REJOICE! Find comfort in the Beatitudes -- Matt 5:3-12

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

NOTE: About the graphic design.

As I did research for this post it became obvious the conviction level for myself is way too low as I read and meditated on each one of the statements. The research on ‘merciful’ was utterly profound. I discovered there was an attitude I needed to have I did not. Hence the graphic.

The word Beatitude was divided up to play on the word with the idea of being an attitude. So Be attitude. The Cross is added as the second ‘T’ not in the word beatitude. I made the color triangles with the red representing blood at the top of the cross and the green representing life at the bottom. I used clouds to represent ascent to heaven and the rocks and water to represent the promise on earth. GOD is our ROCK. Jesus is life’s WATER.

While the Beatitudes is a statement of condition for many then and throughout time to include today, tomorrow and the future until Christ’s return, it also speaks to the ‘character’ of a Christian and their attitude towards their condition and their character.

The whole graphic is multiple layer message in a visual. So, will you ‘be’ the Christ ‘attitude’ to exhibit the beatitudes?

Don’t you love HAPPY news? 

How enduring is happy news? Each person finds happiness in all sorts of things in life, like the birth of a child, a pay raise, job or volunteer position, good health report, engagement to marry, good weather, vacation destination, favorite series is renewed for another season?

Jesus’s famous ‘Blessed’ statements known as “The Beatitudes” recorded by The Apostle Matthew bring a true and faithful happy news. It is here we spend time with this post.

Consideration of the Beatitudes section: Matt 5:3-12

 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Destitute is one word used to describe this kind of ‘poor’. Even the idea things are so bleak there is no way to improve their lot in life.

Imagine if you will, someone so overwhelmed and overcome by this sense of helplessness hearing Jesus’ words that the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them?!

Doesn’t matter if the person hasn’t a cent to their being; no worldly goods; no valuable with which to barter but still inherits the kingdom of the heavens! What society ever throughout history has taken such consideration of those who are truly without means and brought them into the finest places of the kingdom? There have of course been beneficent societies who try to conscientiously care for the immediate needs of the poor but it has been left to those whose means are limited to show this charity. Surely, the homeless are mostly still homeless even if they find a meal and a cot periodically. They are not sharing a room in the royal mansion.

But, how about considering the poor in spirit. It does not mean they have no spirit, or are homeless in that sense. It means they’re at wit’s end. Worse than the physical state of destitution is the spirit state of destitution. Someone so inconsolable, so distressed, perhaps totally depressed to the point of utter despondency, in their spirit. Yet, here is a promise from GOD’s SON they will inherit the kingdom of the heavens. They will find their lives enriched with the blessings of GOD’s KINGDOM. First of all, life unending. Then, acceptance into the Kingdom with no end.

What Jesus is offering those who are truly desperate is the only solution, HIS KINGDOM is theirs!  

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Again, the full sense of the word “mourn”. The inconsolable. The wailing desperate edge of loss. The profound sense of loss. Jesus said ‘they will be comforted’. 

Comforted here is in the sense the person would be ‘refreshed’ or ‘cheered up’.

The good news would bring them hope which would cheer them up.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Vine’s defines it like this: ““… it consists not in a person's "outward behaviour only; nor yet in his relations to his fellow-men; as little in his mere natural disposition.  Rather it is an inwrought grace of the soul; and the exercises of it are first and chiefly towards God. It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting; …” 

Would it not be wildly exciting to live on an earth where people have an inwrought grace of the soul with an emphasis towards GOD?

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states hunger here is ‘to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire’.

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon states thirst is “figuratively, those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened” with an accent ‘of the thing desired’.

In today’s vernacular: those who intensely crave [hunger] and eagerly long [thirst] for righteousness shall be filled.

Notice the emphatic speech patterns in the Beatitudes?

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Vine’s Expository defines merciful thusly: "is the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it.”

Please read that definition a couple of times and let the idea set in. As we think of who made this statement we can rest assured it will be as stated.

