisted suicide had relaxed restrictions over time, cautioning that by setting such a low bar the ACT would see standards “end up in the gutter with no protections at all”. ACT Human Rights Minister Tara Cheyne said that the government was considering allowing children as young as 14 to access voluntary assisted dying, unveiling a community consultation report to help shape legislation to be introduced by the end of the year. “The fact is, every jurisdiction in the world that has gone down the euthanasia path has then gradually stripped away its protections,” Archbishop Fisher said.
“So, if we start as the ACT’s proposing to start, with the bar already very low, well they’re just going to end up in the gutter with no protections at all.” Archbishop Fisher branded the ACT government led by Chief Minister Andrew Barr, a “radical government” that he didn’t trust to enforce safeguards around assisted suicide. He also questioned why 14-year-olds were considered too young to drive and vote but mature enough to “make a life-and-death decision”. “Victoria has only had euthanasia for a year or two, and they’re already talking about removing most of the protections,” he said. “Well, if the ACT starts with almost none, where are they going to be two or three years on? “My guess is it will be euthanasia on demand for anyone that wants it, and that’s exactly, for some of the proponents of this, their ultimate goal.”
Ms Cheyne rejected as arbitrary the requirement in other Australian jurisdictions for assisted suicide to be accessed only by people with a life expectancy of between six and 12 months, and left the door open for dementia patients to access the scheme. NSW, Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania have legalised assisted suicide for people over 18 years old who have a terminal illness and are given less than six to 12 months to live. Health Minister Mark Butler and opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said they would not comment on territory issues. Five MPs representing the ACT independent senator David Pocock, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, and Labor members Andrew Leigh Alicia Payne and David Smith also declined to comment. Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce questioned the suggestion that 14-year-olds were mature enough to make an “informed cogent decision about the most precious thing they have, which is their life”.
“It’s what happens when you have a Greens left-wing Labor government and the idea the state reigns supreme over the individual; it’s the removal of all forms of religion to be replaced with the ethos of the state,” Barnaby said. The architect of the world’s first right-to-die laws and former Northern Territory chief minister Marshall Perron said it was “very hard to put a finger” on when a teenager developed the decision-making capacity to be eligible for assisted suicide. “You’ll get a different opinion from different people … 16 and 17 would be an easier step to go,” he said. “However, there is an argument to go beyond that. If we’re talking about terminally ill individuals who are going to die and are suffering horrifically, I mean, anyone who’s a parent would have to have some sympathy for the child.”
What we are seeing is just a prelude to the coming of the man of lawlessness, the Antichrist, but the good news is; the return of Jesus to restore righteousness and rule and reign with the resurrected Saints during Jesus’ transitional Millennial Kingdom is not too far off.
“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him… Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1,3-4
SLAVES AND BOND SLAVES ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE
When the apostle Paul was writing his letters to the Christian churches – half or more of the Believers were white slaves under Roman law. Though color or race was never relevant to Paul.
In today’s society, we would think of only freeing slaves. But in ancient society, if they had a master they would be provided with food and shelter, without a master meant starving or even death. Moreover, the word “slave” in the Bible, in Greek is “doulos”, it often means a voluntary slave or servant, what is referred to as a “bondservant”. This is a person who could go free but rather chooses to be a slave or servant to his master for life. In many ancient societies, especially with a kind master, this often would have been the very best of life. And with half the population being slaves, the apostle Paul gave instructions for how servants and masters should be honorable to each other (Ephesians 6:5-9).
But contrary to what some claim today – neither the Bible nor the apostle Paul ever promoted slavery.
Onesimus was a runaway slave who met the apostle Paul in Rome and was converted to Christ. Here is what Paul wrote back to his master, who according to Roman law could have put Onesimus to death:
“I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart. I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul! Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ. I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! Philippians 1:10-21
Listen to the apostle Paul writing to all the Christians in Corinth, where there were also many slaves:
“Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.” 1 Corinthians 7:20-23
Paul certainly was not promoting slavery. Read what Paul writes to Timothy condemning slavery:
“We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. 1Timothy 2:8-11
The above words “slave traders”, in Greek is “andrapodistes”, which means more than just trading slaves of any race or color, it literally means any involuntarily keeping of any person against their will.
