Chuck Colson, 1937-2012

I would like to pay tribute with this blog post to Chuck Colson.  Chuck was best known for his role in the Watergate scandal and his subsequent conversion to Christianity after being arrested for crimes in connection with the scandal.  He admitted that what he did was wrong and spoke out against corruption in government from then on until the day he died.  He said that he deserved to go to jail for what he did and was thankful to God that he was caught because he might never have come to know Jesus otherwise.

Most of the rest of what I know about Chuck comes from a book called God and Government which he authored.  The book has a little of what you might expect from a social conservative, but a lot that you might not.  He did a good job a relating how easy it is to become corrupted by power.  Besides giving his own personal testimony, he reminds us about various freedom movements around the world like the Solidarity movement in Poland, the overthrow of the Marcos government in the Philippines, and the toppling of the Soviet Union.  He talked about Dietrich Bonheoffer, a Christian who refused to give in to the government takeover of the Christian church in Nazi Germany.  He also recounted some great stories about events which lead to an easing of tensions between Protestants and Catholics in Ireland.

Like a typical socially conservative writing, he speaks out against some of the violations of the rights Christians and the erosion of morality and integrity in the government.  One example he gave was a case where a church decided to expel one of its members because of an admitted case of adultery.  The government got involved and a judge decided to force the church to take the unfaithful church member back, despite the lack of repentance.  He also opposed same-sex marriage and abortion.

Of course, I don’t agree with everything he said in the book.  For example he uses the word “Democracy” incorrectly and his interpretation of First Amendment is quite flawed.  I also strongly disagree with his embrace of preemptive war (and particularly in the case of the Iraq War).

However he didn’t completely fit the mold of a typical social conservative. 

He expressed some libertarian-leaning views in the book.  For example, he opposed three strikes laws and supported reducing or eliminating sentences for non-violent offenses (e.g. drug offenses).  He talked about how he traveled all around the world making speeches and talking to prison officials to persuade them to improve living conditions for prisoners.  He opposes the torture of prisoners of war.  This issue is not exactly first and foremost on the minds of most Christians today, but nonetheless it is an important issue and it was a great work for the Lord he did.  His efforts in this regard went hand-in-hand with his rehabilitation based prison ministry.

Another way in which he was a little different is that he believed that just because a candidate is a Christian that does not necessarily mean that that candidate is the best choice.   

And although he opposed Darwinism, he believed in the Big Bang Theory, touting it as proof of the existence of God.  This is because the Big Bang Theory includes a beginning of the universe.  The Steady State Theory was an earlier theory which had been embraced by the scientific community and did not include a beginning.

There was one quote from the book that I particularly liked.  I can’t remember it word for word but it went something like this:

There is no such thing as a government which doesn’t legislate morality.  All laws legislate someone’s idea of morality.

Rest in Peace, Chuck.

Exercising Authority over Satan at Work and Elsewhere, Part 10

Many times situations happen in our lives which we do not know how or why they take place.  The main source of conflict is Satan.  He and those evil angels under his command can work through various situations. These evil entities also put ideas into people’s heads, which people think are their own ideas, to bring about Satan’s desires.  It is also for possible for people things to have demonic spirits in them.  Jesus has given those, who are in Christ, authority over all the power of the enemy.

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1).

Elsewhere - The Weather and the Women

Ladies were having a Bible Study outdoors because the weather was so nice and enjoyable.  During the study, wind suddenly arrived on the scene blowing papers around and the pages of the Holy Bible.  This annoyed the leader of the Bible Study; she rebuked the wind and told it to calm down and the weather became quit again.

You’re Response        

The disciples came back to Jesus after ministering in the country side and said, “Even the devils are subject to us.”  Jesus said, “Don’t rejoice that the devils are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the Book of Life.”  Reader, is your name written in the Book of Life?  If you are not sure that your name is already recorded in the Book of Life, or if you know your name is not in the Book of Life, then right now you can repent of your sins and invite Jesus into your life.  A sample prayer is, “Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my sin and come into my heart.”

Conscience, Compromise and the Sacredness of Your Vote

I had a conversation a few days ago with some Republicans about voting your conscience.  I argued that I could not vote for any Republican except Ron Paul and would vote for a third party or independent candidate or no one at all if the Republican Party did not nominate Ron Paul.  I told them that I had not voted for any Republican or Democrat for President in the general election since Bob Dole (and that I would even take that vote back if I could because it was an unacceptable compromise).  We argued about whether there is a real difference between Obama and the Republican establishment candidates.  We argued about whether the United States would last as nation longer with the Republicans in power or the Democrats.  I argued that the Republican establishment has supported No Child Left Behind, Medicare part D, and even the funding of Planned Parenthood while they had control of all federal branches of government. I challenged them to tell me even one instance where they repealed a bad law previously enacted by the Democrats during those six years. The Bush tax cut law was the only thing that they could come up with.  But I argued that this is meaningless if spending is not also cut (and in fact, it wasn't).  If spending is not cut, then you (or your grandchildren) are eventually going have pay back that extra money anyway.  I also contended that God is in control, he is more powerful than Obama, so we don't have worry about him being reelected.  Just do the right thing, and let God manage the consequences.