GOD has the means to recognize our need and the resource adequate [Jesus’s shed blood] to meet the need! Be merciful. You have nothing to lose.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

From Vine’s regarding pure in this passage: "free from impure admixture, without blemish, spotless," is used / ethically, with the significance free from corrupt desire, from guilt

From Thayer’s regarding ‘see’ in this passage: ‘To be admitted into intimate and blessed fellowship with God in his future kingdom.’

The desire and practice of freedom from corrupt desire and guilt will lead to the admission and blessings via fellowship with GOD in HIS future kingdom.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary states simple “an adjective signifying peace making [Eirene, and poieo, “to make”] is used in Matt 5:9”

Peace making is a lofty sentiment, goal, habit, activity, desire. It can be frustrating trying to diffuse tension to create calm. The best example of exercising this facet of Christian qualities is on one’s self. We are conflicted in so many ways just us, ourselves. It is a great time when frustration may grab us and hold us tight to actually become our own peace maker, calming the tension in our mind, soul, spirit, emotions and psyche. If we can become proficient at making peace within ourselves then we can look outward and try our skills on external circumstances or issues or events or whatever needs to be changed from tension to calm.

If you look at the whole statement though it gives us another clue. If we are peacemakers, we shall be called the child of GOD. Children have an innocence, an ease or literalist view of the world. Everything is simplified to this or that; mine – yours, black or white, yes or no. When there is friction between the very young they will try and resolve it for a more comfortable interplay or call the adult to resolve it. They do not feel comfortable in charged situations. They try to maintain an equilibrium for themselves that is calm. Additionally, when they become frustrated and upset their own peace – we call that pitching a fit – then the adult reasons with them teaching them skills to manage their own internal chaos for a more peaceful one.

It makes perfect sense then if we look to convert a stressful situation from one of chaos to one of peace we will become the peace maker child of GOD.  

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

First bit of interest is to note this is the second time ‘for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ is used. The last time we saw this was the opening vs 3, blessed are the poor in spirit. And here, we have which are persecuted for righteousness sake.

Breaking this one down:

1.      Which are persecuted: The Greek translation of [diōkō] what Jesus said here is understood: ‘in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one… To be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something.’

2.     For the sake of Righteousness: In this case the Greek word [‘dikaiosynē]’ has the meaning ‘of whatever is right or just in itself, whatever conforms to the revealed will of God,’.

And now we see why Christians who endeavor to do what is right or just and conform to the revealed will of GOD may be harassed, molested and mistreated for merely wanting to do what is right and just and the revealed will of GOD. You can see why vs 3 ‘poor in spirit’ and this vs ‘persecuted for sake of righteousness’ has a similar outcome ‘for theirs is the kingdom of the heaven’ being the same destination. When you are persecuted to the degree that some have been throughout history then we can see why they may be worn down, destitute for GOD’s glory in the kingdom.

As I contemplated the this particular verse [10] I thought of a hike one might take which leads through a hot, dry and arduous experience. Say, a hike in the desert in mid spring when it is not yet in the triple digits yet the sun is still hot. As the walk progresses the heat of the day and exercise becomes harsh and zaps energy levels and begins to dehydrate the body. The shade is nonexistent. This could describe a faith walk through a world without faith. Then you see a body of water – not a mirage – and your whole being is reenergized and hastens approach. You walk into the water, or fall into it, for refreshing. The cool wet on your parched hot body is so invigorating and restores you sufficiently you can move on to the finish. Those waters of refreshing are like walking with the Spirit of GOD.

But, what if the water was very hot, smelled awful and repulsed your senses? Are there times in your life when you are simply exhausted and worn out and people fail to notice? They heap more exhausting life on and over you? Then, after they shake it off themselves onto you they leave and do not look back? This is where the words spoken by Jesus in the Beatitudes bring ‘seasons of refreshing’ to your weary self. HE recognizes the effects living life here and now can wreak upon you and instead of telling you to just take it HE lets you know HE gets it. Life is tough and made all the more so if you are living a Christian principled life yet the reward is a cool, enticing pool of water and ultimately results in ‘seeing GOD; being children of GOD, being filled and the kingdom of heaven! 