See what the Old Testament reveals:
God is the Deliverer of slaves: In Exodus in the Old Testament, God freed an entire nation of slaves through Moses – freeing 5 million Hebrews from their slavery under the Pharaoh of Egypt.
“If slaves should escape from their masters and take refuge with you, you must not hand them over to their masters. Let them live among you in any town they choose, and do not oppress them.” In context, these were slaves that escaped to Israel from enemy nations, where under God’s civil Law everyone had great personal freedom, but they did have to honor God and His Law“. Deuteronomy 23:15-16:
Slavery in lieu of Capital Punishment: The first civil law God established after the Flood was Capital Punishment for murder. “And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image. Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth.” Genesis 9:5-7
This law applied to one murderer or any number of murderers, or even an invading army of murderers/terrorists. They too would all be worthy of capital punishment, to protect civilization, and to permanently stop their murdering and destroying a whole nation of people. In the case of an invading army of murderers, in the Old Testament under God’s Law, Israel was permitted to capture the invaders and instead of capital punishment they could rather give them a type of “life prison sentence”.
God’s civil Law form of a “life prison sentence”, is a person’s “life servant sentence”. Instead of the victims having to pay for the murderers’ life in prison, the murderers have to pay the innocent back by serving them for life. Such invading murderers of the nation, instead of a death sentence, can receive a life slavery sentence. This substitute for capital punishment was the only slavery allowance in the Bible. However, the original capital punishment law would be immediately applied if a “life slave” violated his sentence in any way.
Also, under God’s Law, there were Indentured Servants. These were individuals who had a debt that they had no way to pay it off, and therefore, were required to serve their creditor full-time until their debt was paid in full. However, if it was still not paid off after seven years, they were to be fully forgiven of their debt and released from being indentured (Deut. 31:10). Most don’t realize that the Pilgrims, the Puritans, and the vast majority of all the early white Europeans that came to America came as Indentured Servants.
Lastly, in God’s Law, there were Bondslaves or Bondservants: As reported above, these were individuals who chose to remain with their masters for life. They would put a spike through their earlobe to make a hole in their ear to identify they were a freewill bondservant. For many, being a bondslave under their master was the best life they could possibly ever have. Their masters were no doubt good to them and blessed them in many ways, and no doubt such servants were a blessing to their masters.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul refers to himself and other fellow leaders as bondservants of the Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to the Roman Christians saying everyone is a slave, either to sin or to righteousness. We are all slaves whether we know it or not. We are either slaves under the rule of Satan and this world or slaves of the King of kings – the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
This is what it means to be a bondslave of Jesus under His “yoke”:
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’” Matthew 11:28-29
WHAT DOES THIS TEACH OUR CHILDREN?
Samuel Brinton, a man who identifies as non-binary and dresses in women’s clothes, serves as deputy assistant secretary for Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition in the Office of Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy under the Biden administration. He was charged with felony theft earlier this month after allegedly stealing a woman’s designer luggage—valued at $2,325—from the baggage claim at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in September. The woman’s clothes that were in the suitcase are now missing.
Brinton was appointed to the senior position in the Energy Department in June, announcing his new role in a post to Twitter earlier this year, which showed him wearing women’s clothing.
The court documents state: “Brinton removed the blue bag’s tag and put the bag tag in the handbag he was carrying, the defendant then left the area at a quick pace.” as reported by the Washington Examiner.
Brinton reportedly used the stolen suitcase for a trip to Europe before being contacted by authorities in October regarding the item.
In response to the allegations, Brinton claimed back in October that he did not steal the bag, but took it by mistake.
“If I had taken the wrong bag, I am happy to return it, but I don’t have any clothes for another individual. That was my clothes when I opened the bag,” Brinton claimed, according to the Examiner.
