Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. This phrase, spoken at those who intend to demean or humiliate another, are meant to say that the person verbally assaulted is secure enough to see themselves as they are, rather than as the hurtful words spoken against them. In this new enlightened age words are judged to be just as violent as the actions taken that cause actual physical harm. Say what you will. Those that feel the need to belittle someone else in order to make themselves feel superior does not bother the vast majority of their targets in the least. Unfortunately, those few that are actually offended and especially those that take umbrage for other “protected” classes, drive society’s attitudes. The word police are out in force as more as more words are added to the list of “hate speech” as society creates more and more protected classes. With all the “haters” that are branded by our evermore intolerant culture, it is a wonder that humanity can coexist at all. But, it is even more telling as to who, and why someone can become labeled as a “hater”.
As our society accepts an ever expanding list of what was previously unacceptable and aberrant conduct, it casts its’ aspersions in an unrelenting wave of skepticism against those they view as naïve and gullible enough to profess faith in the Risen Christ. Much of our society looks at traditional Christians as judgmental, homophobic, exclusionary, hypocritical and hateful by those who are more enlightened than I, then stand in judgment of those who dare to hold an opinion contrary to their own. While, we as Christians, stand convicted, we have a Savior who took our sins upon His shoulders, endured our punishment upon that cross, and now sits upon the throne, advocating for us to our Father. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
And persecution of those who hold traditional understandings of how God created us, male and female, that a man and woman, pledged to one another by the sacrament of marriage, are to procreate and raise their families as God intended, continues to persist, propped up by the media, liberal activists, left leaning politicians and even God’s own church. Many are persecuted simply by standing for the rule of law and showing support for our President. Driven by a deranged media foisting their chosen narrative on the masses along with left wing politicians, incite violence by encouraging “resistance” to a duly elected President. Anti-fa, the occupy movement and black lives matter ratchet up their rhetoric and engage in violent attacks on those who would disagree with them. Well over half of our population that is between the ages of 18-29, have a favorable impression of socialism and detest this country and the freedoms it provides. Socialism as defined in the Merriam Webster dictionary,
• “Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.”
• “A system of society or group living in which there is no private property.”
• “A system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state.”
• “A stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done.”
Perhaps most troubling is the evident lack of understanding by our future leaders the unalienable rights endowed upon us by our creator. Socialism has a history of destroying nations. The Soviet Union, Venezuela, Cuba and Somalia, just to name a few, failed and took to the grave with them, millions of their citizens by malnutrition and the slaughter of their political enemies. Think about that for a minute, these lovers of the self, are intrigued by a system of government meant to oppress them and take away their personal property. These are the people that will eventually pick up the mantle of leadership when we are gone. Not a pleasant thought? The Anti-fa protests in Washington D. C. and U C Berkeley, complete with the unhinged rantings and violence perpetrated by these anarchists, is troubling to say the least. Liberal professors teaching in our institutions of higher learning are adversely affecting our next generation. As with the preacher in the pulpit, teachers are expected to lead our children and future leaders with the truth, taught in an unbiased manner, in order that they can become successful and productive citizens. There is a liberal bent in much of the curriculum in our schools, from Kindergarten to graduate school. Yes, there still are some traditional universities and schools in our land, but they are becoming fewer and further between.
So, in this day and age where truth is confused and the selfish cravings of a sinful humanity overtake our society, how does a Christian maintain sanity in this upside down world? Do we simply turn the other cheek and let those who would do us harm and destroy our great nation, slap us down, again and again? The secular world looks down upon Christians as backward dim-witted rubes, easily duped by a religion they believe is simply meant to control them, while their own religion, one that is all about pleasing oneself and accepting any and all manner of depravity, is acclaimed as ideal. By invoking doctrine meant to affirm the selfish nature of humanity, it would appear that some of the leaders of God’s church want their members to embrace these same ideals that are becoming more pervasive in our secular society.
But, this all has been played out before. The ending to this story has already been written. Evil does not win. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ is victorious over the forces of the evil one and will ultimately usher in a new beginning for all believers. We needn’t be concerned with the small victories that the evil one wins here on earth because he will not win the war. Proclaim the power of the Gospel throughout the world. Let the love of Christ pour out of your heart. Let everyone see Him in your actions. Let everyone hear Him when you speak. Pray long and hard for our brothers and sisters in Christ to be delivered from the clutches of misguided churches. Matthew 16, 24-29, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” Stand strong for the Lord and when He comes, you will receive the ultimate reward, eternal life with Him.
