(concerning a Wesleyan Church/School coming under Government attack in Indiana)
This is not an Obama thing. It took place in a big way under Reagan, and before. Y'all know I am not an Obama fan, but truth is truth. It is a Light/Darkness battle. Building Codes, Zoning, Homeland Security, any excuse will do. And they will keep on until they find whatever works. Seeking a variance and other submission does not make Jesus Lord of the Church.
OK, I do not expect folks to understand my point of view, because they do not hold my view of the Sovereign Lordship of Christ over His Church and they have not gone nose to nose with a State system that wants to gut the Church of its Life, destroy our children and squelch our message.
I would encourage the congregation in this news article to not compromise an iota. Stand, fight and even die before seeking State permission to obey God. Parents need to realize this is a test balloon to see if the State can intimidate a church in a small denomination.
OK, I do not expect folks to understand my point of view, because they do not hold my view of the Sovereign Lordship of Christ over His Church and they have not gone nose to nose with a State system that wants to gut the Church of its Life, destroy our children and squelch our message.
I would encourage the congregation in this news article to not compromise an iota. Stand, fight and even die before seeking State permission to obey God. Parents need to realize this is a test balloon to see if the State can intimidate a church in a small denomination.
But, based on my years of experience in this arena, I realize no one will really listen to me. People think I am a nut case. However, read the Scriptures, read history and read about the Church in oppressed parts of the world.
The State in Amerika has attacked independent churches, cults and now is moving on small denominations, looking for the right hold, until they finally control all Bible believing, Christ honoring Christianity in America.
One of the worst things this church could do is get State permission to do what God has commanded them to do (at least, in our present governmental structure). After all, it is the first part of the first amendment that is under attack. EVEN MORE, IT IS THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST OVER HIS CHURCH that is under attack.
Since the 1980s I have had better fellowship with Christians from Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Iraq and other oppressed areas concerning this issue, than with westernized Christianity.
The Church is not a two headed monster. Either Christ is the One Lord of the Church or He is not.
ANOTHER THING...
Let me also say:
The State in Amerika has attacked independent churches, cults and now is moving on small denominations, looking for the right hold, until they finally control all Bible believing, Christ honoring Christianity in America.
One of the worst things this church could do is get State permission to do what God has commanded them to do (at least, in our present governmental structure). After all, it is the first part of the first amendment that is under attack. EVEN MORE, IT IS THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST OVER HIS CHURCH that is under attack.
Since the 1980s I have had better fellowship with Christians from Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Iraq and other oppressed areas concerning this issue, than with westernized Christianity.
The Church is not a two headed monster. Either Christ is the One Lord of the Church or He is not.
ANOTHER THING...
Let me also say:
Another one of my weird beliefs is Non-Violence or Christian peacemaking (but it is Biblical too).
NO! I do not believe the State should throw away its sword, since God gave the sword to the State, to protect the righteous and punish the wicked. However, the Bible clearly teaches that followers of Christ are called to be peacemakers, NOT wielders of Peacemakers (ala Wyatt Earp).
The unregenerate State is responsible for law and order in society. The Church, believers, are called to bear the sword of the Spirit, not the sword of steel. His kingdom is not of this world, if it was, His servants would fight. Let me add quickly that I do not advocate violence, though violence may be the only option left for an earthly system.
With that said. I think Christians should stop boasting about their willingness to take up arms against the enemies of freedom, family and faith. My position is either do it or shut up about it; either walk it or don't talk it. Don't tell me how you will fight to the death for God and country, when we both know you won't; especially those who have sworn to protect us from all enemies, domestic and foreign.
NO, NO, a thousand times NO. The answer for the the believer is not to take up the sword of steel, since
With that said. I think Christians should stop boasting about their willingness to take up arms against the enemies of freedom, family and faith. My position is either do it or shut up about it; either walk it or don't talk it. Don't tell me how you will fight to the death for God and country, when we both know you won't; especially those who have sworn to protect us from all enemies, domestic and foreign.
NO, NO, a thousand times NO. The answer for the the believer is not to take up the sword of steel, since
We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers...
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual...
His kingdom is not of this world, if it were, His servants would fight.
We are called to
spread the gospel of peace,
serve the Prince of Peace and be peacemakers.
However, the answer is not spineless compliance (which is nothing less than surrender to a new king). The answer is, obey God, no matter what it takes. Either be the Bride of Christ or the whore of the State, but you cannot be both. When the Head of the Church commands us to do His will, His people do not ask permission from the State to obey our Lord, King, Master, Bridegroom. Obedience to God makes us good citizens, it does not make us mindless slaves of the State. To surrender a little bit now means surrendering it all, eventually. The Christian response is not guns, it is spiritual courage, putting on the whole armor of God and obeying God, rather than men, even if it costs us our wealth, our freedom, our families or our lives.
Again, I do not expect this to be well received, because American, westernized, modern Christianity has no concept of Biblical peacemaking and the Lordship of Christ over His Church.
Again, I do not expect this to be well received, because American, westernized, modern Christianity has no concept of Biblical peacemaking and the Lordship of Christ over His Church.
