The lie of Separation of Church and State

We're told often: "Never discuss politics or religion!" First off, not only are Christians to discuss "religion", but we're to proselytize the heathen. That's "The Great Commission" and as disciples of Jesus, that's our primary job! That leaves "politics". Are we to discuss ideology with others? Let's examine that issue.

Scripture is for teaching, among other things according to 2 Timothy 3:16. We are to teach others about the will of God!  God doesn't proscribe any political party. He would see both the Republican and Democrat Parties totally lacking! However, we're taught to do our civil duty, that being to be good citizens. Likewise, we're not to be apathetic (slothful) in our lives. Christians are to be active and good citizens setting the example for others which can lead to salvation. (Bad citizens are not the model for good Christians! That's the point).

(By scriptural discernment and prayer God will show us for whom to vote if we only listen.)

However, Christians have a roadblock! The roadblock was institutionalized by well-meaning Godly people sometime after the nations founding. That lie, implanted by the Deceiver, is called "the wall of separation of church and state" and Thomas Jefferson, the Deist, was the author of that!. This "separation" IS NOT part of the Constitution to the surprise of many. The First Amendment grants religious rights, not abridges nor controls them: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." In clearer terms that means that there shall be no "state" religion and citizens can worship freely with no government interference!

I contend that the modern interpretation of this amendment in fact establishes a religion! By removing God as "anyone understands him" from the public arena, the government has established atheism as the official religion, which in practice, is called "secular humanism". From evolution taught in schools to moral relativism, that's all encompassed in our state sponsored religion. However, that's not the argument to be pursued this instant. The point is that there must not be a wall of separation between church and state!

Since the U.S. Constitution did not have a clause nor an amendment with that guarantee, where did it originate? All thirteen colonies at one time had a "state religion" endorsed in their charters.  The First Amendment was not ratified until Dec 1791. At that time 12 of the 13 states still had a "state religion". The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, finally disallowing state religions in terms of the "equal protection" clause: "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.". However, New Hampshire and North Carolina did not change their charters until the 1870s. Hence, it's readily seen that The U.S. Constitution never eliminated "state religions"!

Where did the "wall of separation" originate? Non-state religious denominations, mainly Baptists were jailed for preaching almost anywhere because of state sanctioned denominations. The "Traveling Church" started in Kentucky by the Craig family from Virginia who were driven from Virginia for preaching the gospel there. Their sermons were actually preached through jail house bars!

In the early colonies people were jailed for missing church without excuse! The governor often passed judgment on the violator and issue a warrant for arrest.

In southern states church tithes were taxes paid to the parish. The monetary exchange was tobacco! The vicars in Virginia would even teach landowners how to grow better tobacco crops to obtain more tithes (taxes) for the parishes!

"State churches" were an institution in America. Baptists complained to Thomas Jefferson who wrote to  the Danberry Baptists in 1802 (11 years after The First Amendment was ratified) that: "I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. " That was Jefferson's take. He did not write The First Amendment! James Madison was the author... not Jefferson!

"State Churches" were hated by many!  The "Holy Roman Empire" was ruled by emperors who held allegiance to the Roman Catholic Pope. In matters of religion and state, the Pope was the supreme authority! With that authority there was much abuse. In England Queen Elizabeth I, a nominal Anglican, institutionalized the Archbishop of Canterbury as the religious leader and adviser to the monarch. The King (or Queen) was actually the leader in religious affairs. In both cases, this unholy alliance created havoc in both church and state and many pilgrims and other dissidents came to America to escape papalism on the one hand and Anglican persecution on the other! Due to the abuse of power, the alliance of the church and the state was anathema to those in other belief systems!

Did God intend that there be a wall of separation?

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Philippians 4:6  "...in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

The astute reader can see that scripture teaches Christians to turn to God in "every thing" and "all things work together". God made no exception for civil affairs nor government! That's man's doing and by going out on his own, as man has always done, God's will has been neglected. With disobedience the world suffers chaos. We are in chaos more now than ever before because the "new state religion" is secular humanism, what the Nazis called "Positive Christianity". That doctrine removes anything Jewish and anything the world sees as negative from scripture. Jesus is still there, but only to placate, not as a savior!