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

1.      Insult you: Greek word used “oneidizō” Unjust reproach, to revile.

2.     Persecute you: To harass, trouble, molest one

3.     Falsely say: Greek word: “pseudomai” to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood: -- against one.

4.    Evil against you: Greek word: “ponēros” – bad -- connected with ponos, "labor," expresses especially the "active form of evil “reproach”

5.     For my sake:  

John 15: 18,20 quotes Jesus: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; …” If you are familiar with Jesus last few weeks he was persecuted, reviled, evil things spoken against him, lies, ultimately execution.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Rejoice and exceeding glad is a bit of a redundancy but the Greek word for ‘exceedingly glad’ “agalliaō” carries with it the further action of ‘exulting’. Jesus said those whose lives are reflected in the foregoing verses should have JOY and EXULT for great is your reward in heaven. He also reminds us that people also persecuted the prophets before us.

Bottom line, while the situation may be discomforting, disquieting and demanding and we are suffering some, if not all, of what HE did --- we should find Joy and Exultation in our friendship with HIM.

The Beatitudes do not stop with verse 12 but continues with what seems to be more and more difficult orders of behavior to overcome. But, if we see those orders as part of a bigger picture of living in innocence then the reward will certainly cause us to REJOICE in EXULTATION. 

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Narrow Cramped Road

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Theme scripture

“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” [Matt 7:14] KJV

“But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” New Living Translation [NLT]

Discussion

Today, in the U.S., our culture has taken an about face regarding ‘right v wrong’ with many things traditionally held as right and proper. Now those values or the people who espouse them are labeled with pejorative words like ‘racist’ ‘judgmental’ ‘harsh’. People are looking for safe spaces to escape comparing those traditional values to their own ‘anything goes’ and ‘all is acceptable values’. Yet, their anything goes and all is acceptable lifestyle and values is paradoxical. In fact, traditional Christian values are not acceptable nor included in the ‘anything goes’ minds of many!

Let’s discuss Christian Traditional  

Four centuries of Christian traditions in this country have been reduced by too many people, some of whom claim Christianity as their religion, to ‘unessential’ status in society. Let’s not talk about controversial traditions like Christmas, Easter or other church holidays. Let’s focus on actual character values: Truthful, honest, honorable, respectful, being responsible, charity.

FIRST: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” [John 8:32] KJV

In America, we take pride in our many articulated freedoms as contained in our governing documents: Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights. Yet, Jesus uttered knowing the truth would set us free, liberate us from the dominion of sin! That truth is identified in the New Testament as the Gospel. Jesus fine tunes the ‘truth’ and we find that statement in John as well. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And here: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”. ß ‘set at liberty them that are bruised’ according to Vines Expository Dictionary means ‘to smite through, shatter, them that are bruised, i.e., broken by calamity’.  [Luke 4:18/Isa 61:1] KJV

As Christians, we are free from the burdens of word manipulation to protect a sinner’s fragile ego. While we seek to be tender in dealing with those still in bondage to sin wanting to share the gospel so they too may be at liberty from the dominion of sin, we are under no obligation to succumb or be taken captive once again to the dominion of sin by participating ‘EVEN BY CONSENT’ to those who wish that we not accuse them of sin by our liberty. The Apostle Paul, in teaching and preaching to the Christian congregation in Rome identified the very sin we see today as unrighteous, wickedness, greed, and badness. He actually names the unrighteous, wicked and bad activities: Full of Envy, murder, HATERS OF GOD, and much more but ends the accusations with this very telling statement: “who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them.” [Romans 1:32] – American Standard Bible

NOTE: For full message and intensity of Paul’s words it is strongly suggested you read the entire chapter #1 for the context to vs 32. Read it prayerfully.

