Thoughts of Another Traveler…

This seems to be the theme of today’s world.  Everywhere we turn we hear the cry for peace and unity.  Politicians are pushing diplomacy, peace talks, and negotiations.  Supermodels have life goals of working towards “World Peace.”  Governments, non-profits, and religious organizations are being built with the sole purpose of building a utopia where can all live at peace.  On the surface these appear to be worthy goals.  At the heart of Christianity is a call to live in peace, and to love all mankind.  I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want to live in a world with no war, no suffering and dying, and no disagreements about religious beliefs?  On the surface it would seem to be exciting to find more and more believers who are passionate about world peace.  But is it a REAL possibility, and is it a noble and worthwhile goal for a Christian to be living for?

With the current events of recent days, I have spent many hours pondering what I really believe about a few things.  I have watched our President make a valiant attempt to convince people around the world that we desire peace.  At the same time, I read reports everyday of evil dictators, who if given the chance, would wipe America and Christianity from the face of the Earth.  These are times when your faith is tested.  These are times when basing your world view, your faith, and your political beliefs on only portions of scripture can be deceiving and detrimental to your entire spiritual foundation.  This is not a Republican or Democratic issue.  This is not a right wing or left wing issue.  This is a fundamental issue that has been going on since the creation of man, and that affects all mankind.

I thought I would write a bit and share a few things that might provoke us al l to think a bit about the world we live in today.  Now before I even get started, there will be those that will immediately label me a “Right Wing War-Monger” because of some of the unpopular beliefs I share on this matter.  I suppose that is fine if you want to label me.  I simply ask that you read with an open mind some of these thoughts.  Curse me at the end if you want, but please don’t post any curse words on my Facebook because my kids read the posts!!  

I want to start by saying this, “Jesus was and is the most divisive person in all of history!”  There is no way around this fact.  Although it seems very popular today to pick and choose the aspects of Jesus one wants to love and worship—and ignore the aspects that make us cringe with conviction—this does not change the fact that Jesus was very clear in who He claimed to be, and He was very clear in the truths He proclaimed.  Yes, He showed love to all people.  Yes, he healed the sick.  Yes, he ministered to the down and out.  Yes, He built relationships with people from all walks of life.  He also infuriated those who refused to believe that He was who He said He was.  He also proclaimed that HE was the ONLY way to God the Father and eternal life.  He also called people out publicly for living in sin.  And He preached absolute after absolute that alienated and angered people to the point that they nailed him to a cross.  Did Jesus teach that we could all believe whatever we wanted and that was ok?  Did Jesus teach that if believers worked and ministered enough that world peace was achievable?  Read just a couple of these controversial statements below to see what comes to my mind:

• “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.   For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.   And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.   And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.   He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
• “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.   For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.   All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
• “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.   And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.    And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.    And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.   But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. “

As I have been re-reading many of the passages that contain these “Controversial” words of Jesus—I become amazed at how many times I find myself saying, “Wow, that sounds just like the world we live in today!”   Sadly, it seems it used to sound like the world abroad, and now it rings true right here in America!  Obviously, we are living in a day when we are seeing more and more how “Offensive” Christ is.  You can’t talk about Him in public—religion is now strictly personal.  You can’t mix Him with your politics—that offends the “Separation of Church and State.”  You can’t bring Him to work—you might offend a co-worker.  You can’t vote your beliefs based on His teachings—that makes you an unintelligent radical right winger.   Kids have to be careful at school—they might have an atheist professor who dictates the classroom and grades.  You can’t celebrate His birthday or call it “Christmas” anymore—that offends the Jewish, Muslim, and Secular progressives.  And even though approximately 74% of people in our country identify with the “Christian” faith—according to our current president we should no longer call ourselves a “Christian” nation because we are “Offending” the rest of the world.  I suppose it is about time for believers to move to the caves and catacombs, and keep our mouths shut for the sake of “World Peace.”

