I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. They will ban you from the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God. They will do these things because they haven’t known the Father or Me. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes you may remember I told them to you. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.

John 14:1-4, Jesus speaking to His disciples

When I first became a follower of Jesus Christ, I came across this passage and was, admittedly, confused as to what Jesus was conveying to His disciples. However, as I began to study the Bible more seriously, and as I tried to understand this statement in the historical context in which it was spoken, it became quite clear as to the sobering message Jesus was giving.

The early church was made up, mostly, of Jews who accepted the reality of Jesus being the long awaited Messiah. Early in church history, those who converted to Christianity from the Jewish faith found themselves in a very precarious dilemma. Within a very short period of time, these early followers of Jesus were excommunicated from the synagogue, severely persecuted, and many were even executed for their commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Thus, these words of Jesus proved to be true in the life of the early church.

But, is that the only thing Jesus was speaking of, or was there more. More, even for us today. We have all been shocked once again by the radical, militant actions of adherents to Islam. CBS news headline on Tuesday, April 23, was as follows:

ISIS claims responsibility for Sri Lanka Easter Sunday bombings

CBS Online News

This probably does not come as a huge shock to anyone, but let’s think of it in terms of the statement of Jesus quoted above. Could it be that the statement had more than just an immediate historical fulfillment? Could Jesus’ words have application to other historical periods of persecution of the church? Could it be that Jesus was not only predicting a time of persecution against His first followers, but multiple times scattered throughout the history of the church?

Why is it that these attacks were specifically aimed at Christians? Simple: Radical Islam is consumed with the desire to eradicate all Christians from the face of the earth, and they are doing it in the name of Allah, “God.” As Jesus said, “In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service to God.” Could this contemporary persecution of Christians be a fulfillment of those sobering words?

That question brings me to the point of this blog. The answer to that question is found in the words of Jesus: “I have told you these to keep you from stumbling.” Jesus wants His followers to be aware of the fact that they will face persecution, and even execution, at the hands of those who reject Him and embrace a religion that is radically opposed to Him and His teachings. In the face of such severe, harsh treatment, Christians should continue to live lives of total commitment to Jesus Christ.

In the book of Revelation, John points to another time of extreme persecution against believers. Once again quoting Jesus, John records:

Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Look, the Devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will have affliction for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 2:10 – The words of Jesus Christ to the church in Smyrna

Obviously the situation is vastly different, and the historical setting is far removed from that of these original statements of Jesus. However, the quote from Revelation states the same truth as that found in John 16:1-4, and it is here that Jesus is speaking about a future time of persecution against the church. And please note that in His words from Revelation, He encourages His followers to be “faithful until death.” How are we to understand this admonition? Is Jesus saying that we should be faithful until we die at a ripe old age? Or, is He saying that we should be faithful until our faith costs us our very life? I believe the statement encompasses both. Be faithful, even if we lose our life to those who oppose Jesus, His teachings, and His disciples.

Jesus has given us forewarning concerning those who hate Him, and thus, hate His followers. He has given us these warnings so that episodes of persecution will not catch us off-guard. I challenge each of us to examine our own hearts, and our own personal level of commitment to the teachings of our Lord and Master, and to be faithful to death.

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.

Luke 23:44-46

Sunday’s coming!

Catchy little phrase, isn’t it? We have all heard it countless times. The phrase will certainly mean different things to different people. What does it mean to you?

For some, it would no doubt result in excitement as they think about the activities of a coming weekend: perhaps a gathering of friends, or a weekend get-away, or a long-anticipated period of uninterrupted rest. For others the same phrase might cause feelings of sadness as they contemplate the end of another weekend and the thought of returning to the drudgery of the job on Monday.

But for the Christian, this phrase carries a totally different meaning. In one sense, it simply means that we are looking forward to a day of rest as prescribed by God’s word. It was God Himself who prescribed this day of rest, and He certainly knew what He was doing when He made this a permanent guideline for humanity. We all need a day of rest. The human body simply cannot continue to go on, day after day, week after week, year after year, without a time of rest. We desperately need to rest.

However, for the Christian the meaning of this phrase goes deeper. It also carries the meaning of a day of worship. We are to set aside this day as a day to gather with other believers for times of spiritual enrichment, mutual encouragement, and Biblical instruction and admonition. It is a time of sharing with one another, and caring for one another.

And yet, on this particular week of the year – this week referred to as Passion Week – we find the deepest meaning of all to the phrase, “Sunday’s Coming.” The events of this week give us full understanding of the phrase. Jesus had entered the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. He was greeted with shouts of joy and gladness, and hailed as the Son of David, a messianic term which referred to the promised Messiah, the chosen of God, the One who would bring salvation to the people of Israel, and the entire world.