Did you catch this: The ones knowing the ordinance [laws] of GOD practiced the sins but not only did they practice but consented to those that practice them. So, basically back then, Paul was identifying a huge hornet’s nest of sinful behavior. He said there were people who knew better who just practiced sin anyway. Even if they did not personally engage in sin, they actually gave CONSENT to those that practiced sin! DESPITE their knowing the law of GOD and that it was punishable by death they STILL participated or consented to it!!!

BIG QUESTION: Having read that verse, hopefully the whole chapter, do we see ourselves in any part of that? If we are not personally practicing or engaged in the breaking of GOD’s laws do we consent to those who do? Please pray for elucidation on that question. Pray Holy Spirit root out any part of us that fits that statement. Pray as King David did. “Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;” [Psa 26:2] – NIV

Also prayerfully consider, Psa 143.10 and Psa 119:35

Conclusion:

There are so many prophetic statements thousands of years old that are being fulfilled by the reversal of right and wrong. It is frustrating for many to see the attack upon traditional Christian culture in this country but it should also be exciting to see prophecy become 3 dimensional. Imagine the 1 dimensional word printed on the paper some written so far back in time yet now a reality as it walks with those souls who have embraced what is a foreign set of values to traditional Christian practice.

Some encouragement from Scriptural prophecy being seen in evidence today. Some would even say more often than before.

“Woe to those who call evil good
    and good evil,
who put darkness for light
    and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
    and sweet for bitter.

21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes
    and clever in their own sight.

22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine
    and champions at mixing drinks,
23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
    but deny justice to the innocent.” [Isa 5:20-23] NIV

COMMENT: Do you not see the reality of those who have now traded good for bad relabeling what we know to be ‘good’ as bad and vice versa? Is this how some Christians fall into the mindset to ‘consent’ to what is sin because sin has been redefined today? Because sin has been reduced to an ‘opinion’.

“Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 

5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [Matt 24:4-14] NIV

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” [2 Tim 3:1-5]

THIS warning scripture, the very solemn admonition to the Christians in Thessalonica 2000 years ago is chilling. The Apostle Paul felt compelled to write this then as prophetic warning with a sober reality. It is therefore not a stretch to understand why Jesus stated so emphatically that the gate to eternity is STRAIGHT and path/road is NARROW and CRAMPED. You cannot be steeped in uncertainties, in complacent sin -- whether active in practice of sin or by ‘winking’ in consent to it. We also do not want to be so far removed from our intimate relationship with GOD or HIS WORD, the Bible, that we fall prey to the ‘lie’. And the last line is the perfect answer to those who have become twisted in their thinking via ‘consent’ to sin; by practicing the socially acceptable view of sin -- changing right to become wrong and good to become evil.

“2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie,10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” [2 Thess 2:1-2] NIV

 In closing:

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” [1 Cor 16:13] NIV

 

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Narrow Cramped Road ... Part 2

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

READER ALERT: This is a very long article. 

How does a Christian make it through the straight gate and down the narrow and cramped road to eternity?

With this post we will take a secular and spiritual look at the question ‘how does a Christian navigate the trek from belief to eternity’?  This post is both opinion and scripture. It is a look at how Christians, living in the U.S., should be much freer to establish their various churches and exercise their religion, unabridged. With no doubt, please understand, this is an opinion blog space to discuss GOD as seen and understood through the eyes, heart, mind, soul and spirit of a Christian’s faith as it is based on the ONE who came to earth to establish in person, the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. “6 Jesus saith to him, `I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one doth come unto the Father, if not through me;” [John 14:6] YLT

It is based on the gospel and GOD’s love for us! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16] KJV

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” [ 1 John 4:15-16] KJV

Life from birth to eternity

Picture, if you will, your path in life. Doesn’t matter at what age you look at your life the pratfalls are all the same just more age related as we mature through infancy, toddlerhood, elementary schooling, middle schooling, high school, college/vocational education, work place, family, church, social activities, neighborhood and community living, the same challenges exist in all our life from beginning to end. The challenges are like huge boulders, deep holes, long stretches of deep water, treks through desert like harsh environments and the beauty of a well-designed and maintained gardens. But, it is a huge maze with all these and more as obstacles within the maze making it all the more difficult to emerge from the exit to eternity. We must remember to choose the right entry [Jesus], to continue to use our guide [Holy Spirit], to consult the map [Bible], while meditating on the solutions to the many foibles along the way and remain on the right path [narrow and cramped] into eternity. It is a mixed bag of hard at times but other times --- beautiful and exhilarating.