What government, then, is God-ordained?

Deuteronomy 16:18 "Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment."

God's will is that both civil and religious law be righteous!  Judges were established in the time of Moses by God:

Exodus 18:14 "And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: 16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. 17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. 18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. 23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. 24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said."

The alert reader will see here that God's "government" in civil and religious law had Him at the head with a "Supreme Court" (Moses) with Tertiary Courts (lesser judges). This is the pattern for the U.S. Court System. It is based on "Natural Law" which in turn is Mosiac Law and includes God's commandments! God's will is that we in fact have a civil government with God at its head and with God's law paramount. Not only is the government to be God-centered, but there is no wall of separation there at all! The reader can now see why "right wing Christians" abhor the 'wall of separation of church and state" because it has created an "unknown God" of which Paul spoke in Acts (to the Greeks)! America now worships that previously "Unknown God", the "God of Reason"... the God of disobedience and pleasure!

Kings were not what God had in mind! The Jews, in their disobedience, demanded to be like the other nations. They wanted kings over them to rule. God, to teach them a lesson, allowed kings, commencing with King Saul, who was appointed by God. Strangely enough, Saul assumed the position of his priest and God disowned him! Saul made unrighteous judgments. Lesson unlearned! He was deposed and a King (David) who listened to God emerged. Disobedient rulers ruled and the kingdom failed. Lesson still unlearned! God didn't intend for us to have kings, but in effect we recently seem to have one! He dabbles, as did Saul, where he should not dabble! He rules not from God's decree, but from his own confused heart.

God made a deal with Abraham. "If you people follow me and my commands, you will prosper. If you disobey my commands you will be punished." America is in disobedience and we are being punished. We suffer the consequences of ourselves. "We have met the enemy and he is us!" (Oliver Perry). Because we disobey God, we are being destroyed. Nikita Kruschev said that America will be defeated without them  firing a shot. That was a message, whether he knew it or not, from God!

How do we change things? How shall we again prosper? We put God back in our lives... all our lives everywhere! Pray for it. Prayer changes things and the enemy can be defeated by God if only we have faith.

Brothers

Brothers mean much! That's the second most early relationship one has. While close friends can be like brothers, only brothers can be truly that close.

Jesus called two sets of brothers to be apostles.

Matthew 4:18 "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers." 

Matthew 4:21 "And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them."

What's more Jesus saw that brothers who did things together were what he wanted! In both cases Jesus chose brothers who fished together. There is camaraderie in fishing together, but just being a part of each others lives shows togetherness. There's just something "right" about brothers who just enjoy being with each other. I suppose knowing a brother and being a good brother is a good start on being a good brother in Christ!

My own brothers mean much to me! They all don't get along as brothers should, but I get along with all them. I'm not minimizing my only great sister, but it's obvious that brother and sister can't be as close as brothers. It's the nature of us. We can idolize a sister, but brothers just complement one another. The older ones can set an example, and the younger ones follow. The younger children are often the composite of the older brothers. we get their "good" and "bad" alike!

I didn't spend enough time with my older brothers as we all grew older. I had my own life and they and they had theirs. Only after two were gone did I realize that brothers are precious. Here's my take on brothers and what they mean to me:

BROTHERS

There is much we share.
Each born with history the same.
Years apart we are not a pair,
but we share the same surname.

We were conceived in like manner.
We are of the same two.
As family we fly the same banner,
and together always together we grew!

We bickered, argued and fought.
We played and had a good time.
Truth and fact is what we sought,
each working hard for each dime!

Always while differing we were the same.
Our opinions and likes were molded early.
When in trouble we were quick to blame,
but in the end we loved the other dearly!

It's so wrong when siblings hate!
With each other we're a total part.
My brother I will never forsake.
I love them all right from the heart!

Some brothers differ so!
With the same parents how can that be?
We each choose – friend or foe,
I choose wisely, it's friend for me!

We brothers are six in number.
With one sister we are seven.
As two are gone, we are somber.
Two we hope are at home in heaven!

Who shall be next we think?
Shall it be the one who ails?
Time will tell as life's a blink,
ringing for each the dreaded death bells.

Health means nothing for our hope.
It could be that I'm the one.
It could be me and death who elope.
Rather me than others gone!