As well as being a thief it is obvious from his statement that Brinton tells lies. One has to wonder at the discernment of the management in the Office of Nuclear Energy in the Department of Energy under the Biden administration that appointed this person to a senior position.
It is hard for me to comprehend that we have moved so far from the Christian values that most western countries were based on. Thank goodness, there are many prophecies in God’s Word that this would be the case in the “last days” before Jesus returns to put things right.
Because we hold to God’s values and speak against homosexuality, gay marriage, transgenderism, and abortion we will come under increasing persecution.
“Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.” John 16:2-4
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:9-12
IN THE LAST DAYS LAWLESSNESS WILL ABOUND
Last week, the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement announcing that it had issued Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to two pharmaceutical companies, AbbVie Inc. and Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The demands are part of an investigation to “determine whether these manufacturers of puberty-blocking drugs deceptively advertised and promoted hormone blockers for unapproved uses without disclosing the potential risks to children and their parents.”
“Companies should never promote or supply puberty blockers for uses that are not intended or approved,” Paxton said. “I will not allow Big Pharma to misleadingly promote these drugs that may pose a high risk of serious physical and psychological damage to Texas children who cannot yet fathom or consent to the potential long-term effects of such use.”
The attorney general’s office contends that the medications at issue — Supprelin LA and Lupron Depot — have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat children with Central Precocious Puberty, a condition in which puberty comes early for a child. While Lupron has also “been prescribed for palliative treatment of prostate cancer,” neither drug has been approved as a treatment for gender dysphoria by the FDA.
In a fallen world this is exactly what we would expect to see, a large opportunity to make “big bucks” has opened up for these two pharmaceutical companies and they have grabbed at it regardless of the impact the use of their drugs may have on the future physical and psychological health of the young children that ingest them.
The conservative American College of Pediatricians has warned that the use of puberty-blocking drugs for gender identity purposes on children can cause infertility. Critics claim providing such drugs to children struggling with their gender identity would sterilize otherwise physically healthy children.
“There is not a single long-term study to demonstrate the safety or efficacy of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries for transgender-believing youth. This means that youth transition is experimental, and therefore, parents cannot provide informed consent, nor can minors provide assent for these interventions. Moreover, the best long-term evidence we have among adults shows that medical intervention fails to reduce suicide.”
The debate about puberty blockers has received increased attention in recent years, particularly after “60 Minutes” aired a segment featuring testimony from “detransitioners,” those who began to transition from one gender to the other only to regret doing so later.
The young adults on the panel interviewed by CBS correspondent Lesley Stahl agreed that they were rushed into “hormones and surgery” without completely understanding the long-term impacts of taking that course of action.
In the USA and many of the developed countries, we now have a medical establishment for whom ethics is little more than a laid-back, indifferent acceptance of technological possibilities enabled by a political class that has jettisoned God and His morality, these groups are shaping pediatric care. And the cost will be catastrophically high.
JESUS ON O.T. LAWS
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” — MATTHEW 5:17-20
In the Old Testament, the law has three dimensions: ceremonial, civil, and moral.
ONE: Ceremonial Law
The ceremonial law related specifically to Israel’s worship (see Lev 1:2-3, for example). Its primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ; these laws, therefore, were no longer necessary after Jesus’ death and resurrection. While ceremonial law no longer binds us, the principles behind them—to worship and love a holy God—still apply. The Pharisees often accused Jesus of violating ceremonial law.
TWO: Civil Law
The civil law applied to daily living in Israel (see Deut 24:10-11, for example). Because modern society and culture are so radically different from that time and setting, all of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principles behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct. Jesus demonstrated these principles by example.
THREE: Moral Law
The moral law (such as the Ten Commandments) is the direct command of God, and it requires strict obedience (see Exod 20:13, for example). The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today. Jesus obeyed the moral law completely.
