Warfare

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of seeing the Jackie Robinson biopic "42." It was such an amazing story. Seeing what he and his family endured was heart breaking. Seeing the changes of most of his teammates was touching. The struggle and triumph were inspiring.

It baffles my mind that this country, which I love and cherish, has such a checkered past concerning race. Yet I'm awestruck by those who stood up and did something. Ignorance is a dangerous and vicious enemy.  

George Santaya once said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Or in other words, "Those you don't learn form history are doomed to repeat it. I know well that there are still parts of this beautiful country where racism still exist, the root of anger and bitterness has grown deep and is fed daily. It is still an active war. 

 As the world continues to change other wars are rising up. The most personal to me is the war against my faith. The values, ethics and morality that my faith teaches me are being attacked. Now there are others that say they are of the same faith but their actions contradict God's teachings. They make things worse and paint a picture that's the absolute opposite of what it is to be a Christian.

Yes, there are certain lifestyles that I believe are sin. But it is not my place to judge, that's God's business, my place is to show love. I am commanded to show love, compassion, mercy to my fellow man. I am just as much of a sinner as the next person. We all far short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) In God's eyes we are all the same. Our sin is all the same. No one's sin is greater than the other, we as humans give them degrees. The only difference is that I have acknowledged my sin nature and have found redemption through Jesus Christ.  

The world has decided that I am prejudice. I believe that a God design marriage, man & woman, is the definition of a traditional marriage. My faith teaches me this truth. I respect those who choose not to agree with me so please show me the same courtesy. Please don't judge me because of my beliefs. I would love to share my beliefs with you and encourage you to accept them but if you choose not too, that is your God giving free will choice.  

Yet, I am not extended that courtesy. Christianity is under attack. People scoff at that statement. How can Christianity be attacked if a majority of the country claims that faith? I can't claim to know that hearts of those people, but I know that if that were the truth then we as a country wouldn't find itself in the trouble we are in. Christianity isn't about religion its about a relationship. How many that say they are a Christian can also say that they are in a relationship with Christ? That's what counts. My freedom of worship choice is cleverly being targeted. 

First, the words Merry Christmas were replaced with Happy Holidays. In Santa Barbara, CA the traditional nativity scenes, which have become a tourist destination, were not permitted this past year. Organizations are being called bigots because they have a moral policy that they don't what to change. Our Government has even threaten to take away their non-profit status if they don't comply. 

Through history we have seen what has happened when we prejudge, when we let hate blind us, when the sins of the father bring the son's house falling to the ground. It's destructive. It's ruthless. It's everything that God is offended by. We as a nation have forgotten the past and are doomed to repeat it. 

The only hope we have is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 

Let's seek out that hope!