The WSJ-NORC Poll March 2023 (link: Microsoft Word – WSJ_NORC Topline March2023.docx) reveals that the vast majority of American society is godless, self-consumed, pleasure-seeking, and money-hungry. People have previously anchored themselves in God or country. Yet, today, for the majority of people, their anchor is themselves, which is no anchor at all. In the upcoming time of real trouble, which is on our doorstep, some people will scatter into their tribes. Most, however, will willingly consent to the rule of a totalitarian central Marxist/Communist government or a victorious foreign power (e.g., China, Russia). A Marxist/Communist government does not bode well for genuine Christians since Christianity is the enemy of the state.
So, what is a believer to do?
First and foremost, a believer should intensify their effort to tell the lost (inside and outside of church) about salvation through Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20). There are two secondary actions.
One secondary action is a believer (and assembly of believers) should speak out publicly against societal immorality on issues such as abortion (i.e., murder) and LGBTQ lifestyles. Note what the Ligonier State of Theology 2022 says about believers remaining silent on political matters:
The mission of the church in baptizing and making disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:18–20) is primarily spiritual, but that does not mean Christians must be silent on political issues. The Bible addresses many political issues—including capital punishment, abortion, honest measurements (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:22–25; Prov. 20:10), and many others—so believers who seek to be faithful to the Bible cannot be silent on political matters where biblical teaching applies. Moreover, Paul appealed to his political rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 16:35–39; 25:1–12), showing us that Christians may make appropriate use of whatever political rights they possess, including the right to speak to political issues.
Another secondary action is a believer ought to prepare to protect and defend their family. This has become especially relevant since there seems to be a trend suggesting (or ignoring) violence against Christians who hold to a biblical view about gender. See Arizona governor’s press secretary resigns after tweet suggesting violence against critics of trans rights | CNN Politics; White House says ‘trans community’ is ‘under attack’ after Nashville shooting | Fox News; https://nypost.com/2023/03/29/biden-jokes-he-doesnt-believe-christians-were-targeted-in-nashville-shooting-if-sen-hawley-does/; https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-says-trans-community-under-attack-nashville-shooting. Take note of these two OT verses:
Exodus 22:2 (NASB95) – 2 “If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account.
Nehemiah 4:18 (NASB95) – 18 As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me.
Possibly, Jesus made the strongest statement about self-defense in Luke 22:36–38 (NASB95):
36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. 37 “For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in Me, ‘And He was numbered with transgressors’; for that which refers to Me has its fulfillment.” 38 They said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”
As time permits, I plan to exegete Luke 22:36-38.
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION
If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth (book link at Xulon Press: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638 ). At Amazon the book link is https://www.amazon.com/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual/dp/1662828632 . I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book. The link to my website for the book is https://thesalvationmeter.com .
IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN
… please (1) read through “God’s Plan of Salvation” so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” meaning every word. If you do, you will be reconciled to God – saved – through Jesus Christ.
God’s Plan of Salvation
In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe. As a part of His creative actions, He made humans (male and female) in His image to know Him. For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve. But Adam and Eve sinned, whereby sin was passed down to all of humankind so that we became sinners separated from God. Nothing we could do on our own could bridge that separation so that without God’s intervention, hell would be our eternal destination.
Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy God provided humankind with the only means of salvation, which is through Jesus Christ who is God’s only unique Son. While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent and trust in Him for their salvation. Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice and exhausted God’s wrath against every believer. He now calls all unbelievers to repent of their sins and trust alone in what Christ did to save them.
If we repent of our sins and completely trust in Christ alone that He died for our sins and rose to life from the dead, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 26, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7-25; Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; Matthew 1:18, 20, 24-25; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2:17; 9:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30; 26:20; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.
“Sinner’s Prayer”
Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell. But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven. I now repent of my sins and completely trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation. Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You so much for saving me. I am now Yours forever!
(Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).
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