We are in a great cultural war. The battle between good and evil has been part of the human experience since Adam and Eve. As Christians we are called on to love God, love each other and reject sin and evil “in all its forms”. As we reject the many evils that confront us, we should always acknowledge our own individual sin. We should acknowledge the great truth that there is no sin greater than God’s mercy and forgiveness. These thoughts should proceed any condemnation of sin as we extend our own love to those around us. We should never condemn the sin we perceive in others, without acknowledging our own sin. “We should love the sinner and hate the sin”. We should remember Jesus words as he approached the prostitute in the square “He amongst you who is without sin may cast the first stone”
The pastor in Boise who made the controversial statements that are now being condemned by a secularist media, would have been well advised to preface his words as he spoke from the pulpit with words of love and tolerance (not acceptance which is different) Maybe he did-I don’t know. If he did there would be a very different narrative behind his words. As we proceed in this cultural war against evil, words of God’s love and mercy, should proceed warnings of His holding all of us accountable. From a Christian perspective I believe the “holes in our hearts” that can only be filled with God are being filled with tools of the devil. Drug addiction, adultery, pornography, abortion, pedophilia, homosexuality in all its forms, are all attempts by people to fill the emptiness in their hearts with false gods. For church leaders not to be in the forefront of this battle is a tragedy. It is disappointing. It is in my humble opinion and with all due respect COWARDLY.
The number and rate of U.S. abortions increased between 2017 and 2020 after a 30-year decline, according to a new report from the Guttmacher Institute.
More than 930,000 abortions took place in the U.S. in 2020, up 8% from 862,000 abortions in 2017. About 1 in 5 pregnancies ended in abortion in 2020, the report said.
The Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights, said the trend shows a rising need for abortion care as the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision in coming weeks. Can we hear the enemy speaking?
In New York City over 50% of pregnancies in Black women result in an abortion. For whites and Hispanics and other ethnic groups it is far less. Where are the cries of “equity and inequality—or genocide?” This is a great evil. It also points out the great cultural philosophical divide in our society. It is not a divide between Republicans and Democrats, it is not a demographic divide—race, ethnicity, or gender. It is a divide between those who believe in God and His vision for us and His rules and those who don’t. It is a divide between believers and non-believers.
“I knew you before you were in your mother’s womb” Jeremiah 1:5.
It is a divide between people who look at motherhood as being a burden and those who look at motherhood as being God’s greatest gift. When Mary said “yes”, she changed the world. No Mary—No Jesus. It is easy to understand the thinking of a person who is unable to fathom the miracle of Jesus, when they consider pregnancy at best a duty instead of a gift, and a burden instead of a blessing.
“The difference is that her attention turned toward the child (not to herself), who was Jesus. When Mary said “yes,” she welcomed God into the content of her already given life.
So, it is with our lives. When we say “yes,” God is most often inviting us to what is already within our capacity—inviting us to see our ordinary roles as sacred. Like Mary, can we accept the deepening of the lives that we have already been given? Can we say “yes” and let life be sacred?” Words not written by me but by a mother of four children. Words that should be contemplated and prayed over by every new parent.
If life is sacred then it is sacred not because of us—we are not our own God, but because it comes from God. Life and “free will” are God’s great gifts. Everything thing else we possess—talents, property, the life of a newborn child we hold in trust. When we reject the responsibilities that have been given to us, we leave an emptiness in our hearts that is open to evil and the devils tools. Guilt is a terrible burden and a weapon. We need to engage in this cultural battle on all fronts. In our homes, churches, educational institutions, and in our politics. We need to engage the enemy with love and forgiveness in our heart. With tolerance but not acceptance. For them to demand the latter gives us even more of a reason to fight.
