Three Threats…Which is the Greatest Threat to Our Country and Freedom?
“Without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without law, liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes licentiousness.”
—James Wilson (1790)
We must be willing to stand for what is right and best and against what is unjust and harmful and not allow anyone to create a situation or culture that will destroy what we are working toward. All three of the following issues must be given attention as we move forward. We must be diligent, vigilant, compassionate and truthful in all things to overcome any actions that will destroy our God-given freedoms. We must be wise and discerning to listen and work through the real issues and avoid being blindsided by those whose agenda is control and power. We must be able to empathize with those who are hurting while holding fast to the facts as they truly are…not as our feelings want them to be.
I always go first to God and His Word for Truth, comfort, peace and solutions. So, you’ll see Scriptures applicable to each issue. As we’re willing to apply them in our lives and relationships we will see major change and avoid lies and manipulation.
1. Covid-19 pandemic – Obviously a global issue, impacting our health and economies. On the surface this appears to be the greatest threat. As we’ve already seen, there is a return to some normalcy. That will continue as we create a “herd immunity” from those who have contracted the virus as well as those who will eventually receive the vaccine once it is developed (now likely within 6 months). In the meantime let us make wise choices and encourage our fellow human beings to do the same. This is solvable and will allow us to return to enjoying our freedoms and freedom of movement, as we are careful and prudent in our health decisions and personal interactions.
The answers and our hope are in the promises of God that I pray will strengthen your faith…God as Healer; the manifestation of Christ’s healing in his suffering and wounds that He took for us, and; His protection from disease.
I, the Lord, am your healer. Exodus 26:15 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” For it is He who delivers you from the … deadly pestilence… You will not be afraid of the terror by night… Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness… For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. Psalm 91:1-3, 5-6, 9-10
2. Social injustice and bigotry – We must listen and stand with our black brothers and sisters doing our best to erase every form of systemic and community injustice and bigotry. We must also remember that while we can legislate justice and punish injustice, bigotry cannot be removed by force or control. Removing bigotry and bias is only achieved by an individual’s heart change. While many philosophies, religions, and ultimately humanism, claim they can bring about this change of heart, history has shown them all to be dismal failures. The only One that can change hearts is Jesus and as we show others that change in our hearts, willingly surrendering to Him, we hope they will desire and do the same. Let’s fight injustice and the outcomes of bigotry on every level but let’s do so in a way that we are a witness to His Truth, Love and Grace so others might have the chance to come to know Him and have their hearts changed. This brings about the lasting systemic change that we desire. Let’s also be discerning and wise as to whom we listen to and how we respond.
It’s time that mutual love and respect are action items, not bullet points!
The love and justice needed is found in God’s Word and faithfulness as we strive in His strength to truly love all others and especially our black brothers and sisters!
How wonderful & pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! Psalm 133:1 Are we not all children of the same Father? Created by the same God? Malachi 2:10 Your love for one another proves to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:21
Both of these present threats to our personal and cultural health and we must continue to address them compassionately and carefully. However there is another issue and it poses by far the greatest threat to who we are as people and as a nation.
In war, truth is the first casualty. Athenian playwright Aeschylus
In the never-ending quest for power by any means necessary, truth has indeed become the first casualty. Rather than presenting America with the facts, media, academia, Hollywood, virtue-signaling corporations, and cowardly politicians abide the destruction of their own cities, hundreds of businesses (many minority-owned), and the Rule of Law itself. The “fundamental transformation of the United States” demands nothing less. Arnold Ahlert
This helps no one and actually hinders and harms those who are truly seeking racial justice and equality! Let us be diligent not to allow this third issue to destroy all we are working for.
3. A moral crisis highlighted by those who pander divisiveness and extreme agendas – While passions are high regarding the injustice (rightfully so), those who manipulate and use the anger, bitterness, rioting, and looting to play on people’s emotions and fears! They promise immediate gratification through political or government “solutions” if we will just vote them into power. This political agenda and the players involved have shown themselves willing to do whatever is necessary to be in control.
Most of those espousing systemic change without looking to individual heart change will present tired, old agendas and ideologies, doctored up as though they were new in order to appear that their focus is injustice and racism. Test them deeply as their attempts have proven to be temporary at best and destructive long-term or self-serving at worst in a rabid grasp for power and control.
“Wannabe radicals are taught the essence of community organizing and the mechanics of anarchists: Change the end goal, make terms relative, and never come to a point of resolution. Instead, just keep the chaos stirred by playing on fears, emotions, and anger. Alinsky describes “how to organize for power: how to get it and how to use it.” The basis for his formula is to DIVIDE the population into Haves, Have-Nots, Have-a-Littles, and Want-Mores, using personal politics to mobilize citizens.” (Robin Smith) (Bold & caps mine and added).
Think about it…this all plays on who we are as selfish human beings! How in the world are we going to learn to love and respect one another when this is the defining and predominant narrative being given a voice? Don’t let these people abduct the narrative and destroy work that really helps bring about health, justice and equality! Have we learned nothing from the past?
Government and communities can’t change hearts. Their promises are empty if they are not willing to work for personal and relational healing. This is where we must focus our attention and efforts to build loving and caring people and communities!
The foundations of our country are not irredeemably racist. Abolition, women’s suffrage, desegregation, the Civil Rights movement—these were not appeals to overthrow our values, these were demands that we fulfill them. And the Constitution that once considered slaves three-fifths of a human being was ultimately the vehicle used to free them and, eventually, to secure their most basic rights. Senator Marco Rubio (Full article here)
Again we turn to His Word for the wisdom, discernment and peace needed…
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17
Check out this thought provoking article…Patrick Hampton article.
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Make it a great day and God bless in Christ!
Love and Lordship…Food for Thought – Wisdom and discernment begins with fearing The Lord and placing our fellow man above us. This is what we’re called to as Christ followers to help control the spread of the pandemic, fight the injustice of racism and expose the deceptions and manipulations of those who would use both for their own favor.
Love and Lordship…Action Item(s) – Pray for God’s healing to be evident in the pandemic and practice good physical distancing as needed. Pray for His people to act in love toward all people especially our black brothers and sisters and attend unity rallies and follow through in building relationships in His love. Pray for us to stand up for justice and against bigotry and speak out to expose extreme agendas that promise solutions but are only for selfish gain.