Judgments on the Nations (Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam)

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 49:23-39

 

Genesis 12:3

I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

(ESV)

 

God promises to bless those blessing Israel and curse those cursing her (Genesis 12:3). As we live in the last days before the return of Jesus, Israel is the center of world attention with all nations having to determine whether they support Israel or her many enemies. When making this decision, nations should heed the words of Genesis 12:3 and side with Israel and not against her so they experience the blessing and not judgment and the wrath of God. Damascus, Kedar, Hazor, and Elam are examples of peoples, cities, and nations choosing not to bless Israel, instead incurring God’s judgment and wrath.

 

1)      Judgment on Damascus (Jeremiah 49:23-27) – The word of judgment against Damascus begins with Hamath and Arpad confounded having heard bad news that causes them to melt with fear and be troubled like a stormy sea (Jeremiah 49:23). Once famous Damascus has become feeble and full of panic when the people turned to flee. The city is full of anguish and sorrows like a woman in labor (Jeremiah 49:24-25). The coming judgment against Damascus will cause the young to fall in the squares and all the city destroyed. The Lord will also kindle a fire in the wall of the city that shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad (Jeremiah 49:26-27).

2)      Judgment on Kedar and Hazor (Jeremiah 49:28-33) – The next Word from the Lord given to Jeremiah concerns Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor that the king of Babylon struck down with the Lord telling the army of Babylon to advance against Kedar (Jeremiah 49:28). The tents, flocks, curtains and all the goods of Kedar shall be taken. Their camels will also be led away, and men shall cry to them “terror on every side.” (Jeremiah 49:29). The inhabitants of Hazor are instructed to flee and dwell in the depths because Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon has a battle plan against Hazor (Jeremiah 49:30). The destruction of Hazor will be complete with no man dwelling there (Jeremiah 49:31-33).

3)      Judgment on Elam (Jeremiah 49:34-39) – During the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, a Word from the Lord came to Jeremiah regarding judgment against Elam (Jeremiah 49:34). The Lord will break down the bow of Elam, the mainstay of their might and scatter them to the point that there will be no nation to which those driven out of Elam have come (Jeremiah 49:35-36). Elam will be terrified before their enemies and those seeking their lives. The Lord will bring disaster and His fierce anger against Elam sending the sword against them until they are consumed (Jeremiah 49:37). The Lord will set his throne in Elam, destroying their king and officials, but in the latter days, the Lord will restore Elam’s fortunes (Jeremiah 49:38-39).

 

 

Each city or nation listed in Jeremiah 49:23-39 has a history of mistreatment of Israel except for Elam. Damascus was where the king of Syria brought a great number of captives taken during the reign of Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:1-21). Kedar does not have much mention in scripture but in Psalm 120:5-6 are mentioned among those that hate peace. Psalm 120 is one of the psalms of ascents, sung as the Jews ascended to Jerusalem for the annual feasts to make peace with God. The mention of Kedar among those hating peace in one of the psalms of the ascents indicates possible persecution by those of Kedar against the Jews ascending to Jerusalem. Hazor was the capital of Canaan at the time Joshua took Israel into the Promised Land (Joshua 11:10-11) but appears again in Judges 4:2, indicating Israel did not completely destroy them as instructed by God (Deuteronomy 20:17). God now promises Hazor’s complete destruction (Jeremiah 49:33). While Elam has no mention in Scripture of mistreatment of Israel, Elam is mentioned among those subjected to the cup of the Lord’s wrath (Jeremiah 25:17-26), indicating they may not have supported Israel without mistreating them. This is possibly why God promises to restore Elam’s fortunes since they did not mistreat them (Jeremiah 49:39). One thing these nations have in common is subjection to the wrath of God either through mistreatment of Israel or a prophetic Word from the Lord subjecting them to wrath.

 

We live in the dispensation of grace with our salvation secured by the finished work of Jesus on the cross and not our works (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, one must accept the gift of salvation from God and not something one automatically receives (Romans 10:9-10). The fact that every person has sinned (Romans 3:23) means all people need salvation and are under the wrath of a death penalty (Romans 6:23). One living his or her life without accepting God’s gift of salvation by grace falls under condemnation (John 3:16-18) whereas one accepting God’s gift of salvation has no condemnation (Romans 8:1). If you are reading this and have never prayed to accept Jesus as your savior, I encourage you to do so by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Let God Pass Judgment, Not Us

 

By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 14:1-12

 

Romans 14:12

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

(ESV)

 

Governments have judicial systems with judges assigned to make rulings on matters concerning violations of laws enacted by the government. Like other government officials, God establishes these government positions (Romans 13:1). However, the people filling these positions are sinful individuals for all have sinned (Romans 3:23). This leads to erroneous decisions and why most judicial systems have appeals processes to review decisions. This is why God cautions against making judgments against one another in the Church, leaving that to God who has the power to rectify erroneous judgments (Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 14:4).

