Tag: politics

An Op Ed-Charlie Kirk

To use a phrase from our nation’s history, yesterday marked “a shot heard around the world”.

This phrase refers to the military engagement that began the American Revolutionary War.

The day was April 19, 1775.

Today, September 11, 2025, is a personal day of remembering three events.

My mother was born September 11, 1920. She is with the Lord. That is a pleasant memory.

Today, is the tragic memory that took place in our nation on September 11, 2001.

And today, is the memory of the assassination of Charlie Kirk that occurred yesterday on September 10, 2025.

These three memories are the good (mom’s birthday on 9/11/1920); the bad ( the 9/11/2001 terrorist attack on the United States); and the ugly ( the (9/10/2025 killing of Charlie Kirk).

My Mother’s passing was expected.

The terrorist attacks on 9/11 were not expected.

{However, their investigation shows they may have been preventable. The pros and cons of that investigation are not for this post}

The assignation of Charlie Kirk was evil.

Was it expected or unexpected?

{That is already being analyzed.}

In short, yesterday, 9/10/2025, Charlie Kirk was killed.

The words ‘murdered’, ‘assassinated’, the target of a ‘political hate crime’, a ‘terrorist’ act are all being used by those reporting on his death.

These words express the truth when Charlie Kirk was ‘shot down’ in broad daylight; at a political free speech event; on a college campus, a typical venue that he used to converse with an audience about political and cultural issues that college students face in their daily lives.

It was on a college campus where Charlie Kirk was individually singled out and slain.

In 2001, a nation was taken by surprise by the horrific terrorist acts, came together in an expression of ‘unity’and moved forward as best as possible.

Since 2001, the pros and cons of the political maneuvering during the past 24 years has deteriorated into what I identify as, ‘a chasm of deep political divide’.

It should be noted that ‘finger pointing blame’ has been done on each side of the political isle.

Inserting the names of the Presidents for the past administrations does not improve or remedy the political divide; it only exasperates the division.

Unfortunately, what does stand out glaringly, regarding the killing of Charlie Kirk, is that he purposed to reach the youth of this nation with a conservative message, that expressed a wholesome approach, verbally articulating, refuting, and answering anyone’s questions without yelling, shouting, being irrational, or violent.

Charlie Kirk was not naive.

Charlie Kirk was courageous.

Charlie Kirk used truth to expose false thought, irrational logic, and foolish arguments.

Charlie Kirk was a formidable intellectual ‘opposition’ to those espousing the left ideology.

I conclude that he was a threat to many that did not adhere to his conservative political ideology and they were intimidated by the growing impact he was having on the youth of this nation.

Therefore, is it possible, even probable, that the motivation for his murder was to silence him?

I know that such a question can be inflammatory in people’s thinking; but is it the reality to where we have fallen in this nation because we are so politically divided?

It will be interesting to wait, observe, and listen to how the events surrounding his life, his mission for Turning Point, and an analysis of the words he has spoken and advocated are used to characterize him as he spoke and related to the nation.

Is it possible that Charlie Kirk’s death could be used to awaken and heal the political division in our nation? in our families? and in our one-to-one relationships?

I believe it can.

Selah.

How do we as believers in Jesus Christ move forward?

I have been reminded of this: being ‘commissioned by Christ is costly’.

Do you believe that?

That is at the heart of the Gospel message.

I would like to share with you some personal thoughts regarding Charlie Kirk’s murder.

I found myself, asking the Lord, if what happened to Charlie was similar to what happened to Stephen in Acts 6,7?

Please do not over react to what I am saying.

Consider this: In Acts chapter 6, Stephen was one of seven men chosen with the following qualifications as outlined by the Apostles.

Acts 6:3 NKJV, “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.” (emphasis mine)

Stephen was one of the seven chosen.

I submit that the Lord chose Charlie because he was a man with a ‘good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom’, that He could appoint over this business of reaching the youth of this nation that the Church was failing to do. (emphasis mine)

Acts 6:8, 10 NKJV, “And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people…And they (those who opposed him) were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.” (emphasis mine) (insert mine)

I am not advocating that he performed ‘signs and wonders’ as described in the ministry of Jesus or in the book of Acts.