The first said “I have my brothers!”
as he lay down on death's bed.
Children should never precede their mothers.
A mother without her child is already dead!

However, now we each have the other.
Our time together is without measure.
We all each have our brother!
Brothers are indeed a family treasure!

Some brothers aren't so blessed.
They fight and spar or have total silence.
But for me, my brothers are best!
My heart's not stirred with inner violence.

God has been really good you see!
He picked my brothers way in advance.
No greater  brothers can there be...
I thank them for my life so  enhanced!

Each time we visit may be the last.
We part with that thought so strong.
Each visit now becomes the past.
Cherish each for to each we belong.

Yes, brothers are blessed so!
Our day for each other is each day.
My brothers make my heart glow!
With that said what more could I say?

What Do the Ten Plagues Symbolize?

The Jewish people always required signs and miracles to believe in God. Whenever miracles ceased to happen their enthusiasm and faith waned. When their faith turned to doubt the people sinned grievously, not trusting in God. Why did Jesus perform miracles? Mainly so that the Jews would believe! We know that even with miracles the Jews had less confidence in the Lord than did the Gentiles.

Signs, wonders and miracles are tools God uses to eliminate doubt and increase faith. Signs and miracles mean things! The Book of Revelation is full of signs. Only the discerning, informed by the Holy Ghost, can piece together the signs for a complete message. That's no accident! God uses signs to divulge knowledge! The Spirit-filled Christian, when reading those signs in Revelation gets a fairly clear picture of the end-of-days. Without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Revelation means little to the casual reader and is just mass confusion.

Likewise, the entire Old Testament is a testimony to the coming Messiah. He's with them in Spirit, but has yet to become the image that we're copied after. This is an important distinction! Jesus was not born in our image, but mankind was born in what God called "our image". We were designed, rather well I say, to resemble the yet born God Man Jesus. The entire Old Testament is about "The Word" and The Word is who put on flesh. All the "Bible Stories" are about Jesus, and just as in Revelation, man can recognize Jesus in Scripture only by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

When the casual reader reads about Moses, that reader sees little more than "Bible Stories": How God dealt with early church patriarchs. However, the inspired reader, if discerning, will soon find out that all the Old Testament stories are "all about Jesus"! With that said, is there information to be gleaned from "the ten plagues"? Let's look at some likely givens:

1. Egypt represents sin and the Jews servitude to the Egyptians as bondage to sin.
2. The Pharaoh represents Satan.
3. Moses is a type of Christ.
4. Aaron would be akin to John the Baptist.
5. The Passover is a representation of the Crucifixion.
6. The wooden door stop and the blood are a picture of the bloodied cross.
7. The death of the firstborn is a picture of Christ on the Cross.
8. The parting of the Red Sea represents Baptism
9. Etc.
10. What is the message of the ten plagues. There's a message there or God wouldn't have went to the extreme of going through all the motions knowing in advance that all the plagues would only harden Pharaoh.

The plagues are termed "miraculous signs and wonders." The purpose of the signs are to impart knowledge.
The plagues were designed to contrast the power of Yahweh with the impotence of Egypt's various gods
Repeated throughout the narrative is the phrase, "you will know that I am Yahweh". Hence, the plaques are to reveal God. God revealed is Immanuel (God With Us). I believe the ten plagues are all about sin, grace, salvation and Jesus!

Firstly, I must admit a preconceived notion! I thought that somehow the plagues of Moses were a picture of the plagues of Revelation. Perhaps they are, but if so, I could find no correlation. However, I put away my bias and looked at Scripture to see what I could find. Here is my "take" on each of the plagues:

1. Change water into blood (Jesus purifying by water and blood-also the Trinity 1 John 5:6-12)
2. Frogs come up from the river (false prophet & unclean spirits-Rev 16:13; vs. Truth of Jesus)
3. Lice from dust (Original sin - disease passed down from Adam; Grace of Jesus)
4. Swarms of flies (Beelzebub [Satan] literally means "Lord of the Flies", Victory in Jesus)
5. Diseased livestock (Improper sacrifices [not fearing God]-firstlings of the flock-Deuteronomy 14:23, Fear of God)
6. Boils from ashes (Uncleanliness [sin]-Lev 13:18-23 & recovery, forgiveness)
7. Grievous hail (Seventh seal broken-Rev 8:7, judgement Rev 11:19)
8. Locusts from the coast (Torment of the unsaved-Rev 9:3-10, salvation)
9. Three days darkness (eternal life-the resurrection-Jesus time in the tomb)
10. Death of firstborn (grace-Jesus death on the cross, crucifixion)

There are many verses which speak of water and blood being purifying. The Holy Ghost represents spiritual cleansing. Hence, I believe the first plague identifies the Trinity of which water and blood is the symbol.

