With Friends Like These The Right to be Wrong Purity 770

To see, to see today's photo, go to mt4christ.org or follow me, M.t. Clark, on Facebook or Twitter. Good morning. Today's photo of blue skies filled with cumulus clouds over a field of green comes to us from yours truly, as I was taken by the simple magnificent beauty that was on display yesterday afternoon while I was traveling for work in Spiegeltown, in the Spiegeltown area of upstate New York. Well, it's Wednesday, and I actually had a photo of a mountain peak that I was going to share to visually represent our arrival at hump day, but I couldn't easily recall what the location or the source of the photo was, so rather than running the risk of offending the unknown photographer, I decided to go with one of my own, because I really believe that yesterday was a beautiful day, and I knew for certain I wouldn't offend myself. If you didn't notice lately, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has caused many to voice their opinions on the decision, with some rejoicing over the potential to protect the lives of the unborn, and with others voicing their outrage, anger, and fears over this potential loss of a woman's access to abortion on demand. As we draw near to cel— the celebration of our nation's independence, many are exercising their right to free speech and are not shy in voicing their opinion in a manner that may seem to make it clear that they don't care who they offend. Now, before you unfriend me— goodbye, old friends, frankly, I'm surprised I lasted this long— my intention is not to offend, but to seek to bring peace and to encourage my friends to recognize the world system and how it deceives us. If I was a conspiracy theorist, I would wonder about how or why in the last few years, there has— there seems to be a real wagging of the dog in our society as the media continually reports on issues that seem to further divide our society, right? Man, we are just so divided lately, right? Lately? I don't think so. As far as I can recall, we, we have always been divided. And our division— is our division now worse? Than it has ever been? No, not really. I was born in 1972 and grew up in the '80s, and as far as I can recall, the issue of abortion has always been divisive. And no matter which way the winds of change blow to change the laws of our land, it will always be divisive. No matter which side you are on of this issue, your posts on both sides, especially the snarky or insulting ones, will most likely not change people's minds. For those applauding the decision, congratulations, but before you get too excited, many states, corporations, and systems within our federal government will be operating in the same ways they were prior to the overruling of Roe v. Wade, with some agencies making the offer to— of transporting persons across state lines if necessary to ensure the right to abortion. For those lamenting of or who are up in arms over the decision, see the above. Due to the policies of certain states and the championing of this cause of abortion on demand by some, it appears to be— it appears that the only loss of the right of abortion is possibly the loss of convenience. The simple truth is that where there is a will, there is a way, and if you are not happy with the way things are now, if you just wait and things will change, and if the current trends continue, the media will one day point to 2022 as the good old days, as things are always getting worse. The thing that shocks me the most is the wide variety of stances that I have seen my friends take in voicing their opinion over this issue, and how in many instances there seems to be an inconsistent inconsistency in their logic and how in many instances there seems to be— well, I already said that, whoops— uh, an inconsistency in their logic or morality. I've repeatedly been surprised over the testimonies of some of my friends that would lead me to think they would argue for one side of this issue only to discover they are on the other side. Of course, I guess I'm only shocked because I have a different view from from theirs. As someone who has dear friends on both sides of this issue, I wish we could all just get along. And we can, as in operating civilly in society. We can, right guys? Um, but I realize that we will all be divided ultimately, and it won't be the opinions of the Supreme Court, the president, or, or your frenemies on Facebook by which you are deemed— will be deemed as righteous. As the Creator of the universe, God will determine the rights and wrongs of His creation. And even though He has given man the free will to choose what they will think and do, they are not free from the consequences of those thoughts and actions. And when He calls each one of us into eternity, we will, will have to be judged by His standards and principles revealed in the Word of God. Hey brother, I'm just a sinner saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Actually, I'm a saint. I'm not here to judge you because that's not my job, but I would have to echo the concerns of the thief who was crucified on the cross next to Jesus, who said, "Do you not even fear God?" While I know that with free will and regardless of federal, state, and local laws, I can do that, but shouldn't we think about whether or not I should do that? While many will argue that this is only an issue of choice, should we encourage people to make a choice that, that not only takes away one's right to live, but usually encumbers the chooser with the heart guilt that comes from violating God's standards? No choice is morally neutral in God's eyes, and when we go against His will, we suffer. The good news is that God offers forgiveness through Christ, but But He also calls us to repent of the world's ways and to live according to His word. Often with this issue, extreme situations are always brought forth to complicate it, but in the end we will need to have peace with God, and no extenuating circumstances ever excuses the violation of His law. While man argues for their rights, they usually forsake their responsibilities to obey the Lord. I can see both sides of this issue, and it pains my heart to consider the sick world broken by sin that we live in. That would cause this to be something that is argued over. The preponderance of evidence drawn from scripture would indicate that abortion is murder and thus sin. It is something we shouldn't do. Also, the fornication, incest, and rape that would result in the need for an abortion is also sin. So let's push for obeying the Lord and our personal responsibility, and maybe it won't be an issue. But alas, that's not what the