Great to hear from you. I certainly don’t take any offense. If we as the body can’t have open discussion then we are in serious trouble.

Regarding the book, the title is pretty indicative of the content, but it is not a book written to slam America. It really is written from the perspective of stressing the nature of Christ, and thus the nature of the Kingdom, and how NO nation, no matter how “Godly”, can be the fulfillment of the kingdom of God on earth. He does touch on aspects of American history that are specifically anti-Christian in nature, like our treatment of Native Americans, slaves, etc. I will not do the book justice without writing a long diatribe, and even then may not do it justice, but I would strongly recommend that every Christian read it. I have gotten a lot out of the book even if the subject matter behind the title was removed. It is really excellent.

In regards to what you shared I would concur that we are to be a “voice crying out…”. The thing I would say, however, is that what makes us different is not our moral stance before the general public, or our insistence that others live by our code of ethics. What SHOULD make us stand apart from the world is our sacrificial love for each other and the world. Of course, along with this will come the example of a people who have had the law written on their hearts, and thus their lives will be lived to a different standard than the lives of the world around them. Ultimately it is not the assurance of Godly laws that will help the lost, but rather a living, breathing example of the love of Christ, lived out on earth by His people. I have a hard time enforcing Christian values on people who aren’t even saved, because to me that is what the pharisees did.

Scripture gives no example of Jesus trying to change the political climate of the day. He never tried to change Rome, but instead said “give to Ceaser that which is Ceaser’s”. Interesting that Jesus never condemned sin in the world. He spoke a lot regarding sin amongst the Jewish people, but not concerning the world. In fact, He hung out with the sinners, and condemned the religious status quo the most. Likewise, in Paul’s writings, or in the rest of the NT for that matter, there is no mention of trying to change the political status quo. Instead we are commanded to seek the Kingdom, love our neighbors, etc. I do not feel I am loving a gay person when I fight politically against his right to be “married”. I certainly don’t agree with that choice, and would prefer that marriage be kept sacred between a man and a woman, and would even cast my vote to that effect. However, to go beyond that and vocally fight against them to me goes against the example of Christ.

Anyway, the book gives much better explanation, from a very non-inflammatory standpoint, and again I would recommend it as a good read, even if you don’t agree with everything in it.

God bless you and your family, Jimmy. I hope all is well with everyone, and thanks again for reading.

Mark

When the country is in chaos,
everybody has a plan to fix it—
But it takes a leader of real understanding
to straighten things out.

Where will this leader get “real” understanding? Only through a relationship with God. That’s why we must pray for them, but I believe its also why we must get involved. Proverbs 28:16 is another good verse. Proverbs 29 has several great passages on the subject.

I will say this… obviously we are all called to serve God and His kingdom, although I understand that we all have our “fastball”… that thing that God has specifically called us to… which can and does change through the course of our life… we go from glory to glory… I know for me, I am definately one that is to cry aloud and stand apart… I REALLY dislike text because you.can’t see the person nor can you hear the vocal tone which says so much about what the person is really saying… having said that, this is all said in love and I take no offense to anyone here and I hope it is received in like fashion. Mark, I just stumbled across this I think from facebook, and enjoyed reading the blogs… blessings to you all… jimmy

You know, I never understood that verse that way, but it makes absolute sense. Thanks for the tidbit!

Mark

Mark