That final week was filled with drama and intrigue. The religious leaders, even those who adamantly opposed one another in all matters of religion, seemed to coalesce into a well-greased religious coalition which was bent on nothing less than the destruction of Jesus. They bombarded Him day after day with endless questions, trying to find some fault in Him. When they finally realized that it was a futile endeavor, they decided to make false accusations against Jesus which they hoped would result in His death.

They finally made it happen (even though they really had nothing to do with it at all, other than being pawns in the hands of a sovereign God, carrying out His pre-ordained plan He had made from eternity past). Jesus was given the death sentence, which would be carried out in the most vicious type of death ever devised by man: crucifixion.

The disciples were in a state of shock. We can’t even begin to imagine the horror they experienced as they saw these events unfold before them. Jesus is brutally beaten, then made to carry His own cross to the place of death. He is nailed to that cross, lifted between heaven and earth, and after several grueling hours of horrific anguish, He dies.

Jesus, dead. His body hanging lifeless on that cross. The Son of God, the Savior of man, the One in whom they had placed all their hopes and dreams, hangs motionless on that cross.

Bewildered, confused, perplexed, hopeless, helpless, afraid, locked behind closed doors, awaiting news of their own fate at the hands of those who had killed their Lord. Gloom, despair, depression, darkness of soul and mind, was the reality of their present state. They had invested over three years of their lives to Jesus, and now…… well, now, it has proved to be a big joke. They had given their lives to One who was now dead, buried, gone!

The next three days and nights must have been filled with unspeakable, indescribable anguish. What must they have talked about behind those bolted doors? What must have been uppermost in their minds as they contemplated their next move? How could they carry on now without Jesus there to lead them? How were they to face their families and friends with the shame of having been so duped by this charlatan? How could they ever go back and pick up the pieces of their broken lives from which they had walked away three years ago?

Perhaps, in a very small way, you can relate to those feelings of anguish, pain, disillusionment and discouragement. Perhaps things have not worked out for you as you had planned. Perhaps life has not been good to you. Maybe you have experienced some type of loss: a failed business venture, a broken relationship, the death of a spouse or child, the diagnosis of cancer, or any one of an endless list of possibilities. You are now reeling in the aftermath of that loss, and you are wondering what to do now: where to turn, from whom you can get assistance, by what means of escape you will make your exit.

Well, here is where the phrase really gets its meaning: no matter how dark the hour, how dreary the outlook, how desperate the situation, Sunday’s coming! The darkness of death that Jesus had now faced and experienced would be transformed into marvelous, majestic, miraculous light as He breaks free from the shackles of death, hell and the grave. He comes forth victorious, doing exactly what He had told His disciples He would do.

The darkness dissipates, the light shines, and the disciples are miraculously transformed from broken men and women into those who will now literally turn their world upside down for the cause of their now risen Lord and victorious King.

So, how do we make application of this wonderful truth? Let’s respond to that question from two different perspectives. First, let’s consider the temporal perspective. No matter what you are going through, regardless of how severe or how trivial, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Darkness gives way to light. Joy does come in the morning after the long night of darkness and despair. The key is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus in the midst of the darkness. He is unaffected by your present state of circumstances, and yes, He does care deeply for what you are now experiencing. He is not only watching you in your storm, but He is with you in your storm. Trust in Him; lean on Him; accept by faith the strength He alone can give.

Second, let’s consider for a moment the ultimate perspective. Jesus faced the horror of His betrayal, His savage beating, His vicious death, and the darkness of being forsaken by His Father. However, through it all He kept His eyes on the reality of resurrection Sunday. He saw, through the eyes of faith, the wonderful truth of His own victory over death, hell and the grave. For each person who has been born again into the family of God through God’s amazing grace, we, too, can look beyond anything and everything this life throws at us with the assurance that Sunday’s coming! The darkness will be dispelled by His glorious light. Death will be dealt a death-blow by His eternal life. The things of earth will fade into insignificance as we peer into the eyes of the One who purchased us with His blood. We will enjoy eternity in the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Rest assured, Christian friend. Sunday’s coming!

Until next time:

Blessings!

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

Colossians 3:12-14

There are certain things in life that cause me a great deal of pain, sorrow, and deep, abiding sadness. I would like to focus my attention in this blog on one of those crushing realities: fractured families.

Please allow me to begin on a positive note. I am so very blessed in this life to have a wonderful family. I am the youngest of three children. My sister, Ada, and my brother, Wayne, are two very special people. Our parents, W.C. and Evelyn Stewart, were extremely good providers for us as we grew. My siblings and I were blessed to have such sacrificial parents who put our needs first. I did not realize until I reached young adulthood how they cared so deeply for us.

As a young, rebellious teen-ager I took so much for granted. I very seldom, if ever, stopped to realize how much my parents cared for me. Without going into graphic detail, just let it suffice to say I was not a very good child/teenager/young adult. Pretty much the exact opposite. I can’t bear to imagine all the heartache and grief I caused my parents in those years of my life.