Stephen was articulate about speaking the truth. He was full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Those who heard him recognized it and were troubled because it did not align with their belief.

Acts 6:11-14, tells us that those who disagreed with him sought out others to be false witnesses, and they also stirred up the people against him.

What I am reflecting upon is that his words greatly disturbed others to be against him.

In Acts 7, Stephen articulated the history of Israel from Abraham to Joseph to Moses to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and then confronted his audience with their rebellion against God in the wilderness.

Stephen did stop there; he tells them how they treated their prophets; and then transfers that conduct to how they treated the “….Just One, whom you now have become betrayers and murders, who have received the law by the direct of angels and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:51-53, NKJV context)

Acts 7:54, 57,58, NKJV Luke records, “When they heard these things they were cut to the heart (see Acts 2:37) and they gnashed at him with their teeth…Then they cried out with a loud voice , stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.”

Stephen was called, chosen, and commissioned by Christ.

That is costly.

It cost Stephen his life.

My thoughts regarding Charlie Kirk are these.

Charlie Kirk was called, chosen, and commissioned by Christ to reach the youth of this nation; and I assume, to influence the youth throughout the nations of this world.

Charlie Kirk was a good man, well respected, full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom.

He knew his subject matter. He was articulate. He spoke with clarity, conviction and truth.

His message ‘cut to the heart’ of those who heard him speak.

He did not speak maliciously or vindictively.

He challenged those who would listen; he wanted them to ask questions; he wanted to dialogue with people; to hear them and for them to hear his responses; and to contemplate the validity of his words compared to the words of those who opposed him.

What is wrong with that?

Q: How many individuals throughout history have had their lives taken because what they say does not align with what others wanted to be the truth?

The history of mankind is full of such stories.

The thinking of this world, and its wisdom, will not bring together those who are at the opposite ends of the political spectrum.

I don’t believe that Charlie focused on polarization; he focused on what is the truth.

There is an antichrist spirit in our world.

We, the Body of Christ are wrestling against that spirit.

This is not an irrational statement. (See I John 4:1-6)

The spirit of antichrist is vocal, violent, shameless, and proud; it is brazen, audacious, flagrant, and unprincipled.

Over the past decade, this nation has witnessed, experienced, and tolerated ‘unprecedented unrest’ that has become more openly unprincipled.

The unprincipled spirit is lawlessness; and it is the spirit of antichrist.

An ‘unprincipled’ lawlessness is capable of murder.

See Matthew 24.

It happened yesterday (September 10, 2025)

We as a nation are becoming blatantly lawless; and many are not ashamed of it in many areas of their daily lives.

I am not saying this is true of all the people who live in this nation.

See 2 Timothy 3:1-17.

What I am saying is that this malignancy is growing and becoming a deadly cancer.

On September 11, 1920 my mother was born into this world. Her death was an expected pleasant event. She loved the Lord, and is now with Him in His presence.

On September 11, 2021, an unexpected event happened in this nation.

Many were shocked.

How so?

This is America.

This can’t happen here.

It did.

On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk’s life was taken by an assassin.

Why?

That will be revealed over time.

Was it an unexpected or expected event?

I believe, Charlie Kirk’s life was taken for the same reason that Stephen’s was.

There were those who heard him speak and did not like what he said, and there were those who wanted to silence him.

Yesterday, September 10,2025 an individual silenced Charlie Kirk.

I am not sure where to put the following thoughts on this nation’s historical time line; therefore, I will present to you three pictures regarding what has taken place.

For me personally, as well as, for many others, Charlie Kirk’s death was not unexpected.

Why?

1. Our nation has been like a pot of water sitting over a flame that has been warming it up ; that has now reached its boiling point.

2. Our nation is like a pressure cooker, with its lid closed; when it reaches its boiling point, it lets out its steam.

3. Our nation is like a volcano, whose molten rock has been rising because of gas pressure; it exploded and erupted violently killing Charlie Kirk.