 

Romans 14:1-12 begins with instructions to welcome those weak in the faith and not to quarrel over opinions (Romans 14:1). Paul gives an example of one such quarrel regarding what one eats, with some believing they can eat anything and others eating only vegetables (Romans 14:2). God welcomes both those abstaining and those eating with a warning not to despise abstainers or judge those eating (Romans 14:3). The passage continues by asking the question who can pass judgment on another for a servant is subject to his or her master with one serving the Lord subject to the Lord who can make all stand (Romans 14:4).

 

The next quarrel mentioned in the passage is the quarrel of the esteeming of one day over another. Some esteem all days as alike while others esteem certain days as superior over others (Romans 14:5). The reason for Paul mentioning this quarrel is possibly a quarrel between Jews and Gentiles over honoring the Sabbath and Feasts like the Passover. Like dietary restrictions, Jewish and Gentile believers quarreled over whether Gentile believers needed to honor the Sabbath and the Jewish Feasts. If the one observing a day, eating, or abstaining does so to honor the Lord, giving thanks to the Lord, and not glorifying self, they are living for God (Romans 14:6-7). Since Christ died and rose from the dead, He is both the Lord of the living and the dead. Therefore, those living for the glory of God, whether they observe, eat, or abstain belong to the Lord (Romans 14:8-9). Therefore, we are unable to pass judgment or despise a brother because we will all stand before the judgment seat of God with every knee and every tongue confessing to God (Romans 14:10-11). We will all give an account to the ultimate judge, God Himself (Romans 14:12).

 

Believers are to welcome those weak in faith and not quarrel amongst themselves over opinions. Paul’s inclusion of this passage in his letter to the Romans indicates the Church was dealing with Jewish believers attempting to burden new Gentile believers with Jewish dietary restrictions and a requirement to observe the Sabbath and Jewish holidays. Since Salvation comes through grace and Jesus’ finished work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9), to burden Gentiles with these requirements would have been confusing. Jesus also told His believers that the world would know they follow Him by their love for one another (John 13:35). Paul knew that new Gentile believers coming into the Church, observing quarreling, and arguing that looks no different than what they see in the world around them would see little need to become believers. Placing dietary restrictions and forced observance of the Sabbath and Jewish holidays would also have proven too restrictive. Judgment is not something believers are to participate in and should leave that up to God.

 

We live in a divisive world where arguments over differing opinions are commonplace, can become heated, and even violent. Often these differing opinions are minor like issues over what to eat, or what style of music played in worship. According to this passage, what one eats has no effect on their relationship with Christ provided they are a believer and live their life glorifying God. This would also apply to music in worship with any style of music acceptable provided the lyrics give glory to God. The Church must focus on its mission of spreading the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) and not on differing opinions regarding food or music for these quarrels inhibit the fulfillment of the Church’s mission.

 

A divisive and violent world needs revival but revival cannot come from a Church quarreling over minor issues because a lost world already has this. Instead, the Church mission and focus should be on the four E’s of discipleship,

 

1)      Evangelism – Pointing the lost to a personal relationship with Christ who died for their   

sins (Romans 5:8).

2)      Equipping – Through teaching the truths contained in the Word of God (2 Timothy

3:16)

3)      Encouragement – Through fellowship with other believers in Christ to help them through the trials of life, who pray with them, and remind them that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). There is also encouragement through knowing Jesus is coming back (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).

4)      Empowerment – Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and living a Spirit-filled life (Acts 1:4-8; Romans 8).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to receive Jesus as your personal savior, I encourage you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Judgments on the Nations (Ammon and Edom)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 49:1-22

 

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.

(ESV)

 

When we think of pride, we often think of one having pride in their accomplishments such as a promotion on their job, graduating from school, or even reaching a milestone like a 50^th wedding anniversary. Pride in such accomplishments can be beneficial for it gives one a sense of accomplishment but when a haughty spirit accompanies pride, it becomes a destructive pride leading to a fall (Proverbs 16:18). Nations can also fall prey to this destructive pride, something both Ammon and Edom fell prey to.