Frogs represent unclean spirits and the false prophets (second plague) . That's why Jesus came! The ministry of Jesus (gospels) was the explain salvation and then demonstrate it. Jesus came to "kill the frogs" so to speak so that we would know the truth and that he is that Truth. 

 

Gnats or lice are the third plague. No matter which, because both represent disease and sin IS THE DISEASE of mankind. Where did disease originate? With Adam who rose up from the dust. Adam is responsible for what's called "original sin". No man is good enough to save himself. As a result we all have sinned and depend on the grace of God to save us. Grace is the antidote for the disease of sin! Grace is Jesus' vicarious death on the Cross!

Beelzebub is another name for Satan and is translated "Lord of the Flies". The fly plague (fourth) represents Satan who soon shall be defeated and bound by Jesus then thrown in the Lake of fire. Hence, the Fly will be destroyed and Jesus will be victorious!

The fifth plague is diseased livestock. Since for a proper sacrifice the firstlings of the livestock; those without disease, were a proper sacrifice. The improper sacrifice of Cain shows that we are to fear God. We think of Jesus as our Savior, but he also will mete out punishment to the wicked and thus must be feared! Proper sacrifice is fearing God and Jesus, who is God, must also be feared, not only by Pharaoh, but anyone who is in rebellion!

Boils from ashes is the sixth plague. Boils represent uncleanliness and the definition of "unclean" is "sin". Boils can be "cured". We can "recover" from boils. That "recovery" from sin spoken of in Leviticus is "forgiveness" in the New Testament.

By coincidence (?) the seventh plague corresponds to the seventh seal in Revelation! "Grievous Hail" represents "judgment" and Jesus will be the judge of mankind.

"Locusts from the Coast" is the eighth plague. Locusts represent many things, but most  prominently  is the "torment of the unsaved". Locusts represent the pangs of hell and Jesus "saves" us from eternal torment!

Three days of darkness, the ninth plague, is a picture of the resurrection. Just as Jesus remained in the tomb three days in the darkness therein, likewise the three days of darkness points toward the tomb and it emptied!

The tenth plague is the death of the first born. This clearly represents God's sacrifice of his own firstborn to a real death on the Cross. Death that he faced so that we don't have to suffer for eternity!

This all is my "take" on the meaning of the plagues. It's not to diminish the need for the Jews to desire freedom from bondage (sin), but all the plagues somehow point toward Jesus! If a person goes to a commentary little will be found about the meaning of each plague, but to me the Holy Spirit has given meaning. Of course, another may get something entirely different from the meaning, but regardless of the individual interpretations, it's obvious that taken as a whole, the plagues were all about Jesus.

I used Scripture to shed light on each of these plagues. Consider "my takes" and critique if you choose and elaborate if you will. I doubt that the Jews had incite enough to understand what the plagues were all about, but I bet Moses and Aaron knew that it was Jesus (The Word) with whom they were guided and Jesus (Incarnate) who was being identified.

Haters

Yes, there are still people who hate others for just being. Some even hate the obese, the deformed and the poor. Growing up in poverty, my family was exposed to hate because we were "dumb Kentuckians"! When my brother got married his future in-laws wouldn't come to the wedding because "she's marrying a Kentuckian". Being a Kentuckian at that time in Indiana was akin to being trash. Unfortunately, many of the Kentuckians who moved up north were the poorest of the poorest and were there to find work. (I might add that the government never helped them! They worked hard to advance themselves.)