And now we begin our history lesson for Christian living in the U.S.

Difficulties confront persons choosing to live a Christian principle based life in the world where grotesque visuals and verbiage is offensive; where hatred and violence are prevalent; where religious intolerance is the norm for many Christians. Their sense of ‘traditional family’, their business practices, the choices some make for their children’s education, their view on the sanctity of life and its beginnings from conception, their desire to observe certain holidays with impunity, the political views they may hold, or those who desire to have none, their sense of gratitude for the place they live and the desire to do their part to protect it, but most importantly the tenets of their faith and the promise to be able to exercise it unabridged are now under attack both subtly and confrontationally.

This is not new nor will it fade from our reality. History is bloated with intolerance of Christianity from the day Jesus was baptized until today. Persecution chased early Christians from their homes, their communities and their places of worship. It came from within their own faith based communities, from the government authorities, from those who tried to co-op Christian beliefs into a blend of philosophically appealing mock religions like animism, agnosticism, even iconoclasm. The latter is often done by different sects or denominations of Christian practitioners. [The Co-op is not limited to those listed]

The stress of life and the many responsibilities of life creates a time management issue and many see their ‘faith’ or ‘spirituality’ as the bottom of their list when they must manage their time.

As stated, the Christian today is being pressured into accepting societal norms in speech and actions to avoid penalties. If they own a business and a conflict arises because of their Christian conscience they often lose their investment, their business, their privacy and their FREEDOM, prohibited from practicing their religion unabridged. It is a constitutional right to be able to practice your religion unabridged. The idea that a Christian’s business is not an extension of their faith is ludicrous. Penalizing them for free exercise of their faith is unconstitutional. While they fight their case all the way to the Supreme Court to set a precedent however, we need to remember ‘if they persecuted Christ they will persecute HIS followers’.

What is a Christian to do if we prayerfully realize use of certain acceptable phrases or implementation of certain acceptable social norms may not offend most segments of society but would offend CHRIST or even our Christian forefathers, who do we choose to offend? It is most complicated in practice but not a complicated decision. It is how we maintain our footfall on the narrow and cramped path. Through prayer, study and practice the weary and exhaustive trek will be worth it. Sometimes made lighter with clarity of vision.

Let me illustrate with this memory:

Years ago, my husband and I visited Hawaii as often as we could book a flight/motel package and get there. On one trip, we took our bags to the airport and checked them in and stashed our carry on in lockers. We took the city bus to a spot that would allow us to go for a hike to kill time until our flight left. The map said there was a lake up on a path and so we decided to go for the walk. We climbed up through bamboo forests to the path. Arriving at the path, there was a sign pointing us in the direction we wanted to go. The path from that point was as wide as a one lane road, grassy, except for the path worn by animals and hikers. The path was uphill, then leveled out, narrowing as we walked. We continued to look ahead to see if we could see the lake but there was no evidence of one. We walked for a long time. The path continued to narrow. The only sign was the one at the trailhead. We began to question whether the map and sign were correct. We finally came to a canyon. It held a breathtaking view of the community below --- known as Manoa --- and on the horizon the gorgeous blues of the Pacific and sky meeting. The path had narrowed down to no wider than would allow one foot in front of the other. You had to walk sort of sideways to avoid falling down the face of the cliff to continue. The promise that we would see a better path ahead was nonexistent. While we had arrived at a beautiful, paradise like place, it was not what we set out to see nor where we wanted to end up. Due to time and wisdom we decided to retrace our steps back to the trailhead and return to the airport. As we began our trek back we realized after a length of time we may be lost.  Nothing looked familiar. We assumed we missed the sign at the trailhead. We paused for a moment to admit we may be lost and how to resolve the problem when the path gave way and we sled down a muddy cliff through the bamboo forest and came to the end of our downhill slide at the very entrance to the trail where we began. We laughed so hard at the Romancing-the-Stone-moment, our utterly muddy persons and the fact that wherever we were up on the trail we were where we wanted to be now!