THE ULTIMATE GOAL
God gave His laws to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. Throughout Israel’s history, however, these laws had often been misquoted and misapplied. By Jesus’ time, religious leaders had turned the laws into a confusing mass of rules. When Jesus talked about a new way to understand God’s law, he was actually trying to bring people back to its original purpose. Jesus did not speak against the law itself but against the abuses and excesses to which it had been subjected.. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, He has made him known.” John 1:17-18
HEART CHANGE NEEDED
The Pharisees were exacting and scrupulous in their attempts to follow their laws. So how could Jesus reasonably call us to greater righteousness than theirs? The Pharisees’ weakness was that they were content to obey the laws outwardly without allowing God to change their hearts (or attitudes). They looked pious, but they were far from the Kingdom of Heaven. God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, for it is in the heart that our real allegiance lies.
Jesus was saying that his listeners needed a different kind of righteousness altogether (out of love for God), not just a more intense version of the Pharisees’ obedience (which was mere legal compliance). Our righteousness must
(1) come from what God does in us, not what we can do by ourselves,
(2) be God-centered, not self-centered,
(3) be based on reverence for God, not approval from people,
(4) go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law. We should be just as concerned about our attitudes that people don’t see as about our actions that they do see.
This content came directly from the Chronological Life Application Study Bible! Get this resource today to read through the Bible in chronological order, it will give you a fresh take on your Bible study.
JONATHAN DOES A GREAT JOB OF PROVING GENESIS HISTORY
The history of this universe is explained in Genesis. Is it true? That is the crucial question. Listen to Jonathan Sarfati, author of The Genesis Account – A theological, historical, and scientific commentary on Genesis 1-11, do a great job of connecting the dots – history, cosmology, geology, Biblical exegesis. It will strengthen your faith and give you great ammunition to justify that faith. Download it from YouTube and share it.
CHRISTIANS -“HATEFUL, MEAN, BIGOTED, NARROW-MINDED”
Someone has said, “If I can define you, I can confine you.” Once the caricature “hateful, mean, bigoted, narrow- minded” attaches to believing Christians, we become identified through that false lens. Thus, for example, when we attempt to support religious freedom bills in legislatures, we are immediately defined as “haters.” Big businesses and the media target legislative members and engender public support for the idea that core religious rights that were long the subject of broad societal consensus, are in fact unjustifiable shields for “bigoted” religious people and institutions that must not be tolerated.
Marginalisation
Once the caricature is drawn, then it becomes easy to move to the next step—marginalisation.
Think of this, for example, why is it that there is no evangelical on the Supreme Court? Evangelicals are one of the largest minorities in the United States. But, our pro-life position and views on marriage are regarded as not acceptable and militate against an appointment to the Supreme Court—and beyond that, to appellate courts and district courts. Our views are simply unacceptable to the political powers that be and we are sidelined from the public square— marginalised.
Evangelical Scalia DIED
Discrimination
Once you can make a caricature of a group and marginalise them, you can discriminate against them.
The biggest examples of that, from a legal point of view, are the recent cases before the Supreme Court of Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters of the Poor. In both cases, the present administration forcefully sought to discriminate against persons who, because of religious belief, did not want to facilitate abortions. Those decisions hung by a slim thread in the Supreme Court. Hobby Lobby won by a 5-4 vote, and the Little Sisters of the Poor case was sent back down to the lower courts, in all likelihood, because a majority of opinion could not be reached on a divided 4-4 Court.
Another example that is impacting Assemblies of God colleges and universities as well as all schools who are members of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) is a recent change in the Department of Education (DOE). Christian institutions are now discriminated against because they hold to biblical teaching on sexual morality.
Next on the horizon is the possibility that accrediting associations will determine that a school which has behavioural standards for students regarding same-sex or gender identity relationships is a school not worthy of accreditation, and/or that companies, school boards, and graduate schools will not admit or employ graduates of schools who “discriminate” on the basis of sexual orientation and identity. Schools will either be forced to accept standards imposed on them or go out of business.
Persecution
Step one: make a caricature of persons committed to scriptural teaching on morality. Step two: marginalise them. Step three: discriminate against them. Finally, the last stage: persecute them.
