Christian Manhood

I've been thinking about manhood; Christian manhood, which is the manhood I know. I've been seriously and very imperfectly following Christ most of my adult life. And I was being dragged to church before that; before  I was launched from the nest and drifted into an unanchored young adulthood which led me into a very dry land.  When this dryness sent me searching seriously for the Truth that I sensed, on a deep level, that I needed, I found The Oasis with Living Water: Jesus Christ. So what I know, inwardly, is Christian manhood. That's what I've been thinking about. Manhood is sometimes being like a lone wolf; alone in the wilderness of human interactions. Even those we thought we knew and were trying to love (not very proficiently) became like strangers--like two lone wolves passing on a trail, feeling threatened and defensive. Sometimes we are misunderstood; sometimes we behave badly. We try to behave better, taking responsibility. And we realize that we also misunderstand others. In the lone wolf phases, we realize how men, without Christ, could become bitter, angry and hateful. A major headline in the news this day is  a massacre in a Texas church--more than 25 dead, others in critical condition--committed by a man who was apparently striking back in revenge against his ex-wife and her family. He was tired of being a lone wolf. He decided to kill some people whom, in his deluded, unenlightened mind, he believed were responsible for his unending pain, then exit this world himself. I hear near-death experiencers describe visits to hell with places for people like him. Or maybe God will know what we cannot: that he is not fit for responsibility. I trust the God who made me and all of us to know exactly how to handle him. And I know that He is Love, as my Lord has taught me. And so I am thankful that I can forgive; and be forgiven. And for the peace that that brings into my soul. So the lone wolf, no matter how far from the warmth of the pack, is always ready to serve and to lead. But his leadership is not dominating or controlling; it is servant leadership. He is not dominated by his needs or his desires. He does not react against being disrespected. He quickly gives to God, and thereby lets go of, hurt and anger before it turns to hostility. He finds his source of confidence, not in how well he is being treated by his family or life in general,  but in how well he is loving his people--those in his circle of influence. He remembers that this Love--the Love of Christ--is the main agenda. He remembers because he has, in the past, suffered the pain of forgetting--the pain of the suffering he brought to those he loves.  He hates that pain with a holy hatred that fuels, like fire, the determination to get this as right as he can possibly get it: This is about Love! He shouts it in his mind because he has seen how slippery, fickle and vain his thoughts can be; like precious energy burning out of control, not driving anything--or at least anything good.  Some of those thoughts are embarrassingly evil; something he may keep secret from everyone but God. Nothing is secret to God; and he knows it. And he knows that God is holding him accountable for whether or not he moves a little closer every day to the Love of Christ for all his people--whether he is enhancing their lives or draining them--being an agent of healing or hurt. He is actually mindful of this; he prays about it; seeks and receives the honest and compassionate feedback he gets from God through the Holy Spirit. Receives grace and forgiveness for his failures and thereby lives peacefully with a perfect God--a perfect Spirit residing within his imperfect self--cleansed from all unrighteousness--free. Free to Love.
     There is still suffering. There is always suffering in this world. We can't escape it. We can only pray to suffer rightly--for the right reasons. Not selfishly. And we pray that our suffering will have the effect that God, Who in His Love allows it, intends it to have. We realize that, no matter how profound our suffering, God is good, and good can come from it, and we can always choose how to respond. We are not victims! We suffer, along with Christ, in His Spirit, with the sufferings of our spouse, children, loved ones---the world. But we suffer in faith and hope and love. And there is a mysterious peace, like an unshakable  foundation, underneath it all.  We understand, experientially, how the same Jesus who said "My soul is sorrowful, even unto death" could say "My peace I give to you". We feel guilt and shame, fear and dread and doubt being burned away in the Consuming Fire that is drawing us into it like an eternal Light of Love, Peace and Joy. We become like a beneficent king--the king of our domain. We love all in our sphere of influence, and those outside it as well. We have good will toward all. We are joyful servants of God and man. We are not trying to control, use or impress people any more; only love them. We recognize evil; in our own sinful nature and in the world. We see how the evil prince of this world has infiltrated the minds and hearts of humankind. Our eyes are open to the realm of spirit. We fear no evil, knowing that the One who has overcome all of it is with us and in us forever. We have unshakable confidence in Him, knowing that He loves others as much as us--even those who hate Him. But, in Him, we are not manipulated by evil. We are not pawns in Satan's game, and we do not bow to those who are. We shine light into his darkness. We live in eternity with the eternal God. Our lives on this earth are directed toward sowing seeds of Truth--His Truth--the Truth of Christ. God is Love, and in Him we become Love; eternal Love, with its many faces, colors and manifestations. We are free with the only true freedom that exists. We are no longer vulnerable to what Satan can do, even through those in our own household! because we love them no matter what. We do not need them to bolster our egos or confirm our manhood by respecting us properly. We realize that our Lord was not respected properly, yet overcame in Love; and we feel His power within us, enabling us to overcome also, day by day. We accept, with a good heart, that life on earth will never be easy. And we embrace death as a transition into a glorious realm beyond human words to describe.
     Mature manhood has a deep and sincere respect and admiration for womanhood, bordering on reverence because he recognizes her to be a gift from God--literally.  A clear perception of womanhood causes a man to be thankful to God. In the creation, God said "It is not good for man to be alone. I will give him a helper." And He created a being, in His own image, who was  wired with a bent toward Love, who was more naturally inclined to give, serve, help, make sacrifices, not compete, be content in the background, nurture, etc.  Someone who could actually love a man--something that is hard for a mature man to understand, except as a gift from God--a physical manifestation of His love. And, historically, what has man done with this great gift? We have subjugated her because she was physically weaker and by nature submissive to man. We have abused her and used her for our selfish desires. We gave her the right to vote in America in 1920, after a long battle against those who thought it was "too extreme".  An interesting read:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_suffrage_in_the_United_States
It should not surprise us that such a movement as "Feminism" should arise; or that some women become lesbians, unable to trust man, let alone desire to be with him. Some reactions, however, to evil become a different kind of evil. It is as incumbent upon woman to love man, as for him to love her. God forbids us to "return evil for evil." We're all in this together. The extreme failure of one human being to love can wreak havoc and inflict much unnecessary suffering in the lives of many people. The Texas massacre is an example of this.  We must be conscious and proactive in propagating the Kingdom. Evangelism and proselytizing are labeled and stigmatized as something to deride. They are the fruit of  spiritual maturity--God's Love being offered through a brother or sister--the aroma of love and freedom wafting through the human family. Some catch a whiff, follow it, and find abundant and eternal life--move from zombie-land into the free world of the Kingdom.
If you are not in the Kingdom, you should be scared.  John Newton penned in the profound hymn, Amazing Grace, "Twas grace that taught my heart to fear." That fear is rational if you are not in the Kingdom. That fear is the voice of a loving God calling you into freedom and divine love. The only way out is to listen to that Voice. It is the voice of love--the love of Jesus Christ. If you don't know Him, you should be scared. Because it is only in Him that we find the grace which relieves all our fears ("And grace my fears relieved.") "Perfect love drives out fear." (1John 4:18). Mature men seek always to abide in this love--in Christ who lives in us.