But they never, ever, stopped loving me. They were always there, always loving and caring, even when I gave them every possible reason to disown me. I am sure that my siblings would say the same thing about our parents.

However, that is not what this blog is about. This blog is about the heartache and heartbreak of those family members who live in a constant state of fracture. Something has happened – perhaps something of extreme significance, or, perhaps, something of the most trivial nature imaginable.

Allow me to share a couple of personal experiences I have known in the past. In one instance, a father and son lived in houses with adjoining yards. They saw each other every day. They would pass by one another as they left their respective homes. They even attended the same church! But when I met them, they had not spoken in over ten years. As I tried to facilitate a reconciliation between them, I was simply told it was none of my business. The father was tragically killed in an accident, without ever having been reconciled to his son. Fractured!

Another example was a few years after the incident mentioned above. The father of six siblings was gravely ill. The family was called to the hospital as the father’s condition worsened, and his death was imminent. As I sat in the ICU waiting room with these six siblings, I could sense the tension between them. They were arguing about who would get what when their father passed. The situation grew so heated that the police were called to intervene. Fractured!

I could relate several other instances, but these two will show how awful it is to live in a fractured relationship with those we should love the most. I realize that disagreements occur, and even times of heated arguments might take place, but should we not work at resolving those issues that have divided us? Should we not make every effort to be reconciled?

When my mother’s health began to decline, my siblings and I began trying to work out a plan that would best meet her needs. The time eventually arrived in which she could no longer care for herself, so my sister, sister-in-law, and my wife would take turns caring for her. When it became obvious that her needs were more than could be met at her home, the decision was made to find a nursing facility that could meet those needs. I’m not suggesting here that we did everything exactly the way it should have been done, but we tried, working together, to make sure her needs were met.

Then, when my mother passed away, my siblings and I worked together to make arrangements for her celebration of life service. Afterwards, we worked together to make sure her estate was treated with fairness.

If I could go back and change some things, would I? Absolutely! For one thing, I would have tried to take some of the burden off of my sister, as she went above and beyond in caring for our mother. But the point is, we tried, with everything in us, to work together. When it was all said and done we even heard a few individuals say they wished their families could work together as well as we had.

My question is, why can’t you? My siblings and I are nothing special. We are just three individuals who love each other and care for one another. Are we as close as we could be, or should be? Certainly not. But I know one thing for sure: if I need them, they will be there for me, and I for them.

Friends, life is too short to allow fractured relationships to go unattended. What, in all of life, could be so bad that it fractures our relationships to the point that we can’t stand the sight of one another? Please, don’t allow too much time to pass before you make every effort to be reconciled. I assure you, if you don’t, there will come the day you look back with deep regret because you allowed whatever happened in the past to rob you of the joy you could be experiencing in the present.

So, go ahead, make that phone call. You will be glad you did!

There is an occasion for everything,
and a time for every activity under heaven:
a time to give birth and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to uproot;
a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to tear down and a time to build;
a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace and a time to avoid embracing;
a time to search and a time to count as lost;
a time to keep and a time to throw away;
a time to tear and a time to sew;
a time to be silent and a time to speak;
a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Today, March 5, 2019, I celebrate my 67th birthday. Sixty-seven years: A very, very long time.

I remember as a young boy thinking that 30 years old was ancient – until I reached 20 – then 30 didn’t seem quite as ancient as I once thought. But then, I began to think that 50 would be the pivotal date between vigor and vitality and the nursing home – until I reached 40. It was then that I figured 60 would be the point in time, when those who reached that milepost in life, would sit around, sipping on a hot cup of tea, while being wrapped in a shawl to keep the old bones warm.

Then, I reached fifty! Fifty years old! And yet, 50 didn’t seem so bad. All those images that had been floating around in my head evaporated, as fifty came and went with little visible signs of wear and tear. Of course, the old body wouldn’t do some of the things it once did, but, all-in-all, 50 wasn’t so bad after all.

The years between 50 and 60 seemed to pass quickly. As a matter of fact, I look back over those years and wonder where they went! And now, today, I have reached the ripe old age of 67. It really doesn’t seem possible, but, here I am. And, other than a few aches in the joints, and a few health issues that are manageable, I still enjoy relatively good health.

Of those 67 years, my wife and I have spent the last 45 together. We have experienced much in those four and a half decades. We have lived in three states (South Carolina, North Carolina, and Texas), and have moved sixteen times. We have enjoyed doing life together, and are looking forward to our future together as we have now moved into our semi-retirement years.

I have said all that to make this simple observation: Time passes too quickly! As I think about my life, I have a few really big regrets. Oh, I have more than a few regrets, but only a few really big ones. I am going to share a few with the hope that you will possibly learn from my past mistakes.