Some confuse hate. Some "hate" is cultural. Because we are comfortable in our own culture we resent those from other cultures infringing on our own comfort. I'll be honest. I hate the rock music culture! Most of the musicians are politically opposite to what I am and are "in your face" with their own ideology. Most rock musicians disdain Christianity and its opposition to their pursuit of pleasure. I use "hate" here because it's perceived that way. I have no animosity toward the people, but only their beliefs and lifestyle. I'm intolerant of them because I have no need to tolerate their rantings! Since I'm a Christian I don't believe in what the world views as toleration, but what God teaches as obedience. The most intolerant "person" ever to exist is God, who just happens to be the most loving... pure love!

God's intolerance of sin is why the world hates Christians. Some don't believe in God. That's excusable because many Christians at one time didn't believe. However, some proclaim God, but yet don't believe what he says or approve of his authority. Mankind's problem as always been a failure to submit to God's authority and that lack of submission is because of pleasure which abounds outside authority. All men are born anarchists and only by the prevenient grace of God are we called to repentance and salvation!

Scripture tells us that those in the world who are not Christians are haters. As time rolls on this will become more common:

Luke 21:12 But before all these (heavenly signs), they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

The end is nearing. We must never place dates, but haters of Christ are multiplying like a virus in a petrie dish! Hate is in! It's in vogue and Christians are fair game! Everyday haters take pot shots at our beliefs and want us to be censored. Soon those verbal assaults will turn into government regulation, then into prison terms and then into open public abuse of believers. Open your eyes people!  Read some liberal blogs and see how violent their rhetoric is against us. It's so filthy and vile, it's not fit to be reprinted! Many of the quotes are from the Hollywood elite and liberal newscasters! Their hate comes off as political commentary, yet Christians continue to support their hateful views by going to their movies and even watching their awards shows!

I guess I just identified another group whose culture I hate: Hollywood! Between actors and singers, those two groups alone have brainwashed innocent young people in believing the lie!

John 15:18 "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."

Christians are hated because the world hates Jesus. The one they should love the most; an innocent and modest man, is the one they hate the most! People hate Jesus because Jesus requires submission and hateful people just won't submit. Rather than having hope, they just hate the person who provides hope! Hate isn't ignorance. People hate because they are deceived. They have false knowledge and accept what's the wide gate to destruction as truth.

It is said about haters "They hate out of ignorance!" Not true. Even the most educated people hate, but it's not due to ignorance. It's due to narcissism! They hate because they want to control their own destiny, but in their hearts they know they can't. They hate because they seek pleasure and Christians tell them it's wrong! Haters do worship a God; the Unknown God, who is now revealed. Christians worship "Self" with the God of Reason at the helm and the harlot of Pleasure as a consort. Man's reason is an obstacle to submission because of wanting to be as God and control their own lives. Controlling their own lives is doing what's right in their own eyes:

Proverbs 21:2 "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart."

It's strange! Haters accuse others of hate because they hate Jesus. They're blind to their own hate! Let's say that tolerance matters to Jesus just as a talking point. Then haters should tolerate the belief of Christians, but they don't. Liberal haters are hypocrites and are deceived. They apply to others tolerance, but are the most intolerant of the intolerant.  What's worse than non-believers who hate Jesus and his disciples, are Christians who hate what Jesus proclaims. Jesus taught purity in thought and deed and liberal Christians are always ready to tolerate any sin, even condone and praise those who are in sin!

Confess, liberal churches! You have no use for the words of Jesus!  What he says are lies to your ears because liberal Christians follow the lies of the devil who is their master. Those churches which tolerate abortion, same-sex marriage, fornication and hate against true Christians are worse than the pagans who burned their own children in the fires of Molech! Liberal preachers, at the "Great White Throne Judgment" will fall short! Rather than "well done good and faithful servant" it will be "I never knew you"!  God doesn't know those who teach his words as lies. God doesn't know those who hate his precepts. God doesn't know those who are haters!

I write this because one pitiful hater doesn't like my speech. Because we have divergent views he hates me! I don't wish him ill will, but my desire for him is that he consider Jesus; the one who loves him without condition, but the one who will have to allow him to suffer the consequences of his own rebellion. Those who hate me for my views should appreciate me for wanting them to also have eternal life! A Christian's duty is to spread "The Good News"! God sacrificed his own son for this one Christ-hater. He loved him that much! The next step is that he water that seed and discover the love of Jesus and what is perceived as "hate" is what Jesus taught. That's just a false perception (deception; false knowledge) of those who don't know God.

