“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 5:19-20 (NKJV)
I kinda think the reason “The Evangelical Right” is up in arms this particular Election season is that it has watched the slow erosion of Christian values pick up speed. I remember hearing Latin in the Catholic church but that has changed. They say there was prayer in school but by the time I get there it was long gone. The rise of “THE MEGA-CHURCH” has people screaming that ears are only being tickled and a President-Elect used another President’s Bible to be sworn into office. Did he not have his own? Did he use it as a way to bring mockery upon a nation? One can only speculate…the truth really lies in the heart of him who took the oath. Right? And that is where we get ourselves crazy with thoughts of a government that has gone Anti-Christianity for the greater good of its people. We speculate…the end is near.
Well if you are resting your faith in that then you, Christian, are living as if you are out-gunned!! Now hear me out on this but if you have read your Bible, at least to Genesis 3, then you have read where Adam “SURRENDERED” his weapon to our adversary back in The Garden. What weapon you ask? The weapon of “OBEDIENCE” to the will of Him who created all things. Obedience as weapon? Yeah!! How many times I have seen the following verse posted on social media, “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”. (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV) Sounds like something we should obey, doesn’t it? So what’s the problem?
Well I think the problem is found in the consistency of our obedience or at the very least the maintenance of it. It’s very hard to mix rigidity with flexibility and get something that can stand but Jesus did it and wants us to do likewise but we have to do this within the context of being called sojourners and are in a place that we can’t call home. So you have to pray for Babylon/Rome/America while you live in it. As a fallen people go, living within the topsy-turvy law of the land, that most folks are doing right now, things will bubble up that aren’t of God and those people will fight among themselves to bring about their own sense of righteousness. But we, as a redeemed people go, are called to a standard that says all that matters is the righteousness of Christ Jesus.
That means we have to stay within the obedience of what was taught to us. If we outwardly live like this then those “Thou Shall Not’s” will come out when we do what “Thou Shalt Do”. When the Disciples heard this teaching of Jesus they musta thought all those “LAWS” can fall by the wayside…they were wrong. By being in communion with Jesus (who is in perfect communion with The Father) they were upholding the law. Because they were shown ἀγάπη (agápē)they themselves were to show it or you weren’t in communion with anything but the world around you. So I ask this question…On Election Day are you in communion with YHVH or a political party?
I am hoping American Christianity can see its way through this malaise that we all are living in. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” and yet it has happening in America. So you can’t fault “The Evangelical Right” (the old guard) for trying their darnedest to correct a moral compass that has gonna awry. But it’s be done with the understanding that we need to love our enemies anyway. To not do this is to not be obedient to what you’ve been called to by Christ Himself. If you need to know what making a stand looks like, then ponder on these verses from Esther…
“If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
“And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” (Esther 4:16b)
Written by ChrisHughes: Chris, a graduate of The Colony of Mercy (11-2003) is married (Kathy) with two adult children (Kevin and Karen) and has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008.
Daily Quote: You are but a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting, and suppose you can have the crown without the conflict.” —John Chrysostom (Archbishop of Constantinople 397-403 A.D.)
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding andeternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 386 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Alexander Bryazgin
19:05 02 Oct 23
Went here for my churches men’s retreat. We had a really great time, very nice looking place, rooms were renovated and very clean, and the food was great. I wish I could come here every week!
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 386 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Alexander Bryazgin
19:05 02 Oct 23
Went here for my churches men’s retreat. We had a really great time, very nice looking place, rooms were renovated and very clean, and the food was great. I wish I could come here every week!
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.