The point of the story: The broad path leading off to destruction, starts out looking promising, instructive with information signs along the way. It may be enticing and easy but it winds up taking you nowhere. Finding your way back may land you where you started. But, will you choose another ‘the’ path? The narrow and cramped one? Or, will you be lost and in peril with no way out.

We must make our choice of a pathway that is well lit by GOD’s LIGHT [Jesus] and GOD’s Word [Bible]. [Psa 119:105] It has a door that is straight but leads to a narrow and cramped path/road.

As Christians, we enter the Way through the TRUTH that leads to Life. Jesus is the TRUTH. He is no false god, no myth, no story conjured from ancient minds. He is the Way. HE is not some ethereal or nebulous place one strives to experience. HE is LIFE. HIS presence in our lives transfers us from death to life --- then through life to life eternal. So long as we keep our faith firmly rooted in our Savior with daily prayer and contemplation then the path, while narrow and cramped, will lead us to eternal life. Be not concerned. As we grow weary, remember the narrow and cramped path does have a ‘few’ on it so we provide a mutual assistance to one another encouraging one another to love and fine works.

Living in the U.S.

Our experience on the path as Christians is very different from one nation to another. Many nations do not recognize a freedom to worship as we wish. Many have state religions you ae required and expected to adhere to and others nations have cultural religions you are basically born into and while leaving is not punishable like a state religion would be, the departure from the cultural expectations can bring ostracizing from family and community.

Some four plus centuries ago it was from a harsh state religious environment labeled as ‘Christian’ that people took extreme measures to escape. They took their families, what goods they could bring with them and their life savings to pay for portage for themselves and their goods to board a ship and traverse a huge body of water for a long period of time. Their travel would take them from the place they knew and a culture they were familiar with to a brand-new land where everything was different. The people of the land were a very different culture and religion. The landscape was different. The food sources and water sources were different. It was primitive with the earliest travelers arriving to no infrastructure, as they knew infrastructure, at all. They left with everything and arrived to nothing that was familiar.

Over 3 centuries they built, they moved about, they developed their own local cultures and they practiced their Christian faith – denominationally different in some cases,  with much more freedom. By the mid-18^th century it was clear some sort of ‘government’ was a practical idea. A war had been fought for independence from the ruling authority the initial travelers sought to escape. The established 13 colonies, that included pretty much the entire coastal area of the Atlantic Ocean [minus Maine and Florida] each having its own ruling authority found wisdom in federalizing the whole of the 13 colonies. Over time a body of documents was affirmed and the course of the future was set with the adoption of the documentation which started with our Declaration of Independence! This would be the first country where Christianity would be the prominent religion but not a state mandated religion. In fact, the new established government set the citizens of the country free to establish their own religion and the exercise and practice of their religion unabridged!

The governing documents of this nation recognize that all are created equal; that they have the right to several freedoms, including religion. In fact, the section of the first amendment regarding religion specifies this: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…” Have you asked yourself why this was the premiere freedom of the first amendment? With freedom of speech, of the press, of the people to assemble peaceably or to petition the government for redress of grievances to follow?

While I do not presume to know the intent in all the many discussions as the Constitution evolved, nor in minds of those who debated it, nor the hearts of the men who held opinion; I do know that most fled Europe and came to America to escape the oppression of a state religion.

Upon arrival and settling it was their goal to FREELY worship as they deemed right personally. By securing the right to freedom of religion via the Constitution no royal rule nor sense of superiority or entitlement would supersede the citizen of the colonies -- as was the case for centuries in Europe. They were now free to pursue their narrow and cramped path with more ease.