Genetic vs. Behavioral: Sin

The pagan singer "Lady Gaga" sang "Born That Way" to support the homosexual lifestyle. Ann Landers has often said that those who engage in same-sex acts are born that way. Progressives tell us that we are to be more tolerant of those who can't help how they were born. However, three things oppose this liberal false dogma; propaganda actually!

Firstly, there is not now nor has there ever been any research showing that infants are born inclined to be homosexual. The only research shows that there may be a difference in brain patterns in homosexuality (Swedish study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal), but it has not been declared that different brain patterns (genetics) causes homosexuality versus homosexuals who have different brain patterns. That's significant. Likewise, if there are different brain patterns, sexual desire may not even be associated with it! (Since brains of corpses were compared the difference may lie in behaviors or conditions which led to death.)

Furthermore, we must be careful regarding methodology. In my own experiments in engineering I'm guilty of making my research methods tilt toward my desired outcome. That's human nature and is called "research bias". Since the aforementioned study was done in an ungodly socialistic humanist Sweden it has no credibility for rational people. In fact if this same study had been done in the United States today popular opinion would bias the results toward "biological" because that's what progressives have already determined. It's also obvious that "research" cannot disagree with what the powers have dictated as truth and can never oppose any abnormal lifestyle because to do so would be "hateful". That said in other words: "Never trust a scientist!" We must never accept any research as conclusive because an honest scientist will never say "We proved that ___________".  An hypothesis is never "proved". A study can only fail to disprove and as such it takes faith to rely on a study!

Homosexuality is not a result of  genetics! The scientist Lady Gaga is biased! Homosexuals who perform research are biased. Those who believe in unlimited personal freedom are biased. Hence, most of society is either biased or have been deceived by those who want to make wrong appear to be right. They teach that if you disagree with progressive opinion that you are hate-filled. No one likes a hater. However, acknowledging truth is not hate!  Just as scientists finally admit that there are genetic differences between the races, that doesn't mean that knowing that we're different causes hate! That's demagoguery!

Because we have emotions doesn't mean that those emotions are acceptable. Emotions result in behaviors! It's not the emotion which is criticized, but the behavior. Many grown men have been attracted to minor-aged girls. That's emotion. If they act on those emotions that's wrong. You see that just because a person has certain feelings doesn't make those feelings legitimate! That emotion is a remnant of our antecedents and is in our genes. We all have a genetic tendency to do wrong. That's called "inborn sin" and comes from "original sin".

Romans 5:12 " Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned..."

 Thus, sin IS genetic. We're all born to sin and we all desire to sin. It's for pleasure; to serve ourselves! Desire is not a sin. That's temptation. However, acting upon our desires IS sin. Those who love truth understand that it takes a considerable amount of self-control to control desire!

James 1:15 "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

 From a Christian perspective, truth as we see it, homosexuality is a behavior. Acting upon temptation results in bad behaviors and bad behaviors are what's called sin. Everyone is born with some type of rebellion in their hearts. That's genetics! Those who desire alcohol are prone to alcoholism, those who are born with a propensity to steal are thieves and those who are born with a propensity for aberrant sexual behavior perform homosexual acts. They are all sins, but some are "abominations". Homosexuality is "disgusting" in the eyes of God!

Because something is disgusting doesn't give a Christian a ticket to hate. If we judge that way so we will be judged by the same measure. We're to love the sinner! It's God's will that the sin is not to be tolerated, but rebuked and when one reproves another engaged in sin, that's the epitome of love. It takes courage!  In fact if we truly love a homosexual (or any sinner) we will tell them how God feels about their sin. It's better to take the chance of hurting feelings, and save them from eternal death. In fact tolerating homosexuality is a damning position and the one not to be offended is the one being hurt!

There is another aspect requiring examination: We can be pragmatic. That's honesty without being accused of being a hateful (sic) Christian! Pragmatism is recognizing that homosexuality is not a normal behavior in the animal kingdom nor with mankind. It has always been an aberration!  Likewise, if one's pragmatic it's obvious to see that today there are more homosexuals because the act is tolerated. People are more free to follow there desires without condemnation!