This is what is pending in the California legislature as I write—the outright persecution of Christian institutions by a state that says, “We will attempt to humiliate and marginalise you if you don’t give in.”
What’s next? Unless present trends are reversed, I can envision a day not too far off in which faith-based para church educational and compassion institutions are forced to close if they retain biblical standards of sexual conduct for employment, or even requirements that employees, faculty, or students profess a Christian commitment.
The local church itself will be the last domino to fall in terms of persecution. Tax-exempt status may be lost. Ministers could lose the ministerial housing allowance. Donors may not be able to deduct charitable contributions. Churches which utilise their facilities for public events and compassion ministry, in addition to their times of worship, will be declared public places of accommodation and forced to provide marriage services to same-sex couples.
If you say, “Oh, that can never happen in America,” then let me remind you that we never thought a day would come when the White House would be lit up with the rainbow flag to celebrate a decision by the Supreme Court to legalise same-sex marriage.
I have never written anything like I am writing to you now. I realise that what I am writing paints a very dark picture. You are now asking yourself, but what can we do? Here are some suggestions.
Pray
There may be some who are cynical about a call to pray. But, we know the Lord hears the prayers of His people. Let’s take to heart 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” We must pray for a third Great Awakening to come to America.
Prayers of gratitude for the religious liberty we have enjoyed, and prayers of petition for its future protection should be an ongoing and regular part of our personal and corporate prayer life.
Engage
Use whatever means possible to exert your influence on our culture and political system. Be informed as a voter. Run as a candidate for office if you sense the Spirit asking that of you. Let your elected representatives hear from you on issues such as religious liberty protection.
It’s also vital that we understand that we advocate religious liberty for others, not just ourselves. It is against our religion to impose our religion. When we find persons, organisations, or religious bodies who stand with us on the First Amendment protection of the free exercise of religion, then we welcome their advocacy alongside our own.
Of course, being engaged requires being informed; helping those who worship in our churches every week to understand the nature of the challenges we face, honestly but without overstating, is a critical first step. Had Christians across Missouri truly understood what was at stake in the religious liberty bill that failed in that state legislature earlier this year, the outcome may have been different. We must educate in order to inspire action.
Watch Your Spirit
There’s a fascinating verse in Jude 9 that says, Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil in a dispute about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce upon him a railing judgement. But he said, “The Lord rebuke you!'” In other words, Michael did not behave like the devil in fighting the devil. We must take to heart the admonition of the apostle Paul,
“The servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be gentle toward all people …” Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will “grant them repentance to a know the truth” (2 Tim. 2:24–25). Let’s be gracious as we take our stand on issues that concern us.
Do Good
The world may not agree with our beliefs, but they cannot deny when we do good. As individual believers and as a church together we must continue to serve others. We must be known as people of compassion and mercy. We are for the just treatment of others and we help the poor, the needy, the addicted, the wounded, the lonely and the downtrodden.
Keep Doing the Main Things
Our first and foremost call is to preach and live the gospel. Let’s keep the main things the plain things, and the plain things the main things. We must fulfil both the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18–20) and the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37–39). That’s our priority! Let’s never substitute evangelism and discipleship with political action. Let’s keep eternal matters and temporal matters in perspective.
Our Battle Is Spiritual
God loved the world and so must we. We cannot give others any reason to identify us as “haters” or “bigots.” The world will not be won by Christians who are shaking their fists at sinners. Something is a truism when it is true. This truism is true: “We must hate the sin and love the sinner.” “For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:12–13).
Rejoice
Nothing happening has caught the Lord by surprise. He told us we would be persecuted because of our loyalty to Him. But we are not to be angry about that or downcast. Instead, Jesus said: ”
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.12 Rejoice and be very glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:10–12).
Thank you for letting me share my heart with you on this vital matter of religious liberty. In every dark time, believers have learned to say anew, “Our Lord reigns!”
This an abbreviated letter (grievous warning) was sent out by George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God (USA) and chair of The Assemblies of God Fellowship
LIVING ETERNAL NOW 