Word of God indicates will happen. We are not going to fix the world's problems because it is broken by sin. But one day, Jesus will return and set all things right, and He undoubtedly won't be looking to make sure we have the right to do something that is against His Father's Word. It is through Christ alone that we are saved and made righteous. It is through Him that we are forgiven. Given new life and have peace with God. As Christians, we are adopted into God's family. I can tell you that adoption has worked wonders for my life. In the days ahead, let's seek to make peace, but also agree to consider the law of the Lord rather than the opinions of men. And let's seek to love our enemies and forgive them, for they know not what they do because they, because they are spiritually blinded. They can't see that the right they wish to uphold is wrong, but God gave them the free will to choose it. Instead of being offended, offer your friendship and seek to share God's love and wisdom. Hey, no one said walking and talking with God would be easy, but it's the path that leads to life everlasting and eternal glory in God's presence. So let's be patient, faithful, and humble. Faithful and kind, in the hope that we can lead others into his magnificent light. Today's Bible verse comes to us from the New Living Translation Bible Promise Book for Men. This morning's meditation verse is Proverbs 4:18, and it says, but the path of the just is like the shining sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. Today's Bible verse speaks of the progressive nature of our faith. "Our future is so bright that we have to wear shades" was a sentiment shared in an old song from my youth, and today's verse speaks of the fact that our walk with the Lord should be one of increasing illumination to His truth and to our personal sanctification. The more we walk with the Lord, the more we should know and live out His truth. We aren't what we want to be yet, but we sure aren't who we were, right? Uh, this verse also points to the perfect day when we will be glorified in the presence of the Lord. That's good news. No matter how daunting our progress here on earth may be at times, we are assured that one day we will make it. The perfect day is coming, so keep walking and talking with God, because man Our future is so bright we should probably wear shades, but we can also enjoy the progress where things get brighter along the way. As always, I invite all to go to mtforchrist.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. Today we continue sharing from Clinton Arnold's Powers of Darkness. In today's section, uh, from chapter 4, um, focuses on the influence of the powers on individuals. And so he, he presents it, um, from what the, uh, Judaism of the first century basically thought about the, uh, the powers of darkness on individuals. So if you're interested in that, go to mtforchrist.org to check that out. Well, it's Wednesday, but for me it's Friday because, uh, I have the day off tomorrow and Friday and Saturday and Sunday and Monday. So I got a mini vacation. As far as I know, I'll still be blogging and podcasting throughout. Technical issues may arise, but, you know, I think I'll be faithful. We'll see. It's just sort of a practice that I've done this for quite some time now, so I think I'll just continue. And, um, yeah, so anyway, let's seek peace today. Let's seek not to offend. Let's, let's hesitate in responding to posts we see on Facebook that will further divide us. And, you know, um, be patient and kind and faithful, and, um, that's all we can do. Most of the times we argue for things that will never happen, or we worry about things that will never happen. So yeah, I don't know, you know, vote your conscience, do what you think is right, but make sure both of those, you know, if you can, line up with the Word of God. I would imagine anyone listening to this message has Christ in their life. And if that's the case, we need, you know, the inestimable value of Christ in your life. And so rather than draw people, you know, push people away, we should be seeking to bring people in. So that's tough. And it's probably not going to happen if you share your opinions on a divisive issue rather than share the gospel. But right is right and wrong is wrong. So let the Spirit lead you and let God's Word be your standard and your truth and your hope. There's only, you know, we might lose friends on earth, but we'll, you know, we're all going into eternity and we have to stand with the truth and you know, try to love our enemies. It was not an easy, easy, uh, you know, an easy mission that Christ put us on to go and make disciples of all the earth, because the earth is, you know, ruled by the powers of darkness and seek to destroy us and kill us. So we have to, you know, we have to, we have to be steadfast in our faith and try to encourage people to to soften their hearts and come to the Lord and get Jesus, you know, make Jesus their Lord and Savior so they can see the truth that's all over the place, but it is impossible to see when you don't have God in your life. So let's be faithful today. Let's be kind, and I'll let you know if I get a lot of flak for this message. I wasn't able to straddle the line, really. I had to, you know, call it sin. Um, so there it is. So that's it. I apologize, but I don't apologize. Not my opinion, it's the word of God, and that's what we go by. It's not relativistic society, it's a sovereign Lord with a sovereign word, and we're supposed to Follow him and point to that truth regardless of what it costs us. So if it costs me some friends— were we friends? You know, I don't know. Yeah, we— I'm sure we were, um, but we might not always be. And if we're going on different, you know, we're on different paths and yours leads to destruction, I can't go with you, but I can tell you to follow me as I follow Christ. So let's pray. Lord God, Heavenly Father, thank you for another day in your kingdom. Lord, we thank you for all the good that you do, um, in the world. And, um, you know, that shows us how precious our lives are and how precious life is, because you are the author of life. Lord, we thank you for the revelation you gave us of the truth of Jesus Christ that softens our hearts, opens our mind and hearts to your word. Lord, we pray for you to go before us, to guide us into all truth. And to, you know, show us the things we need to see— the beauty in this world, the hurting that we can help with, and the things you want us to do. Lord, we thank you, we praise you, and we pray for you to come alongside all of us today. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.