Political Indigestion

America, like the rest of the world, is in need of true leadership. Political rhetoric flows like a tidal wave during these days of the presidential race. Promises of bigger government, higher taxes, tax rebates, etc. are laughable at best. Mankind drifts farther and farther away from the utopia we believe we can create. We cling to the old 70's song "Imagine" and imagine if we can just elect the right person, the train will get back on the tracks and arrive at the right destination. We live in a broken world, full of injustice, prejudice, hatred and sin. All a result of man's selfishness and refusal to submit to God's Word and authority (God as revealed to us in Jesus Christ). Paul says in Romans 8 that this world is a place of 'groaning' and 'frustration.' We would all agree. The solution to this, is not another politician, but focusing our attention upon Jesus Christ. Christ is the leader whose footprints we must follow. I'm sure this won't happen on a world wide, or national scale; however, it can happen in your daily journey and mine. I have discovered as I seek to follow Christ, I find a peace and joy in the midst of the groaning and frustration. In fact, earlier in Romans 8, Paul speaks of the life lived under the control of the Holy Spirit that brings life and peace. No politician can produce life or peace. The selfishness and sinfulness of mankind will overrule mankind's best effort to produce life and peace. Yes, we must work politically to facilitate life and peace on planet earth; however, without a firm foundation of faith in Christ, our best effort is sinking sand. As a follower of Christ I must model a different lifestyle in the midst of the groaning and frustration. A lifestyle of hope, peace, and joy. A lifestyle that is looking forward to a new heaven and new earth, the home of righteousness.

Sinners or Saints

Listening to "Christian" radio my spirit was accosted again by the adamant exhortation from the preacher that we are all just sinners. How tragic if that is the best the powerful gospel can do! No where in the N.T. does it refer to Christ's followers as sinners. Yes, it does reference that a Christian may sin, but this is not the daily pattern (1 Jn.2:1). Paul says that we are dead to sin (Rom.6). In 1 Cor.10:13 he says that with every temptation there is a way of escape. We don't have to commit the sin. 1 John 2 states that these things are written that we not sin and he goes on to say that everyone who is born of God does not commit sin. Sin is death-flee from it. The indwelling Holy Spirit is the source of power and wisdom to enable us to walk in the light and to say no to ungodliness and worldly pleasures (Titus 2:14). I'm no longer a sinner, I am a saint. Praise the Lord! Even the troubled Corinthians were called saints in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 1:1, Eph.1:1, Col.1:2, Rom. 1:7). Our behavior as followers of Christ must be different from what it was when we followed our carnal, selfish desires. We are new creatures in Christ, the old has gone. We are not sinnners, we are children of God (1 Jn.3:1). When we speak of sin, we speak of willful transgression. Adam and Eve did not make a mistake, they made a choice not to obey God. Don't cheapen grace, and don't cheapen the powerful gospel by embracing the false teaching that we are all just sinners. Praise the Lord that by His grace He has transferred me from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. To live in sin is to live in darkness, rebellion, disobedience and under the judgment of God. That's not who Christians are, nor how they are to live ( 1 Thess. 4-9). Paul's testimony concerning his lifestyle speaks of holiness and righteousness (1Thess.2:10). Let's stop excusing what makes God sick. Let's make the choice to be who we are, saints in the Lord. I am a recipient and participant in the abundant provision of grace so that I can reign in life (Rom.5:17). I don't want to live in sin. I want to walk in holiness with Christ. I know what sin does, I want to be a slave to God and be blessed with holiness and eternal life (Rom.6:22). Dear Christian, do not let sin reign in your mortal body...do not offer the parts of your body to sin...but rather offer yourselves to God (Rom. 6:11-14). When you look in the mirror, don't see a sinner, see a child of God, redeemed, set free, forgiven, cleansed, sanctified, filled with the Spirit, and empowered to walk in the light.