Or maybe we just need to start realizing a few ugly truths that are not Politically correct, but historically accurate:

• Jews and Christians will never see eye to eye—the claims of Christ are divisive
• Muslims and Christians will never see eye to eye—the claims of Christ are divisive
• Communism and Christianity will never see eye to eye—the claims of Christ are divisive
• Humanism and Secularism will always deny the teachings of Christ—they are divisive

The lack of Spiritual insight in people today leads them to believe that if we just avoid the appearance or belief of absolute truth, that it will make everything ok.  It will help everyone “Just get along!”  The problem is that Christianity is based on a complete set of absolute truths and teachings that will always bring divisiveness, and will always offend those who do not believe.  When Jesus stated, “I came not to send peace, but a sword” He was NOT promoting war and killing that should be carried out by believers.  He was simply preparing the disciples and believers to follow for a very ugly truth.  His claim to absolute truth; and His teachings would offend those who refused to believe.  In fact, they would at times be offended to the point of hatred, war, and killing that would cost believers their lives if they chose to stand true in those beliefs.     

Does this mean that we can’t all get along?  I do believe that this means that as long as there are religious belief systems that claim different absolute truth—people will be offended, and once people are offended they very often become enemies out of hatred.  Now it goes without saying that as believers we are issued an absolute teaching by Jesus to love all, and hate none.  (Sadly, the church has lived in failure on that teaching too many times.)  Nevertheless, remember that those who are deceived by the great enemy of Christ, and are guided by his beguiling ways—do not live by that same mandate.  Don’t be fooled by the popular post-modern acceptance of multiple truths and the feel good philosophy that Spiritual truth is whatever a person decides in their own heart.  Either Christ was who He said he was, “The way, the truth, and the life” or He wasn’t.  There is no way around that.  Somebody is right and somebody is wrong.  Either, Jewish people are right, and we are still waiting on the savior of the world.  Or, the Muslims are right, and Mohammed is the only way to eternal life.  Or, the Buddhists are right, and Buddha is the only way to truth.  Or, the atheists are right, and there is no God.  We could go on and on, but the point is made.  We might be able to get along, but we can never agree on absolutes that are so absolutely and eternally at odds with one another.  

Yes, we can remove the label of “Christian Nation” from America, and that might make a few countries feel better about us.  But don’t be fooled by the shallow stance of those who live, think, and make decisions without Spiritual discernment.  War, hatred, and killing over religious absolutes have been going on since the beginning of man.  The Jewish and Arab people have been fighting and killing for 3000 years or more—a fence riding, smooth talking, educated President who claims to be Christian, but has a Muslim name is not going to change that.  Dictators have been trying to take over the world throughout history, guided by a real evil and real satanic power, and getting rid of some nuclear weapons so America does not appear “Arrogant” is not going to change that.  “Proclaimed” Muslims and Christians alike have been deceived in hatred to the point of killing since the days of Abraham, and fixing America’s economy is not the answer.  I recently read an article, and the author quoted one of our founding forefathers, John Adams, as saying, “We don’t have a government or a constitution capable of taming the animal passions of mankind.”  The same author quoted the prophet Jeremiah as prophesying, “The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can know it?”  Spiritual discernment, Jesus Christ, the Bible, our forefathers, and history confirm these powerful statements.  We would do well to remember these truths in the current times.  More importantly, the leaders of our new self-proclaimed “Non-Christian” nation would do well to understand these truths as they attempt to sugar coat, socialize, and diplomatically solve the problems of America and the world.

I am not a racist—I hate no man because of his creed, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or skin color.  I am not a war promoter either.  I hate war, especially senseless killing based on hatred, greed, or diversity.  Nevertheless, if I believe the scriptures and prophecies of Jesus, war and hatred are not going away anytime soon.  War and Hatred are by-products of the enemy of Christ, and any person or country whose hearts have not been changed by His truth and teaching, will always be vulnerable to promoting such.  Until that day, promised by Christ, when He shall return, and His enemy will be eliminated from power on the Earth, there will be diversity because of absolutes.  We can all get along—until absolute truth becomes the line drawn in the sand.  And absolute truth will always draw a line in the sand.  