I have listened to many who have warned us that something like what happened yesterday would take place in our nation because of the great political division in our nation.

The source of this political division is because of the virulent rhetoric that has been spewing forth from both political parties.

Please understand that understanding was being voiced prior to the assassination attempts on President Trump.

What many thought could happen, has happened , in the United States of America.

And we know, only too well, that it has happened previously in our own nation; both attempted assassinations and fatal assassinations.

On September 10, 2025, the United States of America experienced what many other people throughout the world are exposed to everyday of their lives.

People speak up for what is true.

They are told to be silent.

They choose not to be silent.

Some end up in jail for a short time.

Some end up in prison for a long time.

Some are tortured.

Some are killed.

Some go missing and are never seen or heard of again.

I contend that Charlie Kirk’s death could be an article in the Voice of Martyr’s magazine; and that his picture could be on their cover.

What happened yesterday, September 10, 2025, is an ‘up close and personal’ example of what Jesus told His followers could happen following Him.

We, as a nation, witnessed that reality yesterday, September 10, 2025.

What many have wondered about regarding our safety in America based upon our personal beliefs has been graphically etched upon our minds, and seared into our hearts and souls, because Charlie Kirk was murdered.

Remember, commissioned by Christ is costly.

It could cost you your life.

That is Gospel truth.

Revelation 12:11 NKJV, “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24 )

Charlie Kirk followed Christ.

Yesterday, September 10,2025 was a sobering moment for the Body of Christ,

Standing in the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ,

a brother in Christ, Deo

Battling For the Life of our Nation

I Corinthians 15:45-47 TLV:

“If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam (Jesus, Son of God/Son of Man) became a life-giving spirit. However, the Spirit is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is of the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven…”

‘First the natural, then then the spiritual’, a principle that we must understand that is foundational to understand the Word of God, the message of the Gospel, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our life after we become a believer in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

I want to use this principle to put before you a question regarding this nation’s national election on November 5 (Today is October 30, 2024).

When the electorate in the nation cast their vote, whether by mail, early voting, or on election day, each individual vote represents the heart and mindset of that voter. The outcome of the entirety of all the votes cast will show the heart of the electorate in this nation.

The results may be extremely close or even lopsided.

Who knows?

But an outcome will take place.

Not only will the selection of a new president show the heart of the electorate, but, also, the results for each individual choice, at the state level , will reveal the heart of the electorate, too.

I am concerned.

Why?

Let me ask you, each individual voter, this question?

Will we ‘abort’ this nation’s life, or will we ‘sustain’ this nation’s life?

I believe this will be clearly seen when the votes are tallied, the dust settles, and a direction for this nation has been determined by its electorate.

I encourage you to vote.

I encourage you to vote with a Biblical world-view; not a worldly mind-set that trust in the wisdom of man and ignores the wisdom of God.

blessings to my fellow believers in Christ, deo

Five Weeks And Counting…

It is now less than Five Weeks And Counting-November 5 will be here soon!

At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, as the ‘unprecedented unrest’ is mounting…as the light of political truth reveals the secrets that have been hiding in darkness…as the volume of accusatory rhetoric increases…as the level of irrational wrangling escalates…we as a nation, a Constitutional republic will be going to the polls on or by November 5, 2024. Today is October 17,2024 and Five Weeks And Counting started, October 1, 2024.

As a believer in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, what is my responsibility as a citizen of the United States? I have dual citizenship. I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God, and Christ is my Lord; and I am a citizen of the United States and Joe Biden is my President.

I am told, and have understood, that many believers are in a valley of decision regarding the upcoming election. They are torn, not wanting to vote in this election. It is documented that many believers in the past elections have not voted because they were dissatisfied with the choice that was put before them in our national election for President.

I understand that struggle.

I, too, wrestled with the choice before me. But I was able to come to a ‘somewhat’ peaceful conclusion in the past elections and vote.

How? I had to identify what is most important to me as a citizen of the United States of America.

I want to encourage you, as a Christian, to vote.

It is important. Really important!

