If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
John 8:36
One of my favorite books is the classic by William Wilberforce entitled A Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians in the Higher and Middle Classes in This Country, Contrasted with Real Christianity. (Modern versions are usually just titled Real Christianity) Wilberforce was very concerned that his reader should understand the overwhelming difference between a cultural Christian and the genuine article--one who walks with Christ in the full pardon of their sins and seeks to walk in the liberty of Christ while witnessing to others of that same liberty.
In 1785 Wilberforce had what he termed as a conversion experience that drew him into a deep, consistent devotion to Jesus Christ. Since William was a Member of English Parliament, he was not sure that he could stay in politics as a believer. He wrestled with leaving politics for a line of work pursuing Christ and ministry. Two men, William Pitt the future Prime Minister and John Newton (writer of "Amazing Grace") convinced William to continue serving the public and serve Christ in the public arena. Shortly after this William began to realize that believers should always seek to better society as a whole. Furthermore, he felt that a Christian should do all within his/her power to set things right and enact legislation that gave men liberty while seeking to stop those with power who followed their own sinful ends. It is for this he is most famous.
Beginning in 1786 he began pushing a bill in Parliament to abolish the slave trade in England and all its colonial possessions. He would see Christ as one who set men free and not an enforcer of slavery. Much effort was put into stopping the trade and ultimately abolishing the practice of slavery. After 21 years of dogged determination the Slave Trade Act stopped the trade in March of 1807. The effort was continued onward by like minded men after his withdraw from Parliament until the practice of slavery was totally abolished in 1833 throughout all British Territories. From teaching Sunday School to creating the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Wilberforce worked to create laws that liberated men from wicked practices and not enslave them. Where are those who pursue laws that free men from sin while seeking the betterment of all of civilization and not just a select minority who wish to maintain sinful practices for their own benefit while tearing down the very fabric of Christianity in their nation?
Before you listen to the foolish dribble of saying that you cannot legislate morality, what are the laws of the land? Are they not the morality of that land? Are they not the observances and moral codes that control the conduct of the citizens of that land? The laws of a land are the morality of the land. They were epitomized by God in the Torah which is often also referred to as the LAW of Moses. A further study of history will show these to be the underpinnings of many societies. A country, therefore, that passes immoral laws is in trouble with the ultimate lawgiver--God.
In the last few weeks we have seen the passage of laws that tear down society and enslave men, women, and children to wretched sinful practices. We have seen another state enact laws against traditional marriage under the banner of "freedom" with mantras like "who is it going to hurt"? It hurts everyone! How many sins did it take in the Garden of Eden to cause us all of this trouble still today? Since the passage of this abomination there are those who will now seek to adopt children and twist their minds with sinful practice--and we think this does not hurt society? Gay marriage raises prospect of NY adoption boom - US news - Life - msnbc.com
Some are now advocating the legalization of of other sinful practices as well. Don't you know that, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump...(Galatians 5:9)?" 'Sister Wives' stars challenge Utah bigamy law - FoxNews.com Soon, we will have those who wish to legalize bestiality, necrophilia, and pedophilia! Don't tell me sin does not hurt society and enslave men.
What about the wicked practice of brainwashing young people? Is that not sin? Yet, California is going to require children to learn of this wickedness in public schools despite what the parents say! This is not wicked? It is not sin? It is not enslaving? Where is the freedom granted a Christian parent to raise their child in the fear and admonition of the Lord? California Gov Signs Landmark Law to Teach Gay History - FoxNews.com
No! These are all signs that men with power wish to enslave men to sin and all of its perverseness and consequences. There are those passing laws that do not liberate but snare men with godless passions and ultimately cast them into God's pre-trial confinement facility--Hell! After their case is heard at the judgment seat pictured as a Great White Throne by a Judge from whose face the heavens and the earth flee, they are imprisoned in a lake of fire forever and ever. Their judge will leave no sin unmentioned and no motive unreviewed. Each will quiver and quake as they see the outstretched hands of the Judge still bearing the nail prints from where He paid for their release but His payment was mocked, His work was ignored, and His advocacy was refused. What a terrible day for a sinner left undone and without the forgiveness of God that is only offered through the person of Jesus Christ.
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Hi John,
ReplyDeleteWhy are we so surprised at the mess the world is in?
Jesus said that a peaceful world where everyone gets along, is impossible! We are chasing after the wind! It will never happen, no matter how many laws we pass. And these bad laws we have already passed just accelerate the whole process and cause judgement to come even faster.
(Luke 17:1) Then said he unto the disciples, It IS IMPOSSIBLE but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
As far as influencing children away from God is concerned, I would love to have five minutes where I could sit down with them and read them these scriptures in Mark.
The only problem is that the devil has done such a good job of changing hearts and minds, that not many believe Jesus anymore when He warned them about a real Hell.
(Mark 9:42)
42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
What they are not understanding is that Jesus is dead serious about the consequences of sin. He knows that our Father is strong enough and is well able to put people into the Hell, that HE created. He's not weak like us. Jesus knew that and tried to warn us. So did Paul, so did Peter, so did James, so did Jude So did you so did I. If they would only fear God, they would be safe and never have to worry about His wrath.
All you and I can do,is to keep faithfully telling the Truth the way that Jesus expects us too,up until the time when we too will be silenced.
You're a blessing, John
Gerie