First, life is short! Sixty-seven sounds like an awfully long time, and I guess it is, but as I look back, it seems to have gone by so quickly. I really regret not using my time on this earth more wisely. If I could change the past, one thing I would make sure to do is spend more quality time with my wife and children. Life gets so very, very busy. I spent way too much time investing in things that now seem extremely unimportant, while neglecting the more important things.

Second, I would have used my God-given talents and abilities more aggressively. When I completed my doctorate, I was encouraged to use my skills in Greek and Hebrew (I won the American Bible Societies award for outstanding student in both languages) to engage in teaching one or the other of the languages in seminary or college. I, regrettably, did not pursue this avenue. Now, please don’t misunderstand, I have certainly enjoyed my pastoral ministry which spanned 40 years, but as I think about those years I feel that I could have invested time in the pursuit of other ventures.

Third, I have to admit that I failed to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Too many times I rushed through life without taking time to enjoy life. My wife and I have embraced the mentality of getting to our destination as quickly as possible, without taking time to enjoy the trip. I have come to realize that enjoying the journey is just as important as reaching the destination. We have long lived by this principle: We don’t back up! What I mean by that is we have been in such a hurry to get somewhere that we haven’t enjoyed the trip. We are both trying to change, but old habits are hard to break!

I realize that I have already lived much longer than I have yet to live. I hope that I have learned some lessons that will enable me to make more of my remaining time. I want to enjoy life to the max. I want to glorify God in all that I do. I want to invest in my family as much as I can. I want to be remembered as one who learned to stop and smell the roses along the path. I want to stroll through life, not race through it.

If you are reading this, and you are now in the young adult years of your, please don’t make the same mistakes that I have made, and now regret. Take time to build a life, not just live a life. Take time to enjoy the journey, not just rush to the destination. Take time to invest in the lives of those you love, because, rest assured, the day will come when you look back and ask yourself: “Where did the time go?”

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Matthew 4:3-5

In my last blog, “A Little Food for Thought,” I tried to answer a question that had been posed to me concerning my outlook on life: Optimist, Pessimist, or Realist? This has prompted me to give a little more consideration to this subject. However, this time, I am going to reverse the title from “A Little Food for Thought” to “A Little Thought for Food.”

In the passage cited above, Jesus makes the assertion, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” An interesting concept, wouldn’t you agree? Let’s try to understand this thought-provoking statement made by our Lord.

First, let’s give attention to the comparison Jesus is drawing. He is comparing the importance of eating food with that of listening to God. In one way this is a rather simple comparison to make. We have to eat to live. Man cannot survive very long without the consumption of food. Therefore, the consuming of God’s Word, spiritual food, is just as necessary as the consumption of food for the body.

But, second, there is something of far more importance than this simple comparison. There is no sin in the desire for food, or the consumption of food. These are natural. This is the way God created us. However, there is a deeper, darker component to this temptation. As a matter of fact, it is sinister at its core. It is a diversionary tactic of the devil to try to make Jesus think the Father does not love Him. The underlying sentiment is that if God really loved Jesus, He would do a better job of providing for Him.

And, the devil has not changed his tactics. He is still up to his old, ageless tricks. When some form of adversity comes our way, he plants the same thought in our minds, doesn’t he? “Oh, God really doesn’t love you, does He? If He did He wouldn’t let you suffer like this. If He really loved you, don’t you think He would take better care of you?” And with this, the seed of doubt enters the mind, and the root of despair begins to grow.

If these doubts linger, and we begin to dwell on them, then we open ourselves up to the onslaught of our enemy. Rest assured, if we give him an inch, he will become our ruler. We will move from doubting God, to being angry with God, to complaining about God, to revolting against God, to walking away from God, and ultimately to defaming God in the eyes and ears of others.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Psalm 119:11

If we neglect feasting on the Word of God, then we become impoverished spiritually. The psalmist had learned this lesson, as evidenced in the verse cited above. Jesus stated clearly that we need to feed on the Word of God, and the psalmist states that by doing this we will safeguard ourselves against falling into sin. Neglecting to feast on His Word weakens us spiritually just as neglecting to eat nourishing food weakens us physically.

So, let’s give ourselves some spiritual nourishment by regularly feasting on a little thought for food. Do you have a daily time in which you get alone with the Father, feasting on His Word? Do you have the habit of storing His Word in your heart so that it might strengthen you in times of weakness, encourage you in times of discouragement, guide you in times of uncertainty, guard you in times of temptation? His Word is our source of life: fulfilling life, satisfying life, contented life, courageous life, victorious life. But, if we are not feasting regularly from this lavish table provided by our loving Father, then we open ourselves up to all the subtle tactics of the enemy of our souls.

So, come to the table, eat to your heart’s content, feasting on the lavish spread the Father has set before you. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

Philippians 4:8

I was asked a few days ago to identify myself in one of three categories: optimist, pessimist, or realist. There was no hesitation at all before I blurted out my response: I am definitely a realist. Or at least that is how I view myself. Those who know me well may have a different opinion, but this is certainly how I see me. Let me try to explain.