If you are in a valley of indecision, I want to encourage you not turn a blind eye away from the election process; but that you “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full into His wonderful face, And the things earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.” (Words by Helen H. Lemmel, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus)

Your initial response to this might be: are you telling me then to ‘turn a blind eye’; no, in fact, I am trusting the Holy Spirit, that as you turn your eyes upon Jesus, you will look at your nation and see the upcoming election through the eyes of your Savior and Lord.

I contend that as you turn to Jesus, you will receive His focus upon the events shaping our nation, and give you understanding as you walk through your ‘valley of indecision’.

I believe the outcome will be that you will not ‘shrink’ from your responsibility to vote as a citizen of the United States because you will see that to vote is being a responsible citizen of the Kingdom of God.

What is our responsibility in the hour in which we are living?

As the title to this post declares, Five Weeks And Counting will be our national elections both at the federal and state levels.

As a citizen of the United States of America, voting has evolved throughout the history of our nation. Originally the states were given the determination who was approved to vote. This led obviously to quite a bit of variation among the states. We as a nation are still wrestling with the question of who can legally vote. Unfortunately, this wrangling has caused numerous issues in our recent elections.

Is it important for you to vote?

Absolutely.

Your vote, expresses your support for the nation. The process of voting is to keep our Republic strong by electing officials who are best suited to keep our nation moving forward based upon the strengths of our founding documents.

V.O.T.E : Voting Offers a True Expression of what you personally believe.

Unfortunately, over the course of our national history, there have arisen factions that want to change our founding foundation. Since the 1900s the thought of change has grown in intensity; and in the past 60 years, the proponents of change have become more demonstrative, both verbally and behaviorally.

From my perspective the fruit of those seeds of influence are now being expressed as ‘unprecedented unrest’ in our nation.

Some will automatically call me conspiratorial. That is not my heart.

The fact is that such a label of advocating ‘conspiracy theories’ is one of the issues that is at the heart of our current election rhetoric. People who disagree with the truth, or who want to ignore the thinking of those who raise credible contradictions dismiss their opposition’s claims with ‘name calling’.

Such is a current bedrock in our nation’s political rhetoric.

The SOUL, the LIFEBLOOD, the FUTURE, and the STABILITY of our nation, may indeed, be changed based upon the outcome of the November 5, 2024 election.

If you listen carefully to both political sides, that is exactly, what they are advocating.

Both sides are claiming to be saving our nation, our democracy, our very existence as we know it.

In fact, it is no secret, but both sides are praying to God for victory and their opposition’s defeat.

To me that is parallel to two competing athletic teams that have Christian players on both teams praying and asking God for victory.

What does one conclude when the winner and the loser become a reality, the contest is over, and victor is known?

How do you ‘feel’ when your favorite athletic team loses?

Are you ‘bummed out’?

*A personal testimony*

If you are a believer in Christ, confused, turned off to politics, bogged down in a valley of indecision, who has made the decision not to vote, I want you to know that I am not out to manipulate, pressure, or coerce you; however, I am asking you to seriously reconsider your decision.

Why?

We are not wrestling against flesh and blood (people/and their personalities); but we are wrestling against principalities, powers, and rulers of spiritual darkness. (Ephesians 6:12) (insert mine)

Consider this, your non-vote is a vote supporting those in our nation that want to dismantle our founding principles that will cause our Constitutional Republic to become weak and/or completely destroyed.

Yes, I am aware that those are strong words; but think seriously about the ramifications of our nation being changed negatively from within!

What is the S.O.U.L. of our nation? It is Saving Our Unalienable Liberties (or Lifestyle). It is about our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I suggest that if you clearly understand this; you will vote.

A couple of weeks ago, I came a point, where I realized that I did not need to hear any more words; I did not need to read any more headlines and their subsequent content. I have been purposely avoiding the news shows and the cable pundits because their analysis and rhetoric is verbal venom poisoning the minds of the voting electorate. I was certain I was not going to hear anything new. (As I update this post-I confess that there have been articles that have caught my attention. The latest is one about the number of Christian that are projected not to vote. It could be as high as 42 million. I believe that is wrong.)

