Live Godly Lives!

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV).

Though there are many unbelievers and naysayers about the foundational beliefs of this country, those of us who know God’s Word, know the Constitution of the United States paraphrases the very Word of God with the intent to provide order and justice so all can live in peace and harmony.

And though founding fathers supported the practice of slavery [as used by the sinners to influence how Black Americans think], they did so out of ignorance of the inhumanities that would be employed by other human beings and to support an economy of free labor. I do not support the practice of slavery of any kind, but I do understand that people are enslaved–and not just by other people–but carnal desires–sex, drugs, and greed.

Although America is supposedly the “land of the free” where liberty and justice can be found for all, that does not appear to be the case for Believers--who understand our foundational beginnings and uphold the Word of God as a blueprint for living–establishing order and peace for all. Believers everywhere are now–the “foreigners” in the land even though it was because of a desire to worship God–separate from government control–that led to the establishment of this country.

But we should not think our beliefs are as foreign as those who were responsible for “taking over” the land from the Native (those born here originally) Americans. We changed their names and stripped them of their dignity, forcing them to comply with our traditions because we were afraid of theirs--and restricted where they could live–all so we could make ourselves look better than them.

That same spirit–that “take over mentality” now exists in the mindsets of gay-advocate groups all over the land. They are determined to take-over and vilify every Believer who dares to speak out against sin. It is a plot of the enemy to destroy mankind and they who have been influenced, don’t even see it.

So, in the sense that Believers “appear” to be losing ground in the face of enemy’s agenda, we are admonished in the Word, to live Godly lives in the presence of the unbelieving, so that our good deeds are seen. In other words, we are to live as God wants us to live–in spite of the turmoil and chaos that has infected the land–from those who have been bitten with the venom of sin to those in the Supreme Court who have allowed the poison to infect their judgment–creating confusion in the masses and we know–God is not the author of confusion so that leaves only one spiritual force who is–Satan.

We know that the chaos, confusion, and turmoil in the earth is caused by Satan because those who are influenced by him, deny the existence of any spiritual forces. If people deny Satan’s existence, they can easily convince themselves that God–who is Spirit and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth–doesn’t exist either.

But we who know–that spiritual forces do exist in the atmosphere, should be mindful that we are submitted to Holy Spirit and will give the demonic spirits no place in our lives. As ambassadors for Jesus Christ, we must say what He says and represent all that He is in our own conduct. We do not have to resort to name-calling, using profanity, or any other method of ridicule as those who follow Satan do, to live the life that God wants us to live.

Indeed, our response to the negativity shown towards us should simply be to promote the Gospel, share God’s love and keep it moving. And while we are promoting the Gospel for the sake of those who have not acknowledged Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, we should also support those who are willing to stand firm in their beliefs and faith in God. There are many more Kim Davises in the world–and they should all have our prayers and support in their endeavor to live Godly lives, no matter how many fiery darts the enemy launches against them. Live to please God and not man and receive God’s reward of eternal life with Him.

Advertisement

Fear Leads to Hate!

There’s a reason why God didn’t give us a spirit of fear–He know that when we become fearful–we develop hate for that which we hate and that includes–people–for any reason.

I just listened to a very interesting message from Jesse Duplantis on the background of black folks and the song, “Amazing Grace” in which some–had very negative comments to make. Jesse was commending the ability of black people to sing in the midst of all the horrible things that were done to them and the tragedy that befalls many black people today because of “hatred within the race” and violence perpetuated against them.

This is my response to those who think that “the white man” is the problem black people have to overcome. We must overcome our tendency to fear and hate people for no reason other than–they are different.

The “white man” is not the only race or group of people who have been influenced by Satan and his attempt to rid the earth of all mankind.

Some black folks think that it was the “white man’s” greed that started slavery. That’s because they either do not read or cannot read. Slavery was a way of life in Africa, but the slaves were treated more like family than like animals. Their worth was appreciated by those who kept them–fed, and from harm. But the reality is–it was the Africans who sold out those who captured and into a different kind of slavery and then the same ones who thought they were profiting from the sale, also found themselves in captivity.

Some black folks think that the black race is the only race that was ever mistreated–in this country. Historically, we know that the human race began on the continent of Africa and no matter what the actual skin color was–people were not “white” as we know white and could not have been because of the climate of that region. So whether they were “black” or brown or red or yellow–makes no difference–people who were different and are different–from those in positions of power have always been treated badly.

Every tribe of mankind has contributed to mistreatment of others in one way or another. Beheading people is not new–it is ancient form for execution. Raping innocent women and children–nothing new. Lynching people and burning them, tarring and feathering, drowning, crucifying them–nothing new. It has all been done before–to the Jews, the Gentiles, Africans, Native Americans, Black Folks and White Folks, women, children, men, and boys, of every ethnic group–and since we seldom learn from History, we are going to repeat the atrocities committed against those who had no real standing in society, but they were feared because they were different. Fear of them,led people to hate them and for those who were already in positions of power–their fear was not only unfounded, but ludicrous.

Why should anyone fear others when the “others” have no real power?  Satan speaks a word of encouragement to fear–to the hearts of those who are fence-straddlers and easy to influence and then it is game on–he who fears the most, commits the most heinous crimes against those he fears.

We know that fear is a tool of the enemy because God is love and love casts out fear. Remember that one?

If you’re reading this and you’re black, you may resent the implication–the use of the bible that some now say is the “white man’s bible” and black people were told a lie about God all along–especially Jesus. This is why we had a radical movement that promoted a “black Jesus” over a white one. How did that happen? A few radicals went to college and got a little bit of education and decided that everything they had been taught by God was a lie. They ridiculed their mothers and grandmothers, and fathers, and grandfathers for believing a lie and after all–they had to know more than those who were not allowed to read or learn in higher education–they had been to college.

Well, to those who think they know it all, let me give you a clue. You could read every book ever written in every language ever known and still not know it all. The source of all knowledge has escaped you because you’re relying upon your own ability to comprehend what you read, but really do not understand. True wisdom comes from God and understanding His Wisdom only comes with relationship with Him–not books or hatred or fear.

I was not alive when Jesus walked the earth and it really doesn’t matter because no one reading this was either. I’m not going to get into any foolish debate about His race, skin color or anything else because it matters not. What matters is that when He hung on that cross, His blood was shed for me and that settles the matter–for me.

We should all be more concerned with saving the human race than in promoting hatred and fear because in my limited tenure here on earth I’ve discovered a few things: We all bleed when we’re cut open, we all hurt when we lose a loved one, and one day–we will die. While we’re living–we all–every race, ethnicity, nationality–whatever–have stupid, ignorant, vile, hateful people living among us and that is their choice. We do not have to cave to their stupidity and in fact, we should be empowered by their stupidity to really show them the love of Jesus that resides within those of us who know Him.

I know it’s been said before, by many and I will say it again and I know, someone else will say it as well–LET’S GET OVER OURSELVES AND STOP HATING ONE ANOTHER, LYING UPON ONE ANOTHER, AND LIVING IN FEAR OF ONE ANOTHER! We all belong to “one race” no matter what our skin color is and that is–the greatest creation God ever created–His Pride and Joy–the Human Race.

Now, can we stop making Him regret He ever decided to create us and all of our monstrous behaviors towards one another? God is love and He can do nothing but love us–and shake His head in sorrow while He watches us–destroy ourselves out of fear and hate!