I don’t see a silver lining to all of life’s eventualities, nor do I see doom and gloom on every turn. As I observe human behavior, and as I watch news reports of current events, I could easily find myself in a state of discouragement due to the seeming darkness of the human heart. However, the discouragement can be instantaneously transformed into ecstasy as I hear a baby laugh, or a bird sing, or as I simply take a moment to breath in the freshness of a new day dawning. This, in its simplistic form, is the reason I view myself as a realist. I see things as they are.

Now, having said that, let me hasten to say there are days in which I find myself being the supreme pessimist. There are things that happen that cause me to think we are witnessing the total depravity of humanity. News reports of violence in the workplace, in the marketplace, and in the home force me to wonder just how more depraved the human race can become. Stories of human trafficking, child molestation, rape, murder, torture, the proliferation of drug abuse, and so many others could cause even the most optimistic among us to become a cynical pessimist.

But then, there are other days in which I find myself the consummate optimist. The beauty of a sunrise or sunset, painting a portrait with colors no man could ever produce with paints and canvas. The gentle sounds of a cascading mountain stream, or the mighty crash of a thunderous waterfall. The sun reflecting majestically off snow-covered mountain peaks, or the reflection of a brilliant full moon as it glistens across the still waters of a tranquil lake. The brilliance of red and gold leaves dotting a mountainside in the crisp air of fall, or the many hues of green bursting forth as spring brings new life to what has the appearance of death. The sound of my wife’s slow, rhythmic breathing as she sleeps peacefully beside me in the quietness of the early morning.

Yes, I can be quite the pessimist, and a few minutes later be a romantic optimist. But, still, when asked my opinion of myself, I would have to say that I am indeed a classic realist. I base this, mainly, on the fact that I am a believer in the Bible. I believe it records for us the panorama of God’s purposes and plans for His creation. In the Bible, God reveals to those who would read with eyes of faith and ears of understanding His grand plan from eternity past.

The story is so very familiar. God created everything that now exists. Through His creative imagination He placed the planets in place, and now keeps them in place by His power. He chose to create life on at least one of those planets, the one upon which we live. He formed and framed the majestic mountains, and the hot, arid deserts. He formed the oceans, and set the boundaries within which they must remain. The variety of vegetation and wildlife we see in different climates and geographical settings was by divine design. He created a perfect paradise into which He placed man and woman, and gave them dominion over the earth.

It was all such a glorious, wonderful, perfect plan. Optimism at its very best!

But then, something tragic occurred. Man was given the opportunity to make a choice. It seems to have been an extremely simple choice from our present day perspective. Obey God, and enjoy the beauty, bounty and blessings of this perfect garden paradise forever, or disobey and forfeit it all. They chose to disobey, and therefore, paradise was lost, forever.

The glorious, wonderful, perfect plan was subverted by human failure. The result: pessimism at its very worst!

But, the story doesn’t end there. Even though the plan of God had been subverted by sinful man, God was still on the throne and in control. As a matter of fact, man’s disobedience did not catch God off-guard and unprepared. The Bible reveals to the careful reader that God already knew what man would do, and had already ordained a plan though which the disobedient choices of man could be forgiven, and the reality of living in, and enjoying, God’s presence and power could be experienced.

Pessimism at its worst overcome and defeated by optimism at its best!

And now, out of that wonderful story of God’s redeeming grace, we are to look at things realistically through the eyes of faith and the ears of understanding. We realistically look at the world, understanding that it suffers due to the curse of God because of the fall of man. However, we also look realistically at the promises of God that teach us His plan is still to redeem sinful man, and recreate the sin-cursed earth, and restore His original plan of living eternally in His perfect paradise created for the redeemed.

The only thing left to say is simply this: Are you one of the redeemed who is anxiously awaiting the return of the Lord Jesus Christ? It is only through His redeeming blood sacrifice that we are able to overcome the obvious, pessimistic darkness of this world, and enter into the transforming light of His love and grace. Then, and only then, can we be truly optimistic as we look realistically at the glory set before us in our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are certain things that are considered to be absolute. A few examples will suffice to illustrate this concept. A square is an absolute, due to the fact that nothing can be more square or less square. If it is square, it is square, period. Another example is equal. Is it possible that one thing be more equal or less equal? No: if it is equal it is equal. Something can be less than equal, but nothing can be less equal. Just one more example: dead. You cannot be more dead or less dead. If you are dead, you are dead.

Hopefully this sufficiently makes the point that there are some things that are absolutely absolute. I would like for us to give consideration to one absolute that is clearly stated in Scripture.