[I am convinced that the Lord is uncovering the deeds and words of darkness bringing to light the lies and deceptions that have been perpetrated by both sides of the political isle. (If you would like to read more about this, go to livingwordsofencouragement.com and see the post, The A.R.R.O.W. of God.)]

I came to the point where I understood that my mind was mentally settled and that I could rest in my decision to vote.

Let me tell you why I needed to vote.

It is my responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America.

I need to live at peace with the Lord.

I need to live at peace with myself.

I need to have a clear conscience.

I need to be able to pray for the next President, just as I now pray for President Biden. The Word of God tells us to pray for those in authority over us “so that people can live peaceful and quiet lives.” (I Timothy 2:1-2)

I desire to be in that group of ‘people’. The scripture does not say that I have to agree with their decisions. Most of President Biden’s decisions I do not personally agree with; but that is not an excuse for me to avoid praying for him, and others in authority over me with a clear conscience.

Therefore, as I mentioned above, I do not need to be persuaded how to vote listening to the rhetoric of the political parties, and their pundits pontificating every day.

I am at rest in the Lord.

What has brought me to that rest?

That rest has been created by the Word of God.

I have chosen the Biblical worldview to come to my decision.

The Biblical worldview is Absolute Truth.

Both parties platforms are the expressions of man’s wisdom for the hour in which we live and are written explaining what they believe and they want to be accomplished to this nation forward.

They believe their platform will bring about the course correction needed for this nation.

What do you believe is necessary for a course correction for our nation?

If your course correction rests completely upon a candidate and his or her personality and/or characteristics, then I must say to you that you have fallen short of what is best for our nation?

Both platforms are NOT without serious shortfalls from the Absolute of God’s Word; but using the Word of God to evaluate both parties platforms, I have concluded that one of the two parties platforms provides for a resting place for my own personal peace and a clear conscience as a believer in Jesus Christ.

I am NOT saying that the party platform I have chosen perfectly aligns with the Word of God.

I have chosen the platform that I believe is more aligned with the Word of God than the other platform.

As I said previously, my decision brings rest and peace to me personally.

Why is that important?

It allows me to pray for this nation’s next President with a clear conscience, and not riddled by guilt, or regret.

It gives me a spiritual position of being able to quench the ‘fiery darts’ of the enemy that wants to assail me with accusations of fault.

In Christ, I can confidently submit myself before God, resist the devil, and he will flee. (James 4:7)

Therefore, I encourage you to prayerfully consider your personal position as a voter in this nation’s upcoming election.

What are your beliefs?

Do they align with the Word of God?

Are you at peace and rest as you approach the time to cast your vote?

There are major issues on state ballots that need voting upon by a responsible informed electorate.

Jesus said, that the enemy comes only to kill, steal, and destroy; but that He has come that we may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

God has blessed this nation abundantly. Yes, we have misused those blessings; but we, too, have been able to bless many other nations and individuals.

Let us make sure we do not lose our founding principles because we choose not to vote or vote ignorantly listening only to the wisdom of man and not be guided by the wisdom of God’s Word.

It’s time to pray, be informed by Godly Absolutes, and vote intelligently and conscientiously.

Blessings, a brother in Christ, deo

Note: I want to give credit to my brother, David, who sent me a text that had the words, five weeks and counting, that I used for the title for this post.

‘GOVERNMENTAL’ CONTROL (PART 6), POLITICAL, PERSONAL, PHARISICAL

In the previous blog, we concluded with Samuel encouraging and admonishing the nation of Israel to ‘press into’ God, seek Him, and be restored to their proper relationship with Him. God had not left His people; they had forsaken Him. The human fallen nature within mankind believes that it can exercise its own ‘governmental’ control over himself/herself; and subsequently believes that it can govern the affairs of the nation in which they live. In the beginning, God indeed wanted His creation of mankind to govern and rule over His Creation; however, Satan stepped in and presented to mankind ‘a lie’ regarding God’s intent. Adam and Eve believed the lie, and their disobedience to God’s Word resulted in their alienation from Him. But God…Who knew before the foundation of the world what would be the series of events regarding His creation of mankind, their subsequent Fall, their alienation from Him, and their need for reconciliation and restoration, “so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life.” That is the Gospel.

