Thursday, September 20, 2012

My vote and a bit more

     Thus far I personally have logged eleven reasons why not to vote for Obama on my Twitter page.  I think that list will grow.  It's not that I don't like him personally.  I don't think I'll ever get to know him on a personal basis to make that judgment call.  If I ever get a chance to meet him, I would love to spend a few moments to show him from the Bible how he can know that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for his sins, and how he can have a home in heaven when he dies.  In fact, I would really be delighted at that.  It would be my pleasure.  But I don't like his record as President, nor the Democratic platform (which took God out only to insert Him in later after a sassy and pretentious parliamentary vote).

     First, I would like my readers to know that I am not against government.  All human governments, even the worse kind, is ordained of God according to Romans 13:1.  Let's not forget that Paul submitted himself to a government that cut off his own head.  What we don't want to imply is that all human government is approved by God.  The best government on this world is that which is Christian (but that will have to be for another post).  And so here we are in post-post modern America.  Many things have change.  People's behavior or culture have been influenced by many factors like technology so much so that it is amazing to live in a time between two seemingly different worlds (one prior to the internet/computer age and the other, well, you get it).  There are gains and losses, too (and you know what's coming...that will have to be for another post).  Truthfully, with all the changes that could possibly take place certain "things" are not subject to change, I can think of a couple, God and His Word.  I want to focus on His Word and how the Holy Bible is going to influence my vote this coming Nov.

     I realize that this particular reason isn't even on the blip screen of what so many believe to be the no.1 issue of this election (i.e. the economy or to put it down on the lower shelf - jobs - a three letter word according to Biden - but that will have to be for another post).  My contention, at least on this post, is that abortion on demand and partial birth abortion and abortion period is a huge reason for not voting for politicians like Obama and others regardless of party affiliation who do not have enough conscience to protect some of the most helpless of human life, the unborn.

Consider how involved God is in the creation of human life:

"Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?" (Job 31:15)

"For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  (14)  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Ps. 139:13-14).

"Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (5)  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." (Jer. 1:4-5).

But there's more:  Job 10:8-13; Ps. 51:5; 127:3; 139:16; Isa. 49:1,5.

Consider what God says about the killing (or murder) of human life:

"Thou shalt not kill" (Exo. 20:13).

"If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.  (23)  And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,  (24)  Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,  (25)  Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." (Exo. 21:22-25).

     I don't think I have even scratched the surface on a Biblical consideration about abortion (not to mention Bible characters that would mirror abortive practices, i.e. Pharaoh in Exo. 1:22, Harod in Matt. 2:16, and Satan in Rev. 12:4 even if it is figurative).  But one thing I will leave you with for now is that if you regard the human life inside a womb as merely nothing more than a fetus, then you and everybody else is an over grown one.  So yes, this issue isn't the most pressing concern in our advance day and age, but then if we start looking at God's Word, esteeming it as God's Word, and recognize the value of human life, I'll guarantee you we can start solving fundamental societal problems.  The root of every political and social problem is a spiritual problem, and the answers are beyond us, but never beyond God.

     For the many women and men affected by the consequences of abortion, please know that there is forgiveness and mercy and grace for your sin.  If you truly repent of sin and trust in Christ as your Savior, then you can have the peace through forgiveness and the power of having a true walk with God.

    Needless to say, I will not be voting for Obama.  I have no choice but to vote for Romney.  I am not pleased to say the least that he isn't solid on the issue of abortion (thankfully, Ryan is stronger, but also not as strong on it as I am).  I do believe that if we desire to keep whatever similitude of liberty we have left, that this election must be a win for the GOP, at least for now.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Gen. 35:1-5 Jacob returns to Bethel

1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
5 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

     Jacob was probably glad to hear God’s instruction to move back to Bethel (meaning "house of God"), after the terrible experience of folly in Shechem.   Bethel is a place of return and re-dedication.  God wanted Jacob to build an altar as an act of worship and sacrifice.  Bethel was a place of rest and revelation.  It was there Jacob escaped his brother’s wrath and was visited by God in Gen. 28:10-22.  The return to Bethel must be accompanied with a purity of worship.  Idols must be gotten rid of, wrong customs and culture, including clothing must go.  God desires for his children to return to him in sincerity and purity.  If returning to God involves a change of wardrobes, or culture, then He is worthy of all of that, and nothing is off limits with God.  No doubt the surrounding Canaanite territories were afraid because of the horrible event that occurred in Shechem by Jacob’s sons.  But God has a way of working through the troublesome situations to use it for His good pleasure and in this case the protection of His people.  Fathers should ever be careful to watch over their families to make sure they aren’t retaining idols and false worship practices which can be learned from the ungodly cultures surrounding them.  Fathers should take great care to lead the family in serving and worshiping God.  In our dispensation, no doubt, the house of God refers to the church (1 Tim. 3:15).  The church is where we hear God's word preached to us (which is the N.T. ordained way of receiving Biblical instructions).  The church is a place of return, rest, re-dedication and Bible instructions.  May we as fathers (heads of homes) be ever so careful to allow the church culture to influence our homes rather than the worldly cultures.  As we strive to please God, He will bless us with His divine hand of protection.  May we learn to trust Him more and more.