There will always come a time to die for what you believe in.  We may die as martyrs as the early church and the persecuted church around the world today.  We may die as soldiers called to defend freedoms that have been granted by almighty.  Americans and Christians in America have stood, sacrificed, and died for absolutes since before we were a nation.  In fact, that is how we became a nation in 1776.  Those absolutes were based on an American dream that was built on something much more significant than the houses, cars, wealth, power, and retirement of today’s American dream.  They were absolutes built on freedom, hope, Biblical truths and a belief in the ONE true God.  Throw away these absolutes, and we might just be able to get along with everyone for a while—but what are we really living for?  And more importantly, what would we be willing to die for?  World Peace?

I believe from the bottom of my heart that living for world peace, a one world government, and some great utopia in the future IS an absolute honorable goal.  In my absolute belief system, that is called “Heaven.”  It is the dwelling place of our Creator and Savior, and it is void of all evil.  It is also the promised eternal home of all believers.  Until then, I am called to love others, minister the gospel, share truth, and stand up for what I believe in to the point of dying.  If that offends someone, causes them to hate me, and draws a line in the sand, then so be it.  It is not like I got into this belief system without warning.  It is not like Jesus did not let us know this is the way it would be.  When I signed on, I took the forgiveness, love, grace, mercy, blessings, and miracles—I also took the fact that He is absolute truth, and I will be persecuted for believing that.  Believer in Christ, be prepared!  Jesus also proclaimed one other strong statement.  He said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”  Doesn’t sound to me like our Savior had much time for patience or compromise!  I didn’t sign up for a life where everyone likes me.  I signed up to proclaim a message of truth—absolute truth!  

Sure, I think we can all get along—just don’t push me to bury what I believe to be absolute truth so that you are not offended.  I won’t live in hate.  I won’t force my belief system on others.  I will pray for my enemies and those who hate me.  But I will live what I believe, and the only way to stop me will be to silence me by force.  That is not unintelligence; that is not American or Christian arrogance—that is living for something that you are willing to die for.  This is not about America or world politics.  This is not about patriotism or bi-partisanship.  This is about truth.  Take away the America our forefathers founded; take away our freedom; re-write the constitution; dictate our country into socialism, fascism, or communism; nevertheless, the truth of Christ will still be divisive!  In fact, let the rest of the world alone.  Let Iran build nuclear weapons; let Kim Jong II rule with an iron fist; patronize evil men like Hugo Chavez; and build relationships with Fidel Castro; heck, bring back Saddam Hussein and let him have Iraq back, most Americans don’t believe that fight was worth fighting anyway; nevertheless, the truth of Christ will still be divisive!  Believe me; I pray that none of these events happen. But if they do, I pray I have what it takes to remain true.  I pray that I have what it takes to stand strong.  I pray I have what it takes to refuse to “Just get along peacefully” and live for nothing!  I pray I would be prepared to die for the truths that have built nations, defeated the enemy, conquered dictators, fought for the unborn children, fed the hungry, cared for widows and orphans, and can ultimately save a world!

In John 17, Jesus prayed for the disciples, and for all believers to come after them.  He did not pray for peace, prosperity, wealth, and a comfortable life without sacrifice.  He prayed for Unity.  Not “World Peace” among people of any belief.  He prayed for Unity among those who put their faith in HIM.  Jesus knew that the world filled with evil hearts, greed, deceit, and confusion would never “Just all get along!”  But His will was that those with faith in an absolute truth would stand together, work together, believe together, and suffer together to take that truth to a field ripe for harvest.  That is a noble and worthwhile goal to be working toward!  That is a cause worth dying for!  I don’t want enemies.  I don’t like it when people don’t like me.  I especially don’t like it when people want to kill me.  But it sounds to me like if I believe in Christ and stand for His truth—I may not be able to avoid those things.  Jesus did not.  The Disciples did not.  The early church did not.  The Persecuted church around the world today cannot.  We might solve some of America’s temporary political problems by being nice, throwing away truth, and avoiding any stance that might cause diversity.  Our new leaders of intellectual greatness might just sugar coat, and diplomatically throw away 200+ years of absolute beliefs in order to help everyone “Just get along” for a short time.  But the believer in Christ does not have that luxury.  There is a line drawn in the sand.  We didn’t draw it, and we can’t scratch it out.  We must unite and live and die for it!  That is our cause, and that is the road that we must travel as believers.  God Bless!