Turning Point

Today we live in a nation that divided into factions.  We live in silos where we think all the people on the other side are evil.  Too many of us believe what we hear on the news and are quick to view people with opposing views as not worthy.  As unjust and sometimes deserving death.

Too many people live with this warped sense or morality.  And too often many political leaders promote violence. Promote stopping people they disagree with in public places and tell the public to “make a scene”.  They call people who stand for godly principles fascists and racists and the like.  Those people who promote violence are the real fascists, racists, and haters of America.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday is evidence of the great ills of our nation. Evidence of the mental and spiritual death that has infected our society and our politics.  We used to live in a country where we could disagree on policy, on politics, or even on faith without it leading someone being targeted for murder.  We used to tolerate and even support people who promoted family, faith, and country.  It used to be that we could disagree vehemently without being hateful and violent.  That day is no more.

We have a choice to make.  Do we want to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave or in a hellhole where life is not valued, where faith is in government and not God, where politics is primary and divine identity is an ephemeral concept?  Do we want to head down a path that leads to the destruction of our nation and our way of life?  Do we want to burn our enemies from the river to the sea or have a sea of empathy towards others that believe or vote different than ourselves?

If you want to live in a country that honors all people, that supports what is natural, fair, or godly than we must speak up!  We cannot be silent.  If you believe in free speech speak up! If you believe in the God of the Bible being a foundational principle of life and governance speak up!  If you believe that we should always decry evil, and injustice speak up!  If you believe that every person’s voice should be heard than speak up!

If we do not speak up and then our voice could silenced. Our communities can be marginalized.  This is even more important for those of us who are believers in the New Testament truth of the Bible.  There are so many cases in the Word of God where the Disciples were beaten, threatened, defamed, and killed for standing up and speaking the Word of God. 

Paul talks a great about this in 2^nd Corinthians where he always exalts the Word of God and the God of the Word.  Reminding people to be godly and live righteous lives.  Not to listen to false prophets or ministers exulting themselves.  But to focus squarely on God’s Word, God’s promises, and ultimately discipling others in the faith.  Each Disciple or person who stood up for what was right by God had courage.

We should remember that God gave us great power through faith in Jesus as the Son of God.  But we also have great responsibility.  We should not settle for injustice, and we should not promote death to people who disagree with our viewpoints.  If we do not speak then we are part of the problem with the world and with humanity itself. 

The believer can bind what is on earth and in heaven or to loose it.  Do we want to loose death and destruction? Do we want “care” that affirms that desires of men but not the value of the life of others?  We should stand up to address social ills and even fiscal responsibilities , but we also need to affirm the value of life itself, and one lived in submission to the Word of God.

Too many of us follow a social gospel but not the full Gospel of Truth. We have the authority of God via our faith in Christ Jesus.  We should be compelled to call out this death as unjust even if we do not agree with the man himself.    We see this again and again in the Bible and the history of Christendom itself.  People killed by others who extoled their moral virtue and used the delusion as justification to murder others.

Let us exemplify what is just.  We cannot tolerate Kirk’s murder as the new normal or as a morally equivalent act.  Let us stand up to hate, ignorance, division, and the very plans of devil himself.  We can be different but also value the person who is different from us. 

God calls us to repentance so let us repent.  Repent for our hate.  Repent for our ignorance. Repent for being divided, oftentimes, against the Word God.  Let us extend the grace God gives us daily to others, and in so doing we can live a nation that respects political differences, values life, and exemplifies the God of our creation. 

Rise up!