“The law of the Lord is perfect…”

Psalm 19:7

This is an absolute statement of absolute truth. God’s law is perfect. Perfection is an absolute. This means, in a very simplistic way, that the word of God, the Bible, conveys to the reader the flawless word of truth. It contains truth, without any mixture of error. Therefore, everything in the Bible can be viewed as reliable, trustworthy, and completely, absolutely true.

I realize that there are those who would argue that this is circular reasoning: the Bible says it is perfect, therefore the Bible is perfect. Thus, the argument cannot be substantiated because the evidence given to prove the thesis is found within the thesis itself.

However, since the statement pertaining to the Bible’s perfection is based in the perfection of the One who made the statement, the argument is not a circular argument at all. The perfection of the law of God is founded firmly on the perfection of God Himself. There can be no greater confirmation to the absolute reliability of the perfection of the law of God than that.

Therefore, since God is perfect, and all that He does is sheer perfection, then every word of His Word must, of necessity be perfect. Every principle, every precept, every teaching, every mandate, every commandment, is perfect.

The Bible also attests to the fact that, since it is the perfect word of God, it is good for us. Listen to these words from the pen of the Apostle Paul:

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Since all Scripture is inspired by God, and since the law of God is perfect, then it only stands to reason that those who read and apply it to their lives will benefit greatly from it. However, the opposite of that premise is true as well. If we disregard the perfect law of God, if we refuse to seek the benefits it offers, then we find ourselves grappling around in a state of spiritual darkness.

The Bible also offers a sobering word of warning to those who refuse to embrace the teachings of the perfect word of God:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint.”

Proverbs 29:18 KJV and NKJV

When people decide to disregard the perfect word of God, then they refuse to receive God’s revelation, and all restraint is lost. Thus, a people who once embraced the perfect law of God and then decide to reject it, will find themselves being a law unto themselves.

Could this be the present state of affairs in the United States of America? Could the rejection of the perfect law of God, and the acceptance of the teachings of philosophies and theologies that contradict the clear teachings of that law, be part of the cause for the erosion of the values that once anchored this nation?

The Bible was at one time the anchor that gave stability and security to America, but no more. We are now open to the deceitfulness of religious belief systems that stand in direct opposition to the teachings of the perfect law of God. When the revelation of God’s word is rejected, then that which once bound us together is torn asunder, and the people cast off restraint.

The affects of this are devastating. Let me share just two affects of this casting off restraint in the area of American religious thought. First, it opens us up to religious belief systems other than Christianity. Think for a moment about the religious kaleidoscope that now shrouds America. What was once known as a Christian nation is now a smorgasbord of religions. All restraint has been cast off.

Second, not only have other religions been introduced and embraced, Christianity itself has been adversely affected. Wolves are among the sheep. Shepherds, who are assigned the task of protecting the sheep, have left the clear teachings of the perfect law of God, leaving the sheep open prey for the enemies who would destroy us. Under the umbrella of Christianity in America is a vast number of differences. In terms of theology and doctrine we have: far left-wing liberals, liberals, moderate conservatives, conservatives, far right-wing conservatives, fundamentalists, ultra-fundamentalists, etc. etc.

To some mentioned here, the Bible is still regarded as the perfect law of God. To others, it is the law of God that is less than perfect. And to still others, it contains the law of God, but, it is not the law of God.

What began as what we might refer to as a Christian experiment has now become a laboratory disaster. From the test tube of Christian principle, policy and practice has spilled out every the religious smorgasbord which now defines America.

We need to once again return to the perfect law of God, in which we have the words of life. This is our only means of escape from the spiritual darkness that now engulfs our land.

Two stories have captured the attention of many Americans in the past few days: a new law on abortion in the state of New York, and a law proposed in the House of Representatives which would make cruelty to animals a felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison. I’m sure that I am not the only one who sees the apparent irony of those two news stories.

First, let’s think about the new law signed into effect by Gov. Cuomo of New York. The law allows the abortion of unborn babies up to the moment before birth. In an article discussing this most horrific decision, the following statement was made:

“The bill also authorizes a slew of various health professionals other than doctors to kill babies in the womb. It adds abortion to the New York Constitution and removes protections for babies accidentally born alive.”

Let’s call this what it is: Murder! Please note again the words, “removes protections for babies accidentally born alive.” In other words, even if the baby somehow is born, he/she can still be killed outside the womb. Murder is the appropriate word for this heinous act. Of course, murder is the word for the killing of a baby at any moment post-conception. Life begins at conception, and the taking of that life at any moment after that is an act of murder.

And the proposed legislation which would make animal cruelty punishable by up to seven years in prison smacks in the face of the new abortion law. Animals are protected by the law, but babies have no protection at all. Now please hear me – I am in no way advocating animal cruelty. It truly disgusts me to hear reports of the careless acts of violence against animals, and I do believe that those who commit such heartless acts should be brought to justice.

