Big Brother and the Christian

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, read the caption of a large poster that Winston passed by. Another poster read the same. Then another, and another. Cameras made it possible for the state's supreme leader, affectionately called "Big Brother," to watch nearly everything everyone did. Privacy? I wouldn't be surprised if the word was outlawed in George Orwell's created world.

Today as I stood before my three large and sturdy bookshelves, trying to locate my copy of 1984, I wondered if I was looking in the wrong section. That perhaps it had somehow migrated on its own to the non-fiction section. I knew this to be impossible, but I am inclined to return it to join my other non-fiction works once through with it.

My beautiful looking wife was the one who first informed me about the breaking story of Edward Snowden leaking information about the NSA's spying on private citizens. We were vacationing in San Diego, and either it is built into my natural disposition to doubt this kind of information when reported in the news media, knowing how they like to exaggerate about everything, or I was far too relaxed from the effects of the Gas-Lamp district. You can imagine how disturbing the news became to me, and undoubtedly to the reader, as more and more information was becoming known.

Commonly, I have heard from many fellow citizens, "I thought the government was already doing this," and carried on as if they had just told me about the bland breakfast they had that morning. Where has the passion that was once here during the time of the Enlightenment, the same zeal that pounded upon the will of every founder of our great nation? It seems to have diminished to such an extent that I have to look far and wide to find any. It is as if the every day Joe doesn't want to connect the dots: once the government unnecessarily watches and hears everything we do, our protected rights will not longer be protected.

Revelations such as these wouldn't trouble me near as much except for the fact that Christians are hastening down the same path as the world but in the opposite direction. We now stand in opposition to the culture and the government on a great many things: homosexuality (and all that it entails), abortion, euthanasia, sex education, evolution, religious expression in public life and in our schools, governmental fiscal responsibility, engaging only in just wars, ... among other things.

All it will take is for the government to begin criminalizing opposition to their views on any one of the aforesaid matters of contention, and Christians will immediately begin to feel the blunt force of the most powerful nation on earth. I hope I'm not coming across as conspiratorial, mind you, but I see this as a natural furtherance of their cause.

Pause you, reader - consider Winston's "Big Brother," and whether his all-intrusive government claimed to peruse every moment of every individual to punish them? Did they not claim and believe that it was for the good of the society at large? How did they handle any opposition, even he who kept to himself and posed no meaningful threat? Why, they forced submission. It wasn't enough for Winston to go through the motions. No. His thinking was required to change.

Now reader, Winston's world is fiction. But Hitler's Germany, Stalin's Russia, Mussolini's Italy, China's Communist Party, and any number of Islamic states ruled by Sharia Law are not fiction. What I am aiming at is this: when a government has absolute power over her citizens, this is usually accompanied by an utter loss of freedom.

Looking back on my childhood I distinctly remember my parents instilling in me, however subtly and yet all-encompassingly, the love of God and country. Today it saddens me to see the state our nation has chosen to reside in, and it is becoming increasingly clear that I may one day be forced to choose my allegiance between these two loves. My friends, if this choice is ever put to us, there can only be one answer for the Christian: the triune Lord of the Bible. Oh it may be wholly against the grain to not acknowledge what Big Brother demands of us, but we cannot falter our witness in any way. Our love of the gospel of Jesus Christ will forever trump our love of any government.

Lest we begin to naively believe that this would be the first time God's people have encountered oppression by the culture or a governmental power, the Scriptures record examples for our benefit. Remember the Apostles once they were captured and brought before the Jewish leaders: "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Remember also the author of Hebrews, writing to encourage those Jewish Christians that there really is nothing to go back to. He writes of the many victors of the faith down through the ages, and in chapter 12 says: 

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews, 12:1-3, NASB).

Let us not pretend that I know any certain thing about the future, for that is solely God's domain. So whether we will endure persecution, whether we are able to find favor amidst an oppressive government, or if God's common grace is extended to our land to repent us from the direction we are headed, I do know one thing: the Judge of all the earth does what is right.

Thanks for reading,
rustypth

Such were some of you

Do you feel it? ... The pressure? I sure do, and it is steadily increasing. On the news, in my twitterfeed, and at the workplace. Everywhere I turn I see and hear discussion about the promotion of homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Can I be honest about something: I'm a Christian man and I don't particularly enjoy talking about this subject.

But you know what? It is being crammed down our throats, and there is no way to avoid this issue. I wish that we could; I wish there was a way to not focus on this. But as Christians we should "always [be] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15b, NASB).

Therefore, if we want to be honest and engage the people around us with the gospel then this issue is bound to come up. The issue is partially about homosexuality, to be sure, but it goes deeper than that. Our message is one of hope for a lost and wicked generation: Christ came to save sinners and has accomplished His purpose on the cross of Calvary. Going beyond the brunt issue of sexual preferences, the underlying issue is the rulership of God over the lives of humanity. 

