"Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."
Joel 2:12-13
The links between Israel and the church, mostly the western church, are very interesting and frightening. Yesterday there was a report that President Peres of Israel is willing to cede the Golan Heights to Syria. This is such a strategic military possession. If Syria controlled this high point they could rain down munitions on all of Israel. Surely God would not allow this. It cost them the blood of many men to conquer this area during the Yom Kippur War of 73. This was the key region to the whole war and the control of it is vital to Israel's protection and security. This again reminds me of the physical/spiritual parallels that exist between these two.
Both Israel and the church are allowing political correctness to cripple them. Israel is so worried about world perception that they are risking the lives of their military in order to not appear too aggressive. Remember May of last year when they raided the Mavi Marmara? Their soldiers were pummeled and thrown around before they finally opened fire. Of course the world condemned their actions as always disregarding the truth that any ship running a legal blockade has committed an act of war. They let the world condemn them but had it been in another part of the world the ship could have been sunk and justified by the same media and UN groups that decry "Israeli atrocities". Just sail on into Iranian waters and watch the response. This is just one of many actions that have drawn UN and international condemnation. Just Google search "UN condemns Israel" and look at the huge number of stories confirming this opinion. Next, search "UN condemns Hamas, Hezbollah, or Gaza" and see the difference. While you will find some condemnations, they usually have condemnations for Israel mixed in.
What about the church? From marriage to abortion to the homosexual agenda, there seems to be too many worried about what the world thinks. Whatever happened to holiness? Did not God say, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord...? (Hebrews 12:14)" It is imperative that we detach ourselves from the detritus of this world and turn to following Christ with all our hearts. If we are to see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as Joel prophesied, the latter rain, it will come when we humble ourselves in repentance and walk in the promises of the word. We can't listen to the media and the majority and do valiant things in and for Christ. Jesus was not swayed by popular opinion but by the will of the Father. He was not concerned with political correctness but truth. Can we do any less? I believe God wants a Spirit filled work that is a witness not only to the world but one that provokes Israel to jealousy so that they will hunger and thirst for Messiah Jesus. Think of what Paul said in Romans 11:11, "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." He wants us to be living in love and holiness to the point that no one can deny the power of the risen Lamb. Let's start by following God's word regardless of what men's concepts of political correctness say!
Where would Israel have been if Esther would have caved in to political correctness? Where would the church have been if Luther, Huss, and Wycliffe caved in to that same sort of pressure? Those who do the greatest works for Christ serve God like Jesus did. They follow the example of Jesus whom Isaiah prophesied about, "For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. (Isaiah 50:7)"
Israel and the Middle East
President Peres Says Israel Willing To Cede Golan to Syria - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
Israel holds secret talks with Russia in bid to thwart recognition of Palestinian state - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
George Will: Mideast peace process is a mirage
Peace Now Worried Jews May Build on Jewish-Owned Land - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
Israel: Missiles in Next War Will Reach Tel Aviv
Palestinians: 9 killed in IDF air strikes on Gaza - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
Iron Dome intercepts three Grad rockets as attacks on southern Israel continue - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
US Embassy Cable: Hamas-Hizbullah Arms Smuggling - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
Peres to Ban: UN can't remain neutral with regard to Gaza
Salvo Of 12 Mortar Shells From Gaza Hit Southern Israel - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
As in the Days of Noah--The Rise of Godlessness--Our Need For Repentance!
Texas Pastor Charged in Wife's Shooting Death - FoxNews.com
The Barna Group - Barna Identifies Seven Paradoxes Regarding America’s Faith *****
UK NEWS: CHARISMATIC PASTOR JAILED FOR 8 MONTHS FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING TEENAGE BOY « WWW.MADNEWS.BIZ
Beck to address CUFI conference | Glenn Beck | Jewish Journal Since when is Mormonism, which holds Jesus and Satan as brothers, Christian? This is a severe lack of discernment--another sign of the last days!
Political correctness in the Church can trace it's roots and early beginnings to 1956 when then Senator Johnson (later President Johnson) sponsored legislation quelling Pastors in churches from speaking out against political candidates or politicians; especially since Johnson himself was engaged in illicit activities and having a sorted past. No one questioned or stood up to Johnson and his censoring of the church. Today Pastor's use this gag-order as an excuse to remain silent on almost every social-ill in America. They don't want to speak out for fear of losing their tax-exempt status; political correctness, and social niceties rule the day. Very few churches today offer that "ole time religion" and "tell it like it is" gospel.
ReplyDeleteWhat is worrisome is that Glenn Beck has in many respescts become the defacto Evangelical Leader in America, with many ascribing to his quasi-christian, morally-void libertarianism.
In His Service,
Tom