 

The passage in Jeremiah 49:1-22 continues the series of judgments on the nations contained in the book of Jeremiah. This passage records the prophecies of judgment against Ammon and Edom. Both Ammon and Edom are part of modern-day Jordan along with Moab. While the judgments against Ammon and Edom differ, there is a common reason for God pronouncing judgment on them, pride.

 

1)      Ammon (Jeremiah 49:1-6) – The pronouncement of judgment against Ammon begins with the Lord asking why Milcom dispossessed Gad and settled in their cities (Jeremiah 49:1). The judgment pronounced against Ammon turns the tables on Ammon as Israel dispossesses those that dispossessed them, sending them into exile (Jeremiah 49:2-3). Ammon is guilty of boasting of their valleys and trusting in their treasures with a pronouncement of judgment bringing terror from the nations surrounding them (Jeremiah 49:4-5). However, the judgment does come with mercy from God with God restoring the fortunes of the Ammonites (Jeremiah 49:6).  

2)      Edom (Jeremiah 49:7-22) – The judgment against Edom begins with the Lord asking if wisdom and counsel have disappeared from Teman (Jeremiah 49:7). So devastating will be the destruction of Edom that God strips the nation bare, with any hiding places uncovered. Only the fatherless children are kept alive with the widows urged to trust in the Lord (Jeremiah 49:8-11). Since people who did not deserve to drink the cup of wrath from God must drink it, Edom has no hope of escaping the cup of God’s wrath (Jeremiah 49:12-13). The judgment from God will come at the hands of an envoy of nations God gathers to attack them (Jeremiah 49:14-15). Edom has brought horror to many nations with this creating deceptive pride in the heart of Edom offering no protection from the clefts of the rock and high places (Jeremiah 49:16). The destruction of Edom will be complete, resembling the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with the hearts of their warriors resembling a woman in her birth pains (Jeremiah 49:17-22).

 

The judgment against Ammon is due to their boasting of their valleys and trusting in their treasures (Jeremiah 49:4). For Edom it is pride in their hearts because of the horror they have inspired among the nations. They believe hiding in the clefts of the rock and holding the heights of the hill are sufficient to provide protection, but the Lord intends to bring them down from there (Jeremiah 49:16). For both nations, the problem involves pride. Ammon is prideful of their valleys and treasures and Edom is prideful of their military strength and the strength of their defenses. God’s judgment has a purpose, bringing down the pride of Ammon and Edom. However, God does extend mercy to both nations. For Ammon, it is the promise of the restoration of their wealth (Jeremiah 49:6). For Edom it is God protecting their fatherless children and widows (Jeremiah 49:11).

 

Proverbs 16:18 reminds us of the danger of pride. Just as pride led to the fall of Ammon and Edom, pride can lead to our fall. When confronting Jesus, a rich ruler asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life (Luke 18:18). Jesus answers the question with a question, asking the ruler why he says He is good since only God is good (Luke 18:19). Of course since Jesus is God, He is good, but Jesus does not enter into a theological discussion of His deity. Instead, he cites the commandments against adultery, murder, stealing, lying, and dishonoring one's parents to which the ruler tells Jesus he has kept since his youth (Luke 18:20-21). Jesus then tells him he lacks one thing, he must sell all he has and give to the poor to have treasure in heaven, to which the man turned and walked away for he was wealthy with a haughty pride about his wealth (Luke 18:22-23). The issue keeping this ruler from inheriting eternal life was his pride in his wealth and his unwillingness to trust in God by storing treasure in heaven. His heart was in his wealth and not with God (Matthew 6:21).

 

We should regularly search our hearts to determine what we treasure. If it is not God, we must surrender it to God to rid ourselves of destructive pride and place our trust in God. This begins with one surrendering his or her life to Christ, making Him their savior. If you are reading this and have not done so, please pray with me now to ask Jesus to be your Savior,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

The Law Fulfilled Through Love

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 13:8-14

 

Romans 13:8

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

(ESV)

 

We live in a world dominated by hatred and division. The 50-50 split of the United States Senate between Democrats and Republicans illustrates the political divisiveness of the nation. Racial hatred and divisiveness in the nation threaten law enforcement as officers must consider the race of criminals before confronting them out of concern any confrontation could lead to violent protests. Protesters vandalize medical facilities encouraging women not to have an abortion by giving them a choice of adoption. Businesses in the wedding industry experience legal action for failure to do business with those having same-sex weddings. Children wanting an abortion or sex change operation no longer need parental consent for these medical procedures.