DYING

I had scampered with the other mice-men under the canopy of the earth-forest, nose to the ground in search of the next morsel, for such a long time. The forest, once fresh and promising, had become moldy, too humid or too arid; all the paths were worn, going to places I'd been before—not much there to go for. My soul began to shrivel like a nut buried under winter snow.

Then one day it occurred to me to look up. I'd never considered the Sun shining down on top of the canopy. It dawned in me that I had not done this: I did not create myself or this magnificent earth-forest. When I looked deeply into myself and into the broad and finite details of the forest, I was penetrated by a deep humility, and in that spirit, looked up in open-hearted gratitude.

A shaft of Light shone through an opening in the canopy, and for the first time I felt that Light penetrate into my heart and begin lifting me upward above the canopy, above the forest, above the towns, countryside and cities, above all the movements, accomplishments, failures and establishments of humankind in all history. I was taken onward in this Living Light, into another transcendent realm where I began to merge with the Light in ecstatic love, peace and freedom that were perfect and yet growing. The only shadow in this Light was a certain sorrow in my heart as I looked down upon the way I'd been living under the canopy, seeing so many others still scampering down those paths that I had traveled, knowing, now, where they led.

But in this Light, even that sorrow began to fade as I was led to a Cross, and a Holy One approaching it. He invited me to come into Him, and I was drawn like a meteor by earth's gravity, glad to feel myself being burned away, like that meteor, in the atmosphere of perfect peace and love—becoming one with the Light from which emanates all light. I still felt the heaviness of my own sin—my selfishness and laziness and weakness, as I felt myself being lifted up, with Him, on the Cross. I felt the blood, and with it my sin, draining out of my body. As it drained I felt lighter and freer than ever, with this ever-growing peace. I opened myself totally to this joyful death…. into Life!

And now, I am crucified with Christ, yet I live! And the Life I now live, I live by faith in Him who loves me and gave His Life for me. (Gal. 2:20). And now my path is like the light of dawn that is shining brighter and brighter toward the full light of day. [Proverbs 4:18].  

Blind Arrogance

He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”  ... (Spoken by the blind man whom Jesus healed.)
They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.   John 9: 25,34 (The response of the blind and arrogant religious and political leaders of Jesus' day.)

