Where Morality Goes . . .

And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32 NASB)

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36 KJV)

Throughout the history of mankind, one thing has truly remained a constant. When nations and empires were at their greatest, so was national morality. When national morality began to decline, so did the power and influence of that nation. Morality is what keeps a nation growing, or lack of morality will destroy a nation from within. Those who want to destroy the moral fabric of society want to destroy the nation in itself. Thus, in a democracy, the moral issues should be the forefront of all other issues.
There is a false teaching amongst the secularists: You can not legislate morality. What Christians and non-believers must realize is that there is not a single law that has ever been passed that was not first a moral issue. God knew that immorality would destroy a nation, and gave his 10 laws. These laws are known as the 10 commandments, and also the Moral Laws.
As of right now all 50 states have a law against murder, stealing, rape, etc. All of these are considered crimes against humanity. Are you aware that all 50 states also have laws against adultery? While the penalties vary from state to state all have a law against adultery. In Michigan adultery can be punished by a life sentence, “In a ruling sure to make philandering spouses squirm, Michigan's second-highest court says that anyone involved in an extramarital fling can be prosecuted for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to life in prison.”1 Is this not legislating morality?
Still secularists will use the “moral relativism” argument. They base this argument on if it doesn't harm anyone else, and it makes you happy, then its all right to do. If that's the case, then why are there laws prohibiting the use of drugs. If someone wanted to drop acid in their home, never leave so they're not in danger of hitting someone, and fry their brain that would be all right? That's nonsense! Laws are not just meant to protect us from other people, but they must be in place to protect us from ourselves.
Again, we are in the midst of an election year. I have by many people been called a “racist”, a “single issue voter”, and “not caring about the future of our country”. We are in the midst of economic ruin, and I won't support the one who, by the medias account, will get us out of our economic crisis and lead us back into a golden age of prosperity.
I had a lengthy debate with a co-worker who was trying to understand why I won't support Obama. They even tried to convince me using the conservative approach. “Obama doesn't support gay marriage, so you should vote for him.” (In the Vice-Presidential debate Biden admitted that he and Obama are against homosexual marriage.) They tried to convince me that Obama's economic plan would save the nation and everyone can gain the whole world (see opening quotes). After a couple of minutes of my co-workers monologue I just responded, “Whatever you did not do for the least of these, you did not do for me.” I can not support someone who has no conscience when it comes to the murder of babies.
I do want to make one thing clear: I do support the woman's right to choose. She can choose to make sweet love or not. That's the choice she makes. I do not support anyone's “right” for murder. And what truly is the clincher is “that man” tried to get legislation passed in his home state that if a baby is born alive during a botched abortion, the doctor can let the child slowly die outside of the womb. "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'” (Matthew 25:40 NASB) Imagine the legislation he would try to get passed if he were allowed to be President.
Why is that when it comes to choice, the persons whose life is affected the most, the babies, they are not given the choice? Where is their choice? I have often wondered, what would the people say to Helen Keller who support murdering babies if they will be born with a disability. What would they say to her to convince her that the life she led was worthless?
Instead of worrying about the economy, this nation needs to get back to the basics. This nation needs to follow the Laws of the Lawgiver. Look at how prosperous the nation was when we prayed in school, when we studied the Bible in school, when we put national morality above everything else. When this nation will put God and His laws first, follow the morality that God established, we will once again become an economic prosperous nation. That is a promise of His everything we need will be given to us and more will be added if we seek Him, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 NASB). Don't believe me, look at Solomon. When Solomon sought after God, he became one of the wealthiest people in the world. When he sought after the pagan gods, he lost everything, especially his conscience.

1 http://web.archive.org/web/20070206173058/http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070115/COL04/701150333

Disarming Peter Pt III: Sheathing the Sword

In disarming Peter, Christ disarmed all Christians. Tertullion 2nd Century AD.

The disciple Peter was a hothead. He was boisterous, arrogant, proud, and stubborn. He was the unspoken leader of the twelve disciples. He was the first to jump into a situation, first to defend Jesus, and subsequently, he would often times, be the first to fail. Peter was the prototypical fundamental evangelical Christian. Like all Christians, Peter had his trials, and his failures. It is through his life, that we can learn how to get up when we fall.
Peter was always ready to protect and defend Jesus. He didn't want Jesus to go into Jerusalem, for he know that Jesus was a wanted man, and that entering Jerusalem meant certain death. Then, on a certain day in the Garden of Gethsemane, it happened. Peter's biggest fear was being realized, they came after Jesus to take him away. Peter had to leap into action, to help Jesus, to save Jesus. He drew his sword ready for a rumble. Then Jesus with a harsh rebuke, disarmed Peter for the third time, “Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, 'Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?'” (John 18:10,11 NIV)
How many times do Christians prematurely draw their swords ready to defend Christ, yet fail in the process? Many times, Christians will jump to the wrong conclusion, start quoting the Scriptures, trying to make everything right, but end up making a bigger mess of it. Though our hearts are in the right place, the timing is not what God wants. We must be patient and allow God to work in us, and then work through us. When Peter drew his sword the priest's servant's heart became full of fear and possibly hatred. When Christians attack non believers, how many do it in a ruthless way, as to put hatred in the heart of the person. When Christians start quoting the Scriptures, and telling non believers they will burn in Hell, you're not winning them to the Lord, you're pushing them away. Love them as Christ loved them.
One example of Christ's love for the sinner is the adulterous woman. Jesus knew she was a sinner, the whole world basically knew she was a sinner. When the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought her to Jesus to trap him, Jesus could have consented to their actions and condemned the woman. He could have gone with the crowd and said, “You're a sinner, you must die.” Yet, he didn't. He had compassion upon her and did not condemn her. He did warn her to change her life, but he did not condemn her. Not once throughout the Holy Scriptures did Jesus emphatically tell someone they are going to Hell. He warned them by telling them they are in danger of going there, but he never condemned someone to an eternal punishment. Since Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman, why should we condemn sinners for their actions.
There is a difference between condemning and warning. Condemning is emphatic and permanent. Warning is attempting to turn the person away from their sin. People are more open to change, when warnings are done in love and respect. They are not open to change with an emphatic and permanent condemnation. When coming to Jesus defense, we must understand that Jesus is bigger than us. He doesn't need us to defend him, but he does want us to show our love for him by promoting him and his actions. We must remove our own anger, malice, and condemning attitude and look at people the way Jesus looked at people. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31,32 NIV) “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5 NIV)
When Jesus took away Peter's sword, he was removing the one thing that would harm Peter's witness. From this point on, Peter's sword was God's Word. Peter gave the sermon at Pentecost, that led to thousands coming to salvation. Peter witnessed before the Sanhedrin, even defying their order not to mention Jesus name. Peter witnessed to Cornelius. All of these things Peter did, knowing that death was not far behind, and knowing he had a sword, just not the one he used in the garden.