Does anyone else feel as though all freedom of speech has been trashed in our country? That even though we have a certain amount of freedom right now, many people are systematically being intimidated into silence by those who are in the ruling positions.
Did anyone notice that our politicians running for the presidency didn't clearly speak out against transgender, homosexuality or immoral activity that would leave them a target by the media?
If politicians don't have the strength to speak out against abominations, how can they be expected to lead a nation? Financial responsibility and secure borders are nice but will not gain us God's favor. They are superficial band aide responses to serious moral decay. It is this moral decay that is destroying the finances and the border problem.
Defending "freedom" should not be the goal of any believer. Personal freedom only comes when there is respect and honor for God. Our freedom is not in being able to carry out any abomination we please. True freedom is spiritual freedom from the domination of sin in our hearts.
When Christ changes us into a new creation we are free from the desire to engage in behavior that destroys. Our soul has been transformed, not reformed meaning the old made new, but rather transformed, meaning the old has been done away with completely in our spirit. We do battle with the fallen and dying flesh as our spirit wars against it. A believer will battle the flesh, hating what he knows his fleshly sinful nature is, although becoming victorious over it with the Helper, Christ Jesus Who empowers us to do so.
The unbeliever defends their sinful nature, indulging it, angry when challenged to evaluate themselves, they persist purposefully to defy rules and principles placed within us at creation by God. Ephesians 4:18 "They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart."
Notice that last phrase in Ephesians 4:18, "because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart." It is a hardened heart that brings ignorance of righteousness, a choice to reject the truth.
Romans 1:18-19 "18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "…16 So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…"
Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Romans 5:1-11 "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ..."
Our country used to understand righteousness because of the boldness of believers in it. Now that believers have become powerless in their quest to be accepted by the culture, they have given up all righteous ground. The believers in our country have retreated into themselves to be loved and elevated by secular and ungodly family members.
There is nothing more selfish than keeping the way of salvation a secret, for no other reason except to live a pleasurable life on this planet, which is passing away and very soon. Empathy for the lost should be paramount in our lives, empathy that leads us to plead with them to ask God Who He is and what He has done for us. The love of God is elusive to those who will not listen to the gospel message. The love they seek leads to eternal death, the love Christ offers leads to eternal life. This earthly life is very short in comparison to eternity, there is nothing to be gained by holding onto the things of this life, absolutely nothing of value.
Proverbs 29:24-26 "…24 He who is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He hears the oath but tells nothing. 25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. 26 Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD.…"
1 Timothy 6:9-11 "…9 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness."
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