The Gospel must be the foundation of our lives in the year 2021. I would make that same statement no matter what year it was in which we were living. In essence, fill in the blank, the year is _____.

I want to quote the end of the last blog: “Mankind is still exercising its ‘governmental’ control over the affairs of the nations of this world. And where is it all headed? It is headed to the fulfilled prophetic Word of God that is outlined in Scripture. Scholars are scrambling analyzing the interpretation and meaning of what is in God’s Word trying to bring about an understanding of where we are in God’s timetable in the age in which we are living.

I am of the mindset to let that thought go, and ask the Lord, what is the Spirit saying to the Church? What are the ‘marching orders’ for the Church in 2021? The Imperials sang back in the 60’s “I listen to the trumpet of Jesus, while the world sings a different song”… . Am I being ‘naive’ ? Am I ‘burying’ my head in the sand? Am I ‘avoiding’ the handwriting on the wall? I do not believe so based upon a book that I am currently reading; and two other books that I may or may not read, depending upon…. If I told you the names of the books that I am referencing, many would label me as a right wing extremist. Maybe some already think of me that way. That’s ok. The point is, I do seek to be informed; and I seek to be informed by those whom I believe seek to share the truth. Knowing the truth with regards to political issues and thoughts can be a difficult search. But God….

I would like to direct your attention to Matthew 24. The followers of Jesus were inquisitive regarding future events. Jesus had made a statement; it piqued their interest; and they asked Him to explain what He meant. For me personally, I am awestruck by His initial comment found in Matthew 24:4 (TLV), “Yeshua answered them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray.” The NKJV says “that no one deceives you”. What is the glaring issue that we as a nation, and I, as a individual, and the Church faces today? the issue of ‘deception’. All you have to do is recall what this nation has been subjected too verbally the past 5 years.

If you would like to pursue what I am saying about our nation and being deceived, please refer to my previous blogs where I discuss our nation being a P.O.W. ( Prisoner Of Words.)

Jesus continues to explain to His followers what to expect . In Matthew 24:12-14 TLV, Jesus states, what I believe the Church needs to hear, embrace, and do. “Because lawlessness will multiply, the love (this is the word, agape, in the Greek) will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. This Good News of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (insert mine)

I will let you seek out commentaries regarding the theology of this statement. I would like to point out that the word, agape, is the Greek word used to describe God’s love. I John 4:16, “God is love”. John 3:16, “For God so loved…”. Agape is the essence of God’s nature. Jesus says to His followers that in the last days that ‘agape’ will grow cold because of lawlessness. When Jesus spoke to the seven churches in Revelation, what did He point out to the Church in Ephesus?

Revelation 2:4,5 TLV, “But this I have against you, that you have forsaken your first love. Remember then from where you have fallen. Repent and do the deeds you did at first. It not, I will come to you and remove your menorah from its place–unless you repent.”

Thinking back to I Samuel, what has Israel done? They forsook God. They did not want Him to be in ‘governmental’ control. Question: Has the Church today, forsaken their “first love”? Is is possible that the lawlessness that Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24 is a two-edged sword? I have always assumed that the lawlessness that Jesus was referring too was solely the lawlessness in our society as a nation. We have seen a dramatic increase in that lawlessness in the past 5 years. However, is it possible that the another side to this remark about lawlessness? Is there a lawlessness in the Church that is resulting in its ‘agape’ to grow cold? Is the Church under the ‘governmental’ control of the Lord or is it following its own a genda? If the Church is pursuing its own agenda then it is being lawless, and the ability to express the ‘agape’ of God is hampered because of its ‘self’ love.

It is one thing as a people to be struggling with the ‘governmental’ control emanating from our nation’s Capitol or our state Capitols; it is a completely different thing to think that the Church is lawless in its behavior, and that the followers of Christ are or might be a ‘law’ unto themselves.