I'm not a proponent of "Girls Gone Wild", but it's obvious that the girls perform lesbian acts in front of a crowd, not because they're born that way, but that they are seeking attention and pleasure. "Wrong" increases with doing each wrong. Each time a taboo is broached it becomes easier to go further for even more excitement!  Anyone who believes that "girls go wild" with lesbianism are "born that way" are fools. That's behavior. That's what God calls sin! It's amazing how pragmatic God is!

Some say that "They must be born that way. Nobody would choose to be homosexuals!" That's an inherently bad hypothesis and is naive. Who would choose to have a foot fetish? Who would choose to have a defecation fetish? Who would choose to desire bestiality? People don't choose to do wrong! They are so caught up in self-pleasure that their choices are clouded! Studies have shown that most people would inflict increased pain on another after they have done so once. (Milgram Experiment). Yes, people are willing to inflict extreme pain on another! Are they acting on genetics or is that a behavior? They truly are ignoring choice and inflicting pain because people fail to resist desire!

Churches and Christians are to welcome homosexuals to the church. However, we're not to condone the behavior, but lovingly rebuke that behavior just as we would any sin. Those churches who allow homosexuals to be active in the church and unrepentant is heretical. Modern churches are as much in sin as the sinners were in the early churches. Churches which have homosexual leaders or perform same-sex marriages or civil unions are part of Satan's den. Those preachers will be flailing in the fires of hell just as those sinners that they have misled!

God's grace is without bound! Psychologists say that it's unethical to treat homosexuality. Grace is positive. There is no sin too great for God! His grace is without bound. Pray for those friends and relatives who rationalize their behavior to accept Jesus and let Him heal! For those friends and family members who are deceived, Lord, open their eyes to your will!

Mighty Stacy Has Stuck It Out

I was thinking of the Teen Revival for the youth a Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church near Portland, Tennessee and used "Might Casey at the Bat" for inspiration. Although, Mighty Casey struck out, Mighty Stacy stuck it out!

Things were looking dim for the Portland teens that day:
The evil forces were ahead, but with little time left that day,
And then when Cody sinned first, and Harold did the same,
An eery silence fell upon the Angel who always takes the blame!

A struggling few got up to get out of there. The best
Clung to the hope which springs supernal when humans pass the test;
They thought, “If only Stacy could stand the heat of that -
We'd put up a strong defense with Stacy standing pat.”

But Jenn was tested before Stacy, as was Johnny Tate,
And the former smoked hash, while the latter was a fake;
So upon the hopeful angels the grim reaper spat,
For there seemed but little chance of Stacy standing pat.

But Jenn failed to be swindled, and didn't take the fall,
And Tate, so much despised, surprised the rest and stood really tall;
And when the last test had shifted, and true men saw their nerve;
There was Johnny saved in a second and Gwynn hugging the nerd!

Then from five-thousand angels or more there rose a joyful yell;
It reverberated through the shadows and rattled those in hell;
It astounded those at the fountain and foiled the dirty rat,
For Stacy, faithful Stacy, was standing firm for those who only sat.

There was a glow in Stacy's banter as she stepped on the devil's space;
There was a stride in Stacy's not fearing what she was about to face.
And when, responding to dark angels jeers, her heart was really glad,
All doubt subsided from the crowd, 'twas Stacy standing pat!

Ten thousand angels eyes were with her, as she washed her hands from dirt;
Five thousand tongues professed His name as her eyes beamed alert;
Then while the writhing letcher let another lie thus slip,
Confidence reigned in Stacy's eye, as Jesus provided the extra pep.

And now the threat of death hovering came suddenly from the air,
And Stacy stood by watching in holy confidence there.
Close by the sturdy Christian for whom our Savior bled -
“That's for my sin,” said Stacy. “Good one!” the angel said.

From the stenches of sinful people, there went up a billowed roar,
Like the swearing of spirits who at Jesus the Savior swore;
“Kill him! Kill the imposter! All had shouted as they went about their plans.
And they killed him in spite of Pilat who before had washed his hands.