There is a form of intellectual pride that despises the authority of Jesus. But it cannot refute the power of Christ to deliver, heal and set the soul free, so its only recourse is to repress Christianity with power. The enlightening story in John, Chapter 9 elucidates and exposes this prideful arrogance. And it is being demonstrated to a growing degree in American culture. This is evidenced in our Congress when potential candidates' constitutional rights are being violated by religious tests used to determine fitness of service; and, in this context, basic truths about the Christian faith are being labeled "intolerant" or "bigotry".  (Reference is made to Sen. Bernie Sanders confirmation hearing interview with Russell Vought, President Trump's nominee for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget at theatlantic.com. See also: https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/cultural-commentary/will-christians-america-face-persecution/  )


“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (Jesus, John 3:16-18)

The same Jesus who tells us that the God of this universe loves us enough to sacrifice His only Son for us, and who commands us to love each other and even to love and pray for our enemies (Mt.5:44), also tells us that those who reject Him are condemned. This is a Christian belief because Jesus stated it! We do not have the authority to change, subdue or minimize it; and any governmental entity that pressures us to do so is repressive and unconstitutional.
I emphasize that the Christian faith does not condone violence against unbelievers, and they have no need to fear it. Contrarily, it seems evident that, if the scales ever tilt in the direction of Islamic political power, sharia law will dominate, and Americans will get a taste of real intolerance, fortified by violence against "apostates and infidels". And the suppression of Christianity clears the field for this shift of power to occur. It is, therefore, suicidal, as far as democracy is concerned, to suppress the Christian faith--something our Founding Fathers were well aware of, prompting them to ascertain the free expression of religion and recognizing religion as a pillar of democracy. And the only religion they would have been referring to, evidenced in their writings, personal and public, is Christianity. Christianity, not just religion, is organic to democracy. And if that root is cut off or undernourished to the point of withering, democracy will also wither. Christianity is not intolerant. It has always and will always be a vital enhancer of freedom and quality of life when lived out according to its Founder and namesake. From this standpoint, any force that suppresses it is, at root, evil and contrary to ultimate human good.  Fear of Christianity is based on ignorance, as anyone who has a deep knowledge of Christ and His teachings can attest. Christ had, and has no interest in earthly power other than that rendered freely by His followers. He resisted being made a king. He came to deliver and give life; not to dominate and control. But those who see Him as He is, and come into His freedom, can never be made subject to the repressive powers of man's governments; which is why the Bible is excluded and Christ persecuted in every repressive nation on earth. And it is the Love of God, manifested through Christ's earthly body, that sends missionaries into these dark nations and cultures, even at the peril of their lives--to set them free! Not to dominate or control them. I state summarily, based upon a lifetime's devotion to Christ and His teachings and Spirit, and having had intimate contact with countless people who have followed Him to great avail, that anything--any power, person, corporation, governmental entity, etc.--that represses or diminishes or suppresses the sincere and bona fide following of Christ Jesus is a manifestation of evil in that it is contrary to the advancement of life, liberty and happiness in the human family that results from what Jesus called a "new birth" and "salvation". Billions of people have experienced this as an inner felt reality, to the point that they proselytized in the face of persecution; many to the point of death. Thankfully there is no man-made hammer big enough to destroy the Christian faith. All efforts only refine and strengthen it. As Jesus said, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Warrior/Prophet Spirit

In the dark times, evil flaunts itself and struts across the stages of the world, and people applaud it as a new form of freedom. “Religion is repressive!” it shouts, and it gives some bona fide examples of this half-truth that sadly turns many away from the Source of Life, which is the only legitimate goal of true religion. But the pendulum swings too far—the baby is expelled with the bath water. In the name of “progress” the door is opened for all manner of evil to infiltrate the hearts of those who are bereft of the discernment of spiritual Truth—the Truth of Christ. His Spirit, the nation's immune system, no longer protects us from hatred, greed and fear; and all that's left is the struggle for power, Satan's counterfeit for the security that permeates a life of Love and the desire for the common good.