The First Amendment begins with the words above. To freely establish your religion and freely exercise it you must be free to speak your mind/heart/spirit in the practice/exercise of your religion. The Press was used to promote various Christian religions. Please remember, the ‘Press’ today and the ‘Press’ of their day are very different things. The Press in their day was used to debate ideas, to promote ideas and religion, to bring news to and about the community and from afar and to organize certain activities of a community, group or cause. Freedom to assemble peaceably would allow the different religious groups to hold their services and other ‘church’ related activities without fear of reprisal or disruption from those who disagreed/or, from the Government. And the right to petition the government for redress of grievances provided the ability for any church or church member to appeal the decision to penalize someone’s religious practice by seizure of their property or imprisonment based on their faith. All of these freedoms secured for the new colonialist what they did not have in their former countries.

  

Back to the beginning:

It is no surprise that as they contemplated the ‘more perfect union’ their Christian faith would bear influence on the way their legal system would work. The Ten Commandments served as the foundation of acceptable human behavior. It made sense therefore to establish laws that would secure those behaviors could be practiced or consequential censure would be legally imposed. No matter the diversity in belief systems, Christian or otherwise, Christianity was the traditional and generally accepted practice of the citizenry of the 13 colonies. From that time to the beginning of the 20^th century it was understood traditional Christian standards were the standards most people ‘religious or not’ upheld as to their character. They knew it was wrong to murder, to steal, to bear false witness [lie], commit adultery. They understood they should worship GOD and not blaspheme GOD. They should honor their father and mother.

From the early 20^th century however a new attitude was born.

1.      Question authority!

2.     Suggestions of no GOD

3.     Begin a course where ruling elite would remove ‘the peon’s’ right to free worship and independent citizenship – reverting back to an oppressive governing style the earliest settlers sacrificed much to escape.

4.    Enact laws ‘abridging’ free exercise thereof

5.     Disavowal that all are created equal ß this one is implicit in the tone and direction of the many protests, marches and rallies. For instance, recently ‘feminism 2.0’ has become the latest group set apart and above others. In fact, women who were deemed unworthy of the feminism cause were denied participation in the activities. Additionally, men have been so demeaned and emasculated they made societal eunuchs. Feminism initially began to call attention to demeaning behavior and attitudes from a then male dominated society. Yet, today feminism 2.0 is every bit as demeaning as those they condemned. So, they have become NO BETTER while foisting their behaviors on all of society. Frankly there is nothing remotely reminiscent of Christian living associated with the ones who have been documented behaving in such depraved ways.

The goal of the alleged PROGRESSIVE elitist society has succeeded by eventually relegating Christianity to a subordinate place in a cultural revolution where sin was introduced as the established new religion. The convoluted faux religion of progressivism seems to be the only one allowed to exist without prohibition in its exercise thereof unabridged.

Thanks to those whose practice of Christian faith/principles at the beginning of the nation back a few centuries ago, the framework for everyone/anyone to make their ‘free will’ choice in the course of their life has evolved into a very different reality. Today, Christian standards have become passé in the minds of many but  they are nonetheless held out as society’s ‘standards’ albeit for most to rail against! But prophetically it is all the more fulfilling to see the words written so inspiringly two millennia ago now true.

Review:

Here are just a few of the prophetic human characteristics listed in the Bible at 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Whether you are a Christian or not, most of these are an assault on culture not only Christianity. For this exercise, we will look at ways these are true.

People will be lovers of their own selves

We are commanded by the LORD to love our neighbors as ourselves. It was not meant to be a self-centered or selfish love to the exclusion of the neighbor. Using others to promote our own sense of worth or to gain at their expense is mere etching on the surface of how this one is being fulfilled

Proud

The adage ‘pride goes before a fall’ seems to be wholly lost on people today. History is rife with written examples of what happens when someone decides to puff themselves up with pride. Should a Christian take pride in their accomplishments in the many walks of our lives? Definitely, but not as a weapon to beat others with nor as means to make ourselves feel or appear better.