The Apostle John writing to the Church near the conclusion of his life says in I John 3;4 TLV, “Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness–indeed, sin is lawlessness.” Recalling the last verse in Judges 21, verse 25 says, “And there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” (TLV)

Christine and I have been watching the television production called The Chosen. We understand that it is a television series; and that it is written from the perspective of those following Jesus. We have been comfortable with the story line, the personal struggles of the mainline characters, their interaction between themselves, and their struggle to fit in with Jesus.

After the conclusion of season 2, Christine and I were listening to Mark Lavin’s assessment of what was happening in our national government. His personal belief is that our government is moving toward a complete totalitarian system of ‘governmental’ control. (using my term). I realize that what I have just written is a fire storm. I ask that you hold back your personal feelings and consider this observation.

The history of the nation of Israel is replete with the struggles of ‘who is in charge?’ Our nation for the past two and a half centuries has been about ‘who is in charge?’ Is it safe to say, that all the nations of the world have struggled with the issue of ‘who is in charge?’ Why? because humanity has been in the struggle of ‘who is in charge?’ in its own personal life. Sin is lawlessness.

As a nation, historically, we have had peaceful transitions, changing from one elected president to the next; however, this past election, we witnessed what many have said was a ‘volatile’ transition. Why? because not everyone agreed that the election was judicious. Again, I am aware that this statement can ignite a fire storm. My point is that the nation is struggling with ‘real’ lawlessness and what many believe to be ‘imagined’ lawlessness. The result of this is chaos and a divided nation. I will let the reader ponder those words and their issues.

At the conclusion of season 2 of The Chosen, I found myself contemplating something I saw portrayed in the episodes; something that I have heard preached and taught from the scriptures; but something that I had not put all together in one context. Let me explain.

Throughout the series, the ‘governmental’ control, POILITICS, of Rome is evident and complements the story line as needed. The effect of that ‘governmental’ control and its intrusion in the character’s lives is both heard in their dialogue, and seen in their responses to it. It provides tension and drama. However, Jesus is not bothered by the POLITICS of Rome’s ‘governmental’ control like His followers are bothered. Why? His ‘governmental’ control is from above. He only did what His Father directed Him to do. He taught to “render unto Caesar what was Caesar’s and unto God what was God’s”. I suggest that is how the Church is supposed to respond in this world. We recognize the ‘governmental’ control of our nation’s leaders. However, we are to respond properly and lawfully to their requests as taught in the Word of God. I also understand that this comment can cause a fire storm. The leadership in the Church is struggling with at what point do ‘we draw a line’ regarding ‘governmental’ control? Jesus did not involve Himself in the POLITICS of this world; but He did not act ‘lawlessly’ against it. Remember, sin is lawlessness. (emphasis mine)

A second area of ‘governmental’ control that weaves itself throughout the narrative is the desire of Jesus’s followers to establish a working ‘control’ of Jesus’ agenda. In their opinion, Jesus offers no ‘governmental’ control at all. This especially bothers James, John, Perter, and Andrew. They look to take PERSONAL control making suggestions and constantly seeking Jesus’ approval. They are ones who are front and center trying to ‘organize’ the system. They, characterize the need for mankind to take control. They personify the need to put things in order. They need to organize. Is it wrong to have a semblance of order? No, but what is apparent is that man’s approach to order is not the Lord’s approach to order. Jesus has His life in order. The problem is that His followers are having a hard time following His pattern of order, resting in His timing, and being satisfied with His way of doing things. What the followers of Jesus is experiencing is what we struggle with; we want to do it our way. (PERSONAL)”Self’ wants to be in ‘governmental’ control. As a believer, our greatest detriment to walking with the Lord is ‘self’. What does it mean to ‘take up our cross daily’ and follow Him? What does it mean to be ‘yoked’ to the Lord? It means to die to self. And so, I see the followers of Jesus, struggling to set aside their way of doing things and acquiescing to His way of living, following His Heavenly Father’s timing, and doing what the Father wants Him to do in His timing. Discipleship is all about learning the ‘governmental’ control of the Lord directed by the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God that brings glory to the Father. (emphasis mine)

