PETE'S PERCH
A "BIRD'S EYE" VIEW OF THE WORD
2010 A TURNING POINT? Standing fast in our liberty!
Galatians 5:1 IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. (Amplified)
><> In the book of Galatians, the Apostle Paul was imploring those new believers of Jesus to “Stand fast in their new-found liberty.” Obviously, there were those present who posed an eminent threat to those freedoms. The only thing that made them truly free was the truth of the Gospel. John 8:31-32,36 At that time most of what we now have in the scriptures was unwritten, but was being established mostly by word of mouth, though undoubtedly, some of it had been recorded in some kind of written form. There has always been, and will always be, enemies of both Christian liberty and American liberty.
Our only guarantee for both are the founding documents...the Bible (and it’s proper interpretation); and our founding documents, The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution (and their proper interpretation). If we allow our government to ignore these truths, ultimately we lose our liberties! As always, freedom isn’t free! Many have fought and sacrificed for it!
In the case of Christian liberty, there were those who were trying to get those set free in Christ to revert back to the teachings of the Old Covenant Law. Those laws were fulfilled in and through the life and death of Jesus. Under the New Covenant, they were free from those practices because the Spirit of life in Christ was now dwelling in their hearts by faith. Romans 8:2
Standing fast means to courageously hold our ground without yielding.
We are only in bondage if we are ignorant of the truth, so it is imperative that we know and adhere to (properly interpreted) scriptural truth. Likewise, we forfeit our American liberties when we are ignorant of the truth of our founding documents and are unwilling to insist that our leaders adhere to those original American principles. A little historical reminder...
Declaration of Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness...But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. (We are witnessing this kind of reckless abuse now.)
Preamble to the U.S. Constitution
We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (Our posterity (kids) will have to pay our debts.)
In the coming year our nation faces what I believe will be a turning point in our American history. As Christians, will we insist on Scriptural truth and Godly character from our church leaders? As Americans, will we insist on Constitutional truth and character from our elected leaders? Character counts and morals matter when it comes to faith and government. Because of the lack of these Godly and Patriotic qualities, and our complacency, corruption has run rampant in America and we rest on the precipice of economic collapse. Our government is out of control and flat doesn’t listen to us anymore.
The church in America mirrors the Laodicean Church mentioned in the Book of Revelation - 3:15-19 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
Our president promised us “change,” but the real change we need is repentance by the church and our political leaders. Godly wisdom, our faith and patriotic vigilance is our only hope for America. These rights to freedom come from God alone! We can’t afford to take take them for granted. Pray, vote, stand up for God and America...get hot! “Stand fast in your liberty!” <><
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