But to compare the two – the murder of a human being, and cruelty against animals – and to actually hold one accountable while celebrating the other, shows how sick our society has become. Yes, the passing of the bill to allow abortions up to the moment of birth was actually applauded as Gov. Cuomo signed the bill into law. And then, to flaunt it even more in the face of America, he had the World Trade Center luminated with pink light to celebrate the event. Celebrating the wanton, reckless death of a fully developed baby, just moments from birth.

How did we ever get here? We got here by rejecting our rich Judeo-Christian heritage. Abortion is now just a form of birth control. The pro-choice advocates applaud their victory which allows them to legally commit murder against the most vulnerable among us. They make the choice to enter into sexual relationships with the full knowledge that if they happen to become pregnant they can put that baby to death with no legal recourse. Animals have more rights than the unborn child growing in his/her mother’s womb.

I am asking you to join me in prayer for our nation. I am asking that you pray with me for God to bring about a reversal of this heinous law in New York, and stop it from becoming law in other states which are now contemplating enacting this same law. Also, join me in praying for those states which have now moved toward enacting laws which would protect the unborn. Pray for those politicians to remain strong in their commitment to life.

And finally, join me in praying for God to do whatever it takes to bring this nation to its knees in repentance. We are moving head-long to total self-destruction as a nation. A nation which once embraced the principles of the Christian faith and then rejects those principles places itself in direct opposition to the sovereign God of the universe. That will prove to be a fatal mistake.

God help us!

In last week’s blog, I introduced the subject of light vs. darkness, drawing the conclusion that we are now living in a time of a dangerous darkness that is far, far worse than the dangers of physical darkness. Spiritual darkness is by far the most dangerous type of darkness imaginable, and it seems to me that we are seeing this type of darkness settling over us in such subtle ways that many, if not most, are totally unaware of its presence.

Allow me to begin by stating my foundational premise: I believe the United States of America was founded upon the principles and precepts clearly taught in Scripture. I further believe that our founding fathers envisioned a nation ruled by those principles and precepts, and who also believed that this nation would not long survive if these were ever removed.

I believe we are witnessing the erosion of traditional American values by the embracing of such radical ideals being perpetrated on the American people by those who would undermine, even destroy, our nation in order to see their ideologies and political agendas realized. Now, let me say that I believe they believe what they believe just as staunchly and dogmatically as I believe what I believe. So, if we are speaking of personal bias and preference, my view is as good as theirs, and theirs is as good as mine.

BUT, I am not speaking of personal bias and preference. Rather, I am speaking of precedence. I am speaking of the original intent of our founders. I do not claim to be an expert nor an authority on American history, nor do I claim to have some special insight into the thought processes of those who framed our Constitution. However, I do claim to be one who, as an observer of historical trends, detects clearly an erosion of the rich traditions rooted deeply in American history.

A short blog will not provide enough space to do an extensive review of American history, so I will share some thoughts relative to the recent past. We could go back to 1963, when prayer was removed from public school, or to 1973 and the watershed supreme court ruling which made abortion legal. These two events forever changed the landscape of the United States, and only time will reveal the scope of their destructive power. However, in my estimation, these two events were only a symptom of a far worse problem.

In order to deal with symptoms, the root cause of those symptoms must be diagnosed. From those two events (prayer banned from schools and abortion legalized) it is obvious that our beloved country was then on a course moving away from historical precedent. Historically, we had been a nation which lived true to the visions of our founding fathers: a nation which had its trust in God. And this was not some unknown god, but rather the God of the Bible. The banning of prayer and the embracing of abortion were clear indicators of a rejection of over two hundred years of historical precedence.

This opened the floodgates of spiritual confusion, which has now led us down a path of non-identification. Barack Obama summarized it clearly and succinctly when he said that we are no longer a Christian nation. Sadly, this is a true assessment of our present state, and it is due in large part to decisions forced on the American people by radical, political activists and a left-leaning media which has bought into their godless, non-Christian bias.

This all became blatantly obvious during the Democratic National Convention which convened in Charlotte, NC, in September, 2012. It was at this convention that the Democratic Party voted to remove God from their platform, and to refuse to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Now, for the first time, the objective of the Democratic party was brought into the open, and the root cause of all the symptoms was diagnosed: their desire was to remove God (at least the God of the Bible) from the American countryside.

Oh, they had no problem with a belief in some generic god which played no part in the political process. They just didn’t want to be bound to those old fashioned, antiquated ideas which had provided guidance and direction to the American people since the founding of this nation.

So, where are we now? We have just witnessed the swearing in of elected officials who openly reject the rich, traditional heritage of placing their hands on the Bible to be sworn into office. Why? Because they do not embrace American history and precedence. So what did they place their hand on for this beloved ceremony? The Koran. Yes, they openly, by this act, made their allegiance unmistakably clear: they are committed to the teachings of Islam, and have no regard for the long-held teachings of Scripture nor the long-held traditions of the United States.