And finally, there is the ‘governmental’ control of the, PHARISICAL religious leaders. The religious leaders ‘have’ their control of the Jewish nation and they are threatened by Jesus’ way of doing things that are not in keeping with their longstanding ‘control’. This opposition is very apparent throughout the episodes. It is the religious establishment that want to entrap Jesus, accuse Jesus, and silence Him. They see Him as a threat to their ‘governmental’ order. We know that it was this conflict between the ‘governmental’ control of the religious leaders and the ‘governmental’ control Jesus lived following the directions of His Father, led by the Holy Spirit, that ignited the fire storm that propelled Him to the Cross.

Jesus tolerated the Roman (POLITICAL) government’s control. Jesus was patient with His followers persistence for establishing their (PERSONAL) control in helping Him by teaching them to wait for His direction. Jesus was righteously upset with the (PHARISICAL) religious rulers control and how they governed and treated His Father’s sheep.

What are the issues for the Church, the Body of Christ, the Israel of God, in 2021? Let me suggest a few. This is not an exhaustive list.

  1. We are facing our own ‘Rome’ exercising its ‘governmental’ control over our individual lives, our fundamental Constitutional rights, and wanting to impose upon us a way of running our Constitutional Republic that many in this nation do not agree with. We are experiencing a growing POLITICAL ‘governmental’ control that wants to control our personal lives.
  2. Many of our Church leaders, and denominations are struggling with the influence of ‘Rome’ not only in their own lives, but they are struggling with how do we respond as the Church? What does the Scripture say? Where do we draw the line? At what point do we exercise ‘disobedience’ to those in authority over us, realizing what the Word of God tells us in Romans 13. T
  3. The biggest struggle is not from without, but from within us as a follower of Jesus. The Apostle Paul cried out in Romans 7:24, TLV, “Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” Paul answers his own question in verse 25, “Thanks be to God–it is through Messiah Yeshua our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself keep the Torah of God; but with my flesh, I serve the law of sin.” Paul understood the struggle was within and that his rest was in the His Lord, the Word of God, and not the ‘self’ control of his life.
  4. Question: As a believer in Jesus Christ, have you submitted your life to His ‘governmental’ control? What do I mean by this? Israel came out of Egypt and crossed through the Red Sea. They came out of Egypt under the blood of a Lamb, and through the water. Sound familiar. Picture coming to the alter of sacrifice and then the brazen laver in the outer court of the Tabernacle. Picture receiving Christ as your Savior and Lord, and then professing Christ, being water baptized. Now what? The Israelites were taken to Mt. Sinai to receive the Law of God, the 10 Commandments. Picture entering into the Holy Place in the Tabernacle. There you receive the Word of God, Shewbread; there you are present in an area lit by the Golden Lampstand, the Holy Spirit; and you are participating there, where is worship, praise, and prayer at the alter of incense. You are ‘in’ a believers meeting. Where two or three are gathered in His name, Jesus is there in your midst. At Mt. Sinai, Israel was to receive the Word of God, and to learn how to live and function under the ‘governmental’ control of God. God had removed them from the ‘governmental’ control of Egypt; now they were to live by His rule and reign governing their lives. This is the same thing that we are to learn as believers in Christ. This is what Saul of Tarsus came face to face with on the road to Damascus, the rule and reign of Jesus Christ. This is what Israel wanted to side-step in days of Samuel. Israel wanted their own (PERSOANL) way of doing things. They wanted a (POLITICAL) king like the nations that surrounded them. They forsook the (PERSONAL) reign of GOD for their own (PERSOANL) choice of reign over them. Has the Church left its first love, the PERSONAL REIGH OF CHRIST? Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments. We cannot keep His commandments if we serve “self’, exercising our own ‘governmental’ control over our life.

It is time to intersect, the blog series that I was sharing prior to Easter, and this blog series. What is the intersection of these two blogs? Or to rephrase it, what is the intersection of Pentecost and ‘governmental’ control?

a journeyer in Christ, deo