August 19. 2017

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

Christians are called to live 180 degrees different than non-believers. 

This verse highlights one of the primary ways that difference is manifested. Christ-followers ACT they don't REACT! That is because we live by PRINCIPLES not by our PASSIONS.

Over this past week we have observed a textbook case of overreaction! Anyone who can get you to react has taken charge of your life.

Charlottesville was a classic demonstration of how leftists work. They orchestrate a chaotic situation and then use their thugs and the media to create an overreaction to steer public opinion in a direction they want it to go.

I get angry over these tactics and it upsets me. When angry or upset it is easy to overreact. But Christians act they don't react. I want to live with passion and energy but I ask God the Holy Spirit to help me not overreact.

In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul describes what it looks like to live with passion but according to principles:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." 

How will you act today?

The End Of America As Founded??

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead," Philippians 3:13

The other day I heard the President say, "When you start tearing down historical monuments where will it end?"

He asked if they would eventually remove Thomas Jefferson or George Washington? Will they change the name of Washington DC?

Sure enough, those suggestions have been made.

They won't really take down the Washington Monument will they?

They wouldn't destroy the Jefferson Memorial would they?

What if they just renamed them?

Where does it end?

Taken to it's logical conclusion the University of Virginia would need to be closed since it was founded by Thomas Jefferson.

What about James Madison University or George Mason or George Washington University? Could you ignore Washington and Lee University or Randolph Macon? Then you would have a hard time making a case for the existence University of Mary Washington University, would you not?

Where does it end?

It has to end some where. What is the ultimate target of this relentless attack on our history?

I believe the end game is the undermining of the founding of our nation. If all of our Founders were slave holders and if they are all dishonored then how can we have faith in the Constitution they wrote and ratified?

And if we discredit the Constitution then what happens to the rights and freedoms guaranteed therein? Who will then determine our rights and privileges as citizens? What will be the new foundation for America?

Where does it end?

It will end with the end of America as founded.

Do you think I'm carrying this to an extreme conclusion? 

Then you tell me where you see it ending. 

It will only end if courageous people in leadership which will stand up against it, defend our founding and say, "No more."

Do we have such leaders?

Time will tell.

Meanwhile, at FredWes we will continue "Loving people to LIFE!"

I Thessalonians 5 gives counsel to God's people in lawless times:

"Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,  for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Brothers and sisters, pray for us.  Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."