 

Survival in such an evil world comes only through a personal relationship with God through Christ and living in obedience to God’s word. The problem for humanity is all have sinned which separates us from a relationship with God with people living under the death penalty for that sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23). For this reason, God sent His only Son to the world, not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:16-17). God fulfilled the law through love, sending His Son, and expects his Church to fulfill the law through genuine committed love and devotion to God and love for one another (Matthew 22:36-40).

 

Building from a foundation of submission to authorities (Romans 13:1-7), Paul urges believers to owe no one anything other than love because loving one another fulfills the law (Romans 13:8). This is because one truly loving his or her neighbor as themselves (Leviticus 19:18) will not commit adultery, murder, steal, covet or violate any of the last six commandments (Exodus 20:12-17). One truly loving his or her neighbor will do them no wrong (Romans 13:9-10).

 

In addition, the hour has come to wake from sleep for salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed (Romans 13:11). The passage then urges believers to cast off works of darkness and to put on the armor of light because the night is far gone and the day is at hand (Romans 13:12). Believers are to walk properly as if in the daytime avoiding Orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, and jealously (Romans 13:13). Instead, believers in Christ are to put on the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-17; Romans 12:2; 13:14).

 

The only debt followers of Christ are to have with one another is the debt of love because this fulfills the law (Romans 13:8). When asked by the Pharisees which commandment was the greatest, Jesus said the first commandment to love God with all your heart (Exodus 20:1-3), and to love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). The first four commandments are obeyed by one having genuine devotion to God and genuine love for God making Him Lord of their lives having no idols, not taking the Lord’s name in vain and honoring the Sabbath (Exodus 20:1-11). The remaining six commandments are obeyed when one has a genuine love for others (Exodus 20:12-17).

 

However, the love Jesus refers to is love with commitment. Love for God is not just saying I love God but requires making God supreme in one’s life. Loving our neighbors as we love ourselves is difficult in a society dominated by hatred and made even more difficult when Jesus commanded us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Jesus had a genuine relationship with His Heavenly Father who willingly obeyed His Father to the point of enduring the excruciating pain of the cross. Jesus also had a genuine love for others, even those that hung Him on the cross, praying for their forgiveness (Luke 23:34). The challenge for every believer in Christ is to follow the example of Christ and attain the same level of love for the Father and others.

Entering a relationship with God through Christ is only possible when one confesses their belief in the death burial and resurrection of Christ (Romans 10:9-10). If you have not done so, I invite you to have a personal relationship with Christ by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Judgments on the Nations (Moab)

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 48

 

Jeremiah 48:46-47

Woe to you, O Moab!
    The people of Chemosh are undone,
for your sons have been taken captive,
    and your daughters into captivity.
⁴⁷ Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab
    in the latter days, declares the Lord.”
Thus far is the judgment on Moab.

(ESV)

 

Pride is dangerous for both individuals and nations, leading to a fall (Proverbs 16:18). For Moab, destruction is the result of pridefully magnifying itself above God (Jeremiah 48:26). Jeremiah 48 is the Word of the Lord coming to Moab through Jeremiah the prophet that foretells,

 

1)      Dire destruction (Jeremiah 48:1-9) – This passage is written poetically, naming many cities within Moab. While those reading this passage today do not relate to the cities mentioned, those Jeremiah is addressing would have viewed this prophecy as total destruction upon every city with no one living in any of Moab’s cities (Jeremiah 48:8).

2)      End of Moab’s sheltered existence (Jeremiah 48:10-20) – Moab has been at ease since its youth, never going into exile (Jeremiah 48:10-11). However, this sheltered existence is coming to an end. The destroyer of Moab and his cities has come up with the choicest young men of Moab going down to slaughter (Jeremiah 48:15). The destroyer has destroyed the strongholds of Moab (Jeremiah 48:18). Instead of enjoying a sheltered existence, Moab is put to shame and broken (Jeremiah 48:20).  

3)      Judgment against Moab (Jeremiah 48:21-47) – Judgement has come against Moab because it has magnified itself against the Lord. Moab’s prideful magnification of itself above God is the contributing factor to its destruction (Jeremiah 48:26). The purpose of this judgment against Moab is to bring an end to those who offer sacrifices to Moab’s god in the high places (Jeremiah 48:35). However, God intends to show mercy to Moab with the restoration of the fortunes of Moab in the latter days (Jeremiah 48:47).

 

Because it has magnified itself against the Lord, judgment has come upon Moab. In addition to magnifying itself against the Lord, the Lord is bringing an end to Moab’s offering sacrifices and making offerings to the god of Moab. This resembles the reason for God bringing judgment and exile to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 9:13-16; 48:25-26). However, the judgment of Israel and Judah only lasts for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12) whereas the judgment against Moab will last until the latter days (Jeremiah 48:47). The lesson from this passage is the magnification of oneself or a nation against God has dire circumstances and something to avoid.