You see, God is the Creator of heaven and earth and He has the sole right to determine what is right and what is wrong. We shouldn't deny that homosexuals have same-sex attraction. In fact, the Bible acknowledges this. However, simply because one has a desire to do something does not mean it is morally good. For example, the thief has a desire to steal from others and this is declared as sinful in Scripture. Even though stealing might bring temporary happiness to the thieving person, it can only bring negative consequences. It harms others and himself in the long run. The same is true of homosexuality.

Paul, describing the church at Corinth, says: "Such were some of you..." (Emphasis MINE). This begs the question: what were they? He explains just prior to saying this, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." Corinth was a wicked city, full of wicked people. In God's free grace, He delivered many Corinthians from the consequences of their sins. Praise be to God that He did not just declare them not guilty of their iniquities! No; He then saved them from themselves and their sinful lifestyles! Notice: "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."

What we have to proclaim to our fellow citizens is a message that everyone needs to hear: God is just and holy, and we are not. He gave us laws to obey, and we have broken them every day of our lives. Because of this we deserve to die, face His judgment, and be cast into Hell to pay for our crimes for all eternity. But God sent His one, unique Son - God in human flesh - to live the perfect life we could not, and die on the cross in the place of His people. We are commanded to turn from our wicked ways and trust in Christ to save us from our sins. We must count the cost, because Jesus requires the utter denial of ourselves in order to follow Him.

Ironically, the world doesn't have a problem with Jesus or with Christians, until we arrive at this point: repentance. Jesus preached it; He requires it of all people everywhere because there is a final Day of Judgment coming where we will all stand before His judgment seat.

Did Jesus shy away from this issue? Surely he must have known how unpopular it sounds to the culture (then and now)! 

Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-3, NASB). 

Faced with 2 difficult scenarios, Jesus was asked whether the murder of innocents by Pilate, or the tragedy of a tower collapsing and killing people, meant that those people were greater sinners than the rest. The Lord put things in perspective for those asking and simply said this: "...unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." This is our message - the wrath of God abides on you. Therefore, turn from your sins, towards Christ, trusting Him to save you.

I say all of this, knowing Christ's message is a hard message. Even the disciples were frustrated about Christ's message: "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?" (John 6:60, NASB).  Here was Jesus' response to the disciples: 

But Jesus, conscious that His disciples grumbled at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? What then if you see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” (John 6:61-65, NASB).

The Lord of all things, however, knew what he was doing - He still knows what he is doing. Rather than appealing to worldly wisdom to persuade the culture, Christ preached a message of repentance and faith in himself. This is our message to proclaim today.

Even though many who call themselves Christians keel over at the first sign of pressure from the world, we cannot do this. We can either be friends with the world or with God. My pastor said it best recently: 

"The only power the world has over you is what you give to it by loving the things in the world." 

Amen!

We need to be a people concerned about God's truth found in His inspired Word. We need to live lives consistent with the message we claim to believe in. We need to speak to our friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances about the gospel of Jesus Christ, all in humility and love. May we not shy away from the opportunities Christ has given us, especially while we have freedom to do so.

I will leave you with this, one of my favorite texts of Scripture: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58, NASB). 


Thanks for reading,
Rusty

Strangers and Exiles on the Earth

I love going to a church where multiple times a year a sermon has the potential to become my new favorite. The Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church has been that kind of church since I began attending nearly 10 years ago. Today's sermon by my Elder James was one of these sermons that will rival for a place amongst my other top favorites. Today's topic: Hebrews 11, and Abraham's faith:

⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Hebrews 11:8-10, NASB).

The letter to the Hebrew Christians was meant to encourage those former Jewish believers to remain steadfast in their faith, and that there was nothing to go back to. You see, Jesus Christ had come to fulfill the promises given long ago; one of those promises was given to Abraham - that through Abraham all the nations would be blessed.

How strange it must have seemed to Abraham to receive this kind of promise, but even more than this the seemingly unclear way in which the Lord chose to lead him. He gave Abraham a command to go to a place he was unfamiliar with ... in fact, he didn't know where he was going! This might seem like a subtle point, but Abraham had an implicit trust in God and His commands. He didn't question God's wisdom, or make up a bunch of excuses to put off what he knew good and well what was demanded of him.

Hebrews chapter 11 is known well as the great Hall of Faith chapter because it serves as a reminder of the great cloud of witnesses that had come before who possessed saving faith. Although implicit and unquestioning trust is one part of faith, there is another vital element: obedience. Notice that when Abraham was called he obeyed God's command.

Remember the words of our Lord, "...unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3b, NASB). The true gospel of Christ includes repentance, a turning from sin and all desires contrary to what He commands. Now, I am not at all denying that we are justified by grace alone through faith alone, but just that a true faith is never alone, and is accompanied by obedience to God. It is this message of repenting from sin unto faith in Christ that our world needs to hear.