And so I'm angry. I'm angry because I love this nation that, to me, has been like the Promised Land, flowing with milk and honey. But even here, in a nation that professes to be “under God”, we see what happens when men don't pray and live with the humility that recognizes that human wisdom is not adequate. Human wisdom births the Vietnam war. Godly wisdom births the Civil Rights movement. Human wisdom births economic collapse corroded by greed. Godly wisdom births a government with built in checks and balances to protect from the corrosion of the love of power. Fear births weapons of mass destruction. Only Godly wisdom will protect us from their ultimate, insane use. Human wisdom cannot stop violence in the streets. Godly wisdom, flowing through the loyal Christian churches on those streets, takes a stand against that violence and imparts compassion and harmony. Human wisdom sees itself as the highest intellect, neglecting the fact that it did not create itself. It claims the conscious-less cosmic dust and gasses as its father—convenient for the narcissist, power monger and those who want no accountability. I'm angry because I see Christ and His teachings ignored or reviled—looked down upon as something “intolerant” or antiquated. I see Christianity being pushed into a corner. And it's time for the prophetic voice—the voice of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Amos—to come forth warning those who are stumbling along the destructive path. It's time for hard heads, clear minds and compassionate hearts to stand forth firmly in the grace of Jesus, motivated only by His Love, overcoming the fear of public opinion, willing to be spat upon and responding with a prayer for their forgiveness; never returning evil for evil, but also not being overcome by evil either—overcoming evil with good; willing to die to all the world has to offer in order to infuse the Truth that only can ultimately save the world: The Truth of the Love of Jesus Christ and the desperate need for the power of His Holy Spirit in order to prosper in the ways of the soul. This is the true Peaceful Warrior Spirit that Christ will impart to us if we look to Him, open our hearts to Him and trust Him. Remember, He is our only totally trustworthy Guide. He is our Friend. He gave His life for us. And He loves those who consider us their enemies. If we remain in Him, we are safe from the evils of this world, even if we are martyred. Outside His Spirit is only “weeping and gnashing of teeth,” beautiful houses built on sand and doomed to fall. In Him we are “more than conquerors.” We will not fail! Abide in Christ!

Government

It seems that governing this great and amazing nation has regressed into a power struggle between two political parties. The pursuit of the common good  gets lost in this power struggle. And whatever good there may be in the opposing party's pursuits is neglected, overlooked or minimized; because to acknowledge anything good in the opposing party relinquishes a certain amount of power to them.
The pursuit of power is motivated by either fear, greed or the sincere desire to work for the good of humankind. Those who are motivated by fear or greed always pretend to be motivated by the common good, unless their power becomes so secure that they no longer need to pretend. Fear and greed polarize people and groups--drives them into their opposing corners and causes them to do irrational things like demonize and hate each other.
To give a certain segment of society--a lobbying group or any group working to accumulate  political power. for instance insurance companies or pharmaceutical companies--to give this group what it desires and is lobbying for may not be in the best interest of the common good. In fact, if the group is motivated by fear or greed, its pursuits are not likely to be for the common good. It is therefore incumbent upon a free nation to insure that no individual lobbying group gain enough power to elect a candidate or prevent the election of a candidate. This is especially true if such group is motivated by greed or fear. This is a form of balancing power--something our Founding Fathers were obviously concerned about. This is primarily a duty of the general populace in a democratic society--a manifestation of government "by the people." It is the duty of the voting population to not be motivated by fear or greed, but rather by the Love of Jesus Christ.  If the general public regresses into greed, fear or spiritual apathy, there is no form of government that can provide its happiness and prosperity. This is one reason why evangelism is so important. There will never be a powerful enough police force to subdue a large number of sociopaths. The laws and walls of government can not withstand the pressure exerted by large numbers of people motivated by greed and fear. If we do not grow psycho-spiritually, we will not police ourselves. And if we do not police ourselves, someone will.

Responding to Persecution

We sense God's presence:

I will never leave you or forsake you. Heb 13:5

We are encouraged knowing that others are praying for us:

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. 2 Tim 1:3

We thankfully receive the comfort that God offers us:

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good work and word. 2Th 2: 16-17

We pray for God to open doors to evangelism:

Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, Col 4:2-3

We are bold in sharing the gospel:

“And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness,” Acts 4:29

We forgive and pray for those who work against the Gospel and who persecute us:

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Mt 5:44

We pray for and receive wisdom in our ministries:

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God  who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly and it will be given to him. Jas 1:5

We remain joyful amid suffering:

Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name (of Jesus). Act 5:41

We continue to mature in our faith:

We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with his strength that works powerfully in me. Col. 1:28-29

We remain rooted in God's Word:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2Tim 3:16-17

Taken from "The Voice of the Martyrs"  persecution.com 

Antisemitism in Old Testament

Psalm 83 was written 1000 years before Christ, and it seems to have no historical context for that time. Does it have a context now? Bible scholar J. Vernon Magee comments that it seems to be looking to the future.

Regarding “Antisemitism”:

"See how your enemies make an uproar;

those who hate you have acted arrogantly.

They devise clever schemes against your people;

they conspire against your treasured ones.

They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation

so that Israel’s name will no longer be remembered.”

For they have conspired with one mind;

they form an alliance against you —

the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites,

Moab and the Hagrites,

Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek,

Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre.

Even Assyria has joined them;

they lend support to the sons of Lot. Selah"

Psa 83: 2-8