Spiritual darkness is persuasive and pervasive. This darkness is sweeping across the United States of America. We are losing our identity. Our history is being rewritten by those who would destroy us. How much longer can we survive as the nation our founders and framers envisioned? Only time will reveal the answer. But from the perspective of one who is heartbroken over the events and decisions of the recent past, I feel that perhaps the sun has set on the America we once knew. Our identity as a nation under God has now been replaced as a nation under many gods, or no god at all if that is your personal preference.

I will close by making this very simple summary statement. I realize that there never has been a time in which every individual citizen of this country was a Christian, but there was a time in which we were a Christian nation. We were guided by those principles which are clearly taught in the Bible. You didn’t have to be a Christian to be an American citizen, but if you were an American citizen you lived under the umbrella of those Christian principles. But now, not only can you reject those principles, you can actually force your beliefs and convictions on others.

The persuasiveness and pervasiveness of spiritual darkness has taken its toll. There is now a large part of our citizenry which follows the path set at the 2012 DNC in rejecting God from our American platform. So, now, anything goes. Every man is left to do what is right in his own eyes. Spiritual confusion and chaos grows more intense by the day.

Our only hope is to return to the God of our fathers. He never leaves or forsakes, but we can choose to leave and forsake Him. Let’s not be counted among those who are overtaken by the darkness, but let us shine forth with the message of His love and grace.

It is early morning as I write this blog. Darkness covers the land. I have to depend on artificial light to dispel the darkness and show me the way. I might be able to fumble around, ever so carefully, because I am familiar with my surroundings. However, if I were to step outside into the darkness, I would have to be extremely cautious or else I might trip over something, or run into something that would cause injury to me or others. I need the light.

There is an even greater source of light that I need even more desperately than the physical light of the sun or other sources of artificial light. In a world filled with spiritual darkness, I stand in need of spiritual light; a light that will show me the way through the morass of chaos and confusion caused by the darkness.

Darkness is dangerous. I might be standing on the very edge of a precipice overhanging a gorge hundreds, or even thousands, of feet deep. One step forward and I would plunge to a certain death. Darkness conceals the danger, whereas light would dispel the darkness and reveal the dangers of the situation. I desperately need the light.

In a world filled with deep, impenetrable darkness, where are we to turn for light to guide the way? The Bible gives the answer:

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of the world.”

John 8:12

It could not be clearer: Jesus is the light of the world, and those who follow Him will not be confused by, or overtaken by, or even destroyed by, the darkness of the world. However, this leaves us with a bit of a problem: Jesus is not physically with us. We cannot see Him, nor can we hear His voice. So, how are we to follow Him?

Again, the Bible reveals the answer:

“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”

Psalm 119:105

The word of God is the light we desperately need to guide us safely through the darkness of the world, which is so pervasive and persuasive that many are caught up in its throes while being completely unaware of its presence. Allow me to explain what I mean.

First, let’s focus our attention on the pervasiveness of the darkness. Pervasiveness is defined as “the quality of spreading widely or being present throughout an area or a group of people.” We can think of this in several different ways: the pervasiveness of philosophical thought, the pervasiveness of theological thought, the pervasiveness of scientific thought, or any other system of thought that does not have God as its central, foundational focal point. When God is left out, then we subject ourselves to the thoughts and imaginations of man, which leads to the embracing of darkness rather than light.

Next, let’s think about the persuasiveness of darkness. Once darkness is embraced, we open ourselves to the deception of darkness. We embrace ideas, philosophies, theologies that strive to give explanation to the perplexities and uncertainties of life without the foundation of the light of God’s word. The danger of embracing the darkness of the world is revealed by Jesus:

“This, then, is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. For everyone who practices wicked things hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

John 3:19-21

Those who choose to reject Jesus, and the teachings of His word, will find themselves engulfed in and controlled by the darkness. Please note that I am not here speaking of individuals who live wicked lives. I am speaking of those who embrace the philosophies and theologies and scientific theories which do not have God in the formula. Their teachings may sound intelligent and perhaps even make perfectly good sense to those who are not depending on the light to guide them. Thus, the darkness of the world becomes more and more pervasive, and more and more persuasive, to the point that it is embraced as truth.

However, when it is subjected to the light of God’s word, it is found to be in stark contrast to that word, and thus must be discarded as darkness.

Therefore, any philosophy, or religion, or theological system, or scientific theory which does not have God as its very foundation must be rejected. It must be tested by the light of God’s word, and brought into alignment with that word. If not, it is merely the speculation and conjecture of man, whose mind has been subjected to the darkness of the world.

Let me close this week by encouraging each of us to remain absolutely committed to the teachings of the Bible. Let us study its content; let us embrace its truth; let us then shine the light of Jesus into the world of darkness, with the hope and prayer that His light, shining through us, might attract people to Him.

Next week I will be sharing my thoughts on the pervasiveness and persuasiveness of darkness in the United States of America.