They argued that you don't have to endorse everything that a candidate believes in order to vote for that candidate.  I agreed because no two people on earth are going agree on everything, but where do draw the line?  What if Hitler was the Republican nominee?  Would you still be saying, "That Hitler is really bad, but we just can't let that Obama get back in office!!!"  The only sensible place to draw the line is this:

If a candidate has clearly demonstrated that he intends to use the power of his office for evil in any instance, then voting for this candidate should be out of the question.

Very simple, isn't it?  You may not agree with everything that a candidate believes, but if you vote for a candidate that intends to use his power to promote sin, then you are participating in the evil that is accomplished if that candidate takes office.  The Bible teaches us not to be "unequally yoked with unbelievers" and "Be not ye therefore partakers with them."  Clearly, there is no difference between voting for such a candidate, and doing these evil things yourself.  This does not mean that the candidate must be in favor of the particular punishment that you think is fit for particular sin, or even if that particular sin should be against the law at all, as long as the minimum standards of Biblical justice are upheld.  This does not even mean that you can't vote for candidate who has used his power for evil in the past--for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  But if a candidate has clearly demonstrated a pattern of using his power to promote wicked behavior, and shows no remorse for what he has done and does not even acknowledge that what he has done is evil, but instead defends it--it is then unreasonable to vote for that candidate regardless of how wicked any opposing candidates may be.

Violating the Constitution is a form of lawlessness and lawlessness is sin. I am not saying to vote for Ron Paul--I am struggling with this decision myself--he is a borderline candidate.  But please, please do not vote Santorum, Gingrich, or Romney in the primary or the general election.  There is no question that they are unacceptable.  They have no respect for the Constitution.  They have all supported legislation which funds abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.  Send them a message that they can't get away with it!  Please, stop and think about this before voting!

The Whole Armor of God, Part14D

Today I conclude my series of articles commenting on the concepts and principles involved in the Armor of God, which the Apostle Paul described in the New Testament. This is the topic of the Sunday school lesson, which I am currently teaching.

The power of His might.

As children of God our confidence is not self-confidence, but rather confidence in God. We trust that God is working in us, through us, and around us for our good. This is why the Psalmist can write, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ” (Psalm 27:1). Without our realizing it, God works through the children of God to perform what any particular individual child of God has faith in God to accomplish. It seems like when we are doing the tasks at hand, which we have to do, but in reality it is actually God supplying the strength and ability to accomplish any task.

We are given promises by God which allows us to become partakers of His divine power.

II Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

The first promise of course is salvation.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

We have the promise that God will not leave us.

Hebrews 13:5c I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

We have the promise of cleansing and forgiveness if we sin after receiving Christ.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We can go to God with any care or problem that we have.

I Peter 5:5c, 6, 7 God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

We have healing of our bodies through Jesus Christ

I Peter 2:24c … by whose stripes ye were healed.

We have been given power and authority over demons and diseases.

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

Our names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:17-20 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

The apostolic authority extends to each believer to this day.

Matthew 28:18, 19, 20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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One who is born-again becomes a part of the Body of Jesus Christ (His Church) and now has the right to exercise the power of God in Jesus' name. If yoU want to be a part of the Body of Christ, then you can do so by repenting of your sins and by inviting Him into your life. A sample prayer that you can use is, “Lord Jesus Christ forgive me of my sins and come into my heart.”

Why Evil Exists in the World Today, Part 6

We see evil all around us today, don't we? TV, newspapers, and radio all chronicle the ravages of evil. I am continuing a series today, taking a break from my series, “Armor of God.”

If you wanted someone to love you, wouldn’t you want them to love you of their own free will, rather than because they had no other choice? .

Satan Is the Most Powerful Created Being

Since Satan is anointed he has great power. He is no doubt the most powerful created being.

Job 1:6-11, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

Job 1:12-22, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

Job 2:1-7, “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.”

Satan was able to bring coordinated attacks on Job from mankind, from the natural elements, and Job’s own body. He (Satan) can do it to you, or any nation, or peoples as well.

It is solely God’s, mercy, power and authority which prevents more mayhem then we currently see today.