Blasphemers

Vines Expository Dictionary defines this as ‘abusers, speaking evil’ and speech defamatory of the Divine Majesty.

Strong’s Definitions uses ‘impious (against GOD) and ‘railing’

Disobedient to parents

Unthankful

The culture of the world notices the ‘sense of entitlement’ so obviously entrenched here in the U.S.

Unholy

Though there have been historic records enclaves of people practicing  witchcraft the satanic influence has appeared in this time in what is now called ‘dark’ sides to everything from kids exhibiting Goth attire and attitudes to the Dark Web where every unspeakable unholy act is offered. We are caught up on the speech patterns without thinking when we refer to such activities of the ‘occult’ as ‘dark’ and not by their unholy name: satanic!

Without natural affection

What natural affection is used to abort a baby as a means of birth control?

What natural affection is used in the culture that seeks to change the biological gender of a human from a female to male or vice versa?

What is natural affection when the procreative act of sex is exchanged for personal preference in sexual partners? ß Please do not let it slip your notice the use of the word ‘partners’ [plural] which is in itself an abandonment of natural affection for Christians who understand Biblical standards like marriage.

Fierce

Savage is the word used by Vine’s to describe fierce. In this case, the only time this word appears as such is in 2 Tim 3:4.

Do you not shake your head in disbelief at the heinous savagery we see on the News, here and in other countries? Some correctly use ‘barbaric’ to describe the fierceness which daily makes the news.  

Despisers of those that are good

Have we not seen the marches with the signs held high in their prideful display of vulgar and offensive expressions that ‘rail’ against traditional Christian values? The labels that are used to define those who hold tight to their Christian faith such as this: ‘those people who hold on tight to their guns and bibles’? The effort to color everyone with the same broad brush to bring a sense of ‘social justice’ to everyone? Yet, who was and is the true example of ‘social justice’? Is not Jesus? Have your read the beatitudes? [Matt 5]

Have you not read the New Testament?

Why should anyone redefine what is good when good has a supernatural and superlative value demonstrated by the CREATOR of ALL THINGS? Yet, in the U.S. today, anyone speaking in specific terminology that reflects a strong adherence to Christian principles witnesses an immediate response by those who belong to the ‘one size fits all’ social justice voice redirecting the discussion to “their idea” of good which includes division, segregation, name calling, and outright denial of the worth of individuality and independence.

Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of GOD

With the myriad of addictions today need we say more?

Would it be fair to redefine ‘pleasures’? It has been redefined. Wholesome pleasures which used to be the ‘common good’ are now referred to as ‘quaint’ or ‘boring’. The act of taking your family to some beautiful vacation spot is seen as enviable but the pleasure is extended beyond the actual destination to ‘what will you be doing’ while there? Is not the time spent in a lovely place with those you love a true source of pleasure? Exploration as a family of the things the destination has to offer not pleasure enough for the family? Must it include drinking, so called recreational drugs, or adult entertainment to be pleasurable? Since when is ‘family’ in and of itself no longer a source of pleasure?

Do we seek to ‘please’ ourselves more often than we seek to please GOD? Does our sought-after pleasure become more a thing of affection than does GOD?

There are so many prophetic statements thousands of years old that are being fulfilled by the reversal of right and wrong. It is frustrating for many to see the attack upon traditional culture in this country but it should also be exciting to see prophecy become 3 dimensional. Imagine the 1 dimensional word printed on the paper some written so far back in time now a reality as it walks with those souls who have embraced what is a foreign set of values to traditional thinking.

Though the ‘beginnings of the pangs of distress’ have clearly descended on our times we are to remain circumspect: Be alert! Stand Firm! Do NOT FEAR! ENDURE! Our deliverance is getting near. 

 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” [Luke 21:28] KJV

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

©Lightwritingmatters 2015