 

The Church is not immune to incurring destruction if it puts itself above God and fails to adhere to its Godly mission. In Western cultures like the United States where religious liberty has constitutional protection, the Church has enjoyed a sheltered existence but can experience judgment if it becomes lackadaisical. The Church in Laodicea suffered a loss of missional focus, with the Church caught up in its wealth and being lackadaisical in its mission from God (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Revelation 3:14-22). God closed the door to rapture for the Church of Laodicea, but there is still time for the Laodicean-like Church of today to repent and return to its missional focus. Please join me in praying for this return to missional focus for it is the beginning of a much-needed revival in our world.

 

If you are reading this and have never made the decision to accept Jesus as your savior or if you have drifted away from the Lord, I encourage you to pray with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage those that just prayed to attend a Church service near them this week and to make your profession of faith public. If you are unable to do so, you can also make your profession public by replying to this post. Romans 10:9-10 instructs believers to make a public profession of faith and why this profession is crucial. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Subjection to Authorities

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 13:1-7

 

Romans 13:1-2

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. ² Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 

(ESV)

 

Even a casual browse of news headlines reveals the fact we live in a corrupt world. This is not surprising to Christians who study the Word of God and know the corruption in the world is due to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-24). The good news for humanity is that Jesus, God’s Son, came to the world to die for the sins of humanity (Romans 5:8). All humanity is born into sin and needs to confess Jesus as their Lord to receive salvation from their sins, including those in leadership. Romans 13:1-7 tells us to be subject to authority that may be corrupt or make ungodly decisions. This post attempts to rectify the contradiction Christians face of speaking out against sin while remaining in subjection to sinful leaders.

 

The passage in Romans 13:1-7 begins with the statement that every person should be subject to governing authorities because they are instituted by God (Romans 13:1). The passage then comes to a logical conclusion that whoever resists authorities instituted by God is resisting something God has appointed and will incur judgment (Romans 13:2). Rulers are instituted to be a terror to bad behavior and not to good. Those doing good do not need to fear authority, receiving their approval (Romans 13:3). Those doing wrong, however, have reason to fear for God-instituted leaders carry the sword of judgment and not in vain. God-instituted leaders are avengers, carrying out wrath on wrongdoers (Romans 13:4). Subjection to God-instituted leadership should occur not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience (Romans 13:5). Citizens pay taxes to fund God instituted leaders as ministers of God protecting those doing good by administering God’s wrath on wrongdoers (Romans 13:6-7).

 

Romans 13:1-7 is a call for God’s people to live in subjection to authority but, when those in authority lead corruptly or incompetently, placing citizens in danger, living in subjection is difficult. Christians in Rome, surrendering their lives to serve Jesus as king, violated the Roman rule requiring total submission to Caesar as king, placing them in danger. Paul’s call to live in subjection to those placing them in danger seems to appear that Paul is asking them to endanger their lives. However, when one realizes the fate of corrupt leaders is eternal punishment as opposed to a believer inheriting eternal life (John 3:16), it is possible to live in subjection to authority while making intercession for these leaders that they will come to Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:1-3). Jesus told us that persecution would come to those following Him but also reminds us that He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

 

Like Christians in Rome, Christians today live under subjection to leaders who may not lead with Godly principles. The call in this passage to live in subjection to authorities that may be ungodly seems to contradict the call of disciples of Christ to spread the Gospel, which includes speaking out against sin for all have sinned (Romans 3:23). An ungodly leader having a corrupt view of what is good or bad will rule from this corrupt view, resulting in the persecution of Christians, viewing them as doers of bad. However, making prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving for those in authority pleases God (1 Thessalonians 2:1-3). Christians should, therefore, be subject to God’s arrangement and pray for these leaders knowing that persecution will occur, but that Jesus has overcome the world and its corruption.

 

Abortion and gay marriage are two issues Christians should speak out against, bringing persecution as they do. The question one must ask is if one is living in subjection to authority if one dares to speak out. The answer is yes if they speak out without bringing harm to those supporting these issues in subjection to laws against murder and assault. The United States Constitution grants Christians the right to free speech and freedom of religion so speaking out against abortion and gay marriage does not constitute one living outside of subjection to authority. Therefore, as followers of Christ, we should speak out against ungodliness but do it with love and not hatred of those living ungodly lives.

 

If you have not prayed to accept Jesus as your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.