Something else was brought out about Abraham's faith that I never considered: he was patient. The author of this epistle goes on to say:

^"13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵ And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them" (Hebrews 11:13-16, NASB).

I don't know about you, but without all of the clear revelation we have now, it would have been hard for me to obey God the way Abraham did. He was told he would have descendants as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and yet at one point, he was told to sacrifice his son! He had faith that God's promises would come to pass ... even though he never lived to see the fulfillment of these promises.

He saw the promises from a distance, and confessed he was a stranger and exile on the earth. He was looking for a heavenly city, and not an earthly city. Do you embrace that? Do you have the patience to know the promises of God even if you don't experience their fulfillment in your lifetime? These are some of the questions that the Holy Spirit used to convict me this morning.

Looking at our culture today, it is easy for me to believe that I am a stranger and an exile living in a foreign land. I don't belong here. I long for the heavenly city that is our promised future hope. But that day has not yet come ... and we need to be patient until the Day of the Lord arrives. May we be found faithful witnesses, so as to be not ashamed at Christ's coming.

Time to Face the Music

Last night was one of the more solemn nights that I can remember in a long long time. I'm sure many of you felt the same as I did with the announcement of President Obama's victory. Flipping through various cable news networks, I realized it was official once FoxNews made their announcement. Long after my lovely wife went to bed I sat there watching the news in disbelief. I just couldn't wrap my head around how the incumbent President would be re-elected with the economy the way it is, or with unprecedented Presidential support for wickedness. Today I woke up and filled my morning with more news programs trying to understand why this happened.

Political commentators are stunned; Democrats reveling in their victory; Republicans fumbling over themselves as they try to salvage the party for four years from now. This morning I was thankful more than most days that I have re-calibrated my Twitter feed to include primarily Christian news and apologetics resources. Amidst the barrage of groanings and complaints, Frank Turk posted a letter from Reformed Baptist pastor, Tom Chantry. His article expressed exactly what I was feeling, and I can endorse it 100%. Please read it when you have time - I guarantee it will be an encouragement to you and very worthwhile.

Chantry resonated with me, especially near the end where he says:

Policies can address political circumstances, but they cannot address the fundamental weaknesses of the American soul. Where we stand today is not so radically different from where we stood in, say, 1980. We don’t need another Reagan; we need the Holy Spirit. If men are to turn from their sin and discover the wisdom that comes from serving God, they do not need better government, but the message which has been entrusted to the church. (Emphasis MINE).

For a variety of reasons, I am still a registered Republican (though significantly more conservative than my Party's official views). It is astonishing to hear about the two paths being discussed for our party's future. First, that we need an even more moderate and/or left-leaning candidate that is more "in-touch" with the American people. Or second, we need to have a true conservative run for office. While my gut is to agree with the latter, I took a step back and considered what Tom Chantry said: "We don't need another Reagan; we need the Holy Spirit."

Our nation has voted twice for increased taxes, unwise spending, the promotion of homosexuality and abortion. The election of President Obama was a wicked decision on behalf of our fellow citizens, there are no two ways about it. The America I grew up believing in doesn't exist today (and perhaps didn't truly exist in the form I thought it did while I was a child either). Christian morality has been utterly abandoned and it is time for us to accept that. I don't think I understood that until this morning. Until today, I had hope that my fellow citizens, when presented with clear evidence and facts would be able to make common sense decisions.

But as the Apostle Paul in the Scriptures writes:

²⁸ And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, ²⁹ being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, ³⁰ slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, ³¹ without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; ³² and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32, NASB; Bold MINE).

This national election was a demonstration of the judgment of God upon our nation. This is the only explanation for why our fellow Americans would have made the decision that they did. Even "common sense" to make decisions is a gift from God, one that He appears to have withheld at this time. I hear Christians talking a lot about how we are a small minority in our society, but I'm not sure we fully grasp how small a minority we are. I know of only two Christians at the workplace, and looking over some of the demographics and polling data from yesterday's election - it seems true Christianity in America is a lot smaller than we think.

I began to think about what all this means for me as a Christian in this kind of society. It seems reasonable that in the not too distant future, Christians will face forms of persecution probably in the form of financial discomfort - and we need to be ready to face that. Christ Himself said that we ought to count the cost of discipleship. But apart from any potential hardship, we have an abundance of opportunities to proclaim the gospel. My prayer today has been that I might be like Paul who was "eager" to preach the gospel to those in Rome. Where did the Apostle's confidence come from? He says, "¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16, NASB). 

There are changes I need to make in my life. I need to take my faith more seriously. I need to consider what it means to count the cost of being one of Jesus' disciples. I need to be more bold in my witness for the one true and living God. I need to not be ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, no matter their background.


As always, thanks for reading,

Rusty