With a gleam of holy charity humble Stacy stood alone;
Her faith stilling the tumult; her love of God greatly shone;
She motioned to the letcher and once more the epithets flew;
But Stacy still ignored it all and the angel said “Good for you!”

“Fraud” screamed the rebellious angels still so awfully proud!
But one verse from the Book and she the others awed.
They saw her face grow warm and bold, they saw her spirit strain,
And they knew that Stacy would stand up to evil again!

The fear had gone from Stacys' grip, she hated that deserving hate,
She abounds with vibrance as she feels all fear abate;
And now the letcher hopes she falls, and another lie he lets go,
And now the evil is shattered by the faith that only God bestows.

Oh, everywhere in this favored land God's Son is shining bright,
The angels are playing out there, and in heaven hearts are light;
And out there men are laughing, and everywhere God's children shout,
And there is joy in Portland --- for faithful Stacy has stuck it out!

Who's Hated the Most?

There is so much hate in the world! It gets worse every day. Hating someone is having  feelings of dislike and even hostility. The hostility is sometimes so extreme that the hater wants to administer extreme pain on the person hated. Bullies hate often for no reason at all!

The world is full of bullies. It has always been! However, at the present time bullying has hit an all time high. Unfortunately, it's those who are perceived as weak who're bullied the most. Christians, at least those who practice love, are perceived as weak. Consequently, Christians are bullied! Because of the pacifist teachings of Christ and loving our enemy, Christians cannot with good conscience strike out at those who hate us! Some believe we should, but the Bible tells us differently... turn the other cheek... Allow God to heap hot coals on their heads... etc.

 John 7:6 "Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. 7 The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil."

I say this without reservation: Jesus is the most hated person to ever have existed!  He's even hated more than Hitler; whose atrocities are in the process of slowly being minimized, even forgotten! However, those endeavoring to follow the lifestyle of Christ are open to disdain. Why? Because with Christ comes rules! Rules people still wish not to follow! Mankind never changes, we've always been in rebellion and we always will be. Christianity is about submitting and submit we won't!

The world hates Christ because he testifies to the evil of the world. He said so in the verse above.  Those who have desires of the flesh place pleasure above obedience and rebellion results. "I won't follow a bunch of rules because I want to enjoy life!"  "I'll do as I want right now and ask for forgiveness later!" That's just not the way it works with Jesus, but somehow we're smarter than God!

We are of the world, so the world hates us very little! Although we are disciples of Christ, we're poor disciples! We are forgiven, but sin has made its mark. We still follow our own desires, and for the most part the world does not hate us for our actions, but because the world hates Christ!  If we stand down the world leaves us alone, but if we stand up for Christ, we're hated!  When a Christian says something that's judgmental against the evils of the world, that person is ostracized. To get along, an apology often follows. While we're consorting with those who hate Jesus and trying to appease them, Jesus never ever apologized! He was right and made no excuses for it. However, we conform to the world and that's not a good thing:

Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

If we're transformed, we too will be hated:

2 Corinthians 4:8 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed..."

If we are righteous we will be persecuted! That's just a condition of being a priest for Christ. If we are righteous for his name's sake, we will be hated! If it hadn't been for hate and persecution Christianity would never have spread throughout the world. God has little regard for this life since life itself is subject to him. God provides eternal life and suffering in this life is worth living forever!

Right now Christianity is persecuted. While the western world once held God in high esteem, God has now been redefined. God has become no more than the practice of social justice. No one can be judged. No one can be rebuked, all behaviors and beliefs are copacetic, and even endeavoring to fulfill "The Great Commission" by proselytizing is called "intolerant" by the thought police! Christianity is a victim. Christianity is being bullied by the world; by those who hate what Christ stands for!

Don't be bullied! Stand up for Christ and his teachings without apology! When God calls something "an abomination", disgusting it is!" When God says to "love others" love we do! When God says "be obedient", obey we must!  When God says to "stand up for truth", truth it is! When God says to "pattern our life after Christ", we make Jesus our model. We do all this in the face of persecution, just as Peter and Paul did! They died for Christ's sake and that death was not caused by the hate of the apostles, but for the hate of Christ. We're to bear the same battle scars as Jesus did! Stand up for America? No stand up for Jesus and America will follow!