Ephesians; 1:4 – The calling of the elect, part 12: The called call upon a holy God.

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Let’s step back and ask ourselves what motivates the left-wing virtuecrats attempting to enforce their new regime of political correctness. Christian theologians tell us that the visio beatifica—the beatific vision of God—is the highest pleasure known to man. Alas, that communion is granted to very few in this life. For the common run of mankind, I suspect, the highest earthly pleasure is self-righteous moral infatuation. [Imprimis: Feb 2019, Roger Kimbal]

 

It won’t be long before certain internet providers will not allow biblical messages to grace their mediums. It won’t be long before paypal will not allow its service to be used to support Bible based churches. It won’t be long before church finances are taxed. We are one or two elections away from having the progressive boulder pushed over the crest of truth to roll uncontrollably towards man’s brave new world without God.

 

However, we are not afraid of them. We only fear God, Who has blessed and forgiven us. Our only fear is breaking our homage to Him.

 

1PE 1:17 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth;

 

1PE 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,

 

1PE 1:19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

 

MAT 10:28

“And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

 

1PE 3:14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,

 

1PE 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being 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;

 

1PE 3:16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

 

1PE 3:17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

 

Our current topic: the called can call upon the Father. The blood of Christ has given us full access to the Father.

 

1PE 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us [prosagoge] to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

 

We are not afraid of the people who oppose God or their ideologies. Roger Kimbal’s Imprimis article centered upon the current trend of destroying statues and art that depict our nation’s history “by those who are eager to squeeze that complex story into a box defined by the evolving rules of political correctness.”

 

God deliver’s His own in His power and love, but we weep and pray for the rest who rush headlong into destruction, filled with self-love, and glorying in their own collective wisdom. God help them.

 

2TI 3:1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.

 

2TI 3:2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,

 

2TI 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,

 

2TI 3:4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

 

2TI 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; and avoid such men as these.

 

Difficult times: It will be hard at times. Don’t be surprised.

 

Difficult times will come: It will be hard for you and your families, but God will see you through. Remember to avoid their way, but love them, do good to them, and pray for them.

 

Lovers of self: do anything to be approved by the loud crowd.

 

Men will be lovers of self: They will do anything to be big on social media, loved and approved of by the loudest sounding groups.

 

Lovers of money: Wealth supersedes all convictions of conscience.

 

1TI 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

 

1TI 6:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,

 

1TI 6:19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

 

Lovers of money: Why is it that republicans and democrats have stopped debating real issues that affect our people and nation? Both parties have found themselves to be exceedingly rich. Instead of arguing economics, law, civics, education, regulation, jobs, etc. they have turned to arguing gender, sexual orientation, minority status, victimology, which bathroom to use, etc. They appear to be climbing a moral high ground on matters that matter to only less than one percent of the population, while they continue to accumulate wealth and power. The numbers clearly show that the middle class, the most important class in any democracy, is rapidly declining. According to the Pew Research Center in an article published by NPR, the middle class made up 60.8% of households in 1971, and in 2015 they made up 49.9%. While it is true that all classes have accumulated more stuff (almost everyone has a cell phone and a nice TV and a car) it is also true that wealth is relative. What matters in a republic such as ours is that the middle income, no matter how much money that actually means, has a great influence over the nation’s policy. As the fictional Robinson Crusoe’s father told him, don’t be rich so as to be conceited and don’t be poor so as to be in want. Be in the middle and enjoy the best of life: God, family, home, charity.