“The State of our Union”...the Wayfarer 1/30/14

“The State of our Union”
1/30/14

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bound or free, and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

For the body is not one; member, but many.”

(1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

Each and every year, a speech is given, dissected by all the pundits, responded to by those pundits, only to begin the battle of another year for the direction in which the nation in which I live will go.

As always, truths are stretched beyond the limits of their true meanings and boundaries, credit taken for things not done, promises made, that will, and can, never be kept.

As always, the opening lines are intended to state, and give assurance, that the union among our people is strong.

This is the first lie of many perpetrated on this people, and is always the first lie given to any people, that is in fact divided, most generally, given by the ones causing that division, in order to press an agenda that fits their own vision of what a society should be, without regard to any but themselves for that vision given.

This is not, however the union I would address today, nor is it the division that troubles this old preacher so deeply, though it is a symptom of that division, and where it leads.

The union of which I speak, is instead, the union of faith and works, the union of our people and God, the union of the body of Christ spoken of in the opening scripture, so eloquently described by Paul, one of the apostles that are constantly being denied by the new agers, atheists, and all the isms and ologies  I previously addressed and continue to address.

It is the union of actions taken with the words spoken by those claiming a unity with Christ.

It is a unity that cannot be allowed to be divided in its effort to give the true gospel through both word, and action, as was demanded of us by that same Christ in His great Commission.

I go today to another of those apostles, in fact a disciple who walked with my Lord, and brother to Him, for guidance to the members of that body that must be united to have any effect and be heard by all the dividers among us.

He too, will be denied by the new agers, any and all who preach only the warm fuzzy, and would have you put your head in the sand, and ignore the responsibility incurred along with the blessings accepted by those who have truly chosen Christ as Savior and promised to follow Him.

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect to persons.

For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before judgment seats?

Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called?

If ye fulfill the royal law according to scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself ye do well:

But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”

(James 2:1-11)

Those, who are given our respect, should be given only the respect they have earned through both actions taken as well as words spoken.

Positions of power and lofty words are not reasons to give that respect when words and actions fail to align themselves with the teachings of Christ Jesus,  and those holding those positions of power that speak those lofty words are an abomination when they deny both the teachings and Divinity of our Lord.

Care must be given when listening to the plans undertaken by those who would hide their divisiveness by a show of wealth, offering gifts to follow their lead; for that lead is and must be away from the body of Christ with which we claim unity.

“So speak ye, and do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?”

(James 2:12-16)

Actions are obvious reflections of any true faith, and the true intention of any man who would give direction to others. This includes leadership, whose actions must also align with their words.

When that leader neglects his own family members, and contributes nothing to their welfare, contributes only words to the destitute while enjoying the trappings of royalty, and all the sumptuous things available to any man, how can that man then be trusted to see to the needs of those who he would lead?

If that man is caught in lie after lie, deception after deception, and still proclaims his own righteousness above that of his people, and his wisdom above that of those who would lead us back to God and his laws, how can we then honor that man, or any like him?

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not faith only.

Likewise was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

(James 2:17-26)

Just as our leaders, must be identified in accordance with actions and words matching, so must all those, who call themselves Christians.

It is not enough to acknowledge that there is only one God, we must also know who He is and follow Him. Acknowledgement will be given by His very enemies, but they will refuse to follow His laws and precepts and will attempt to pervert and deny Him by denying those laws and precepts!

There is just one more, short piece of writing, given by Paul that I would call to the minds of those professing Christianity, and to those who may be reached and taught the meaning of being “Christian”.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

(Ephesians 2:8-10)

Works alone are inadequate to meet the requirement of our Lord for redemption through repentance.

Those works will, however, be manifest, and obvious if that redemption is truly received.

They will not be touted and bragged about by any truly doing them with the purity of heart that is required of them, and no accolades or fame is to be expected for them.

Those who make the most and loudest noise, are usually those who really do the least and expect the most in return.

I ask today for the unity of that body mentioned in the opening verses, and that each and every member of that body will be made cognizant of the need to:

Be who you profess to be!

Pray only what you truly mean!

Mean, with all your very soul, that which you pray!

Do what you have been asked to do, by none less than Christ 
 Jesus himself!

Speak in honesty and truth!

Follow up that speech with the required action!!!

Yes, it is time to take inventory, and account for the state of our union.

It is time that that union be united against all that would deceive and destroy it, both from without and from within.

It is time for each member to give wholly their efforts, and honor to the body of Christ!

It is time for any who claim Christianity to be Christian, accept the teachings of Christ over those of man, over those of political correctness, over those of denomination, or organization, or association, or any other artificial limb that would attach itself unworthily to that body.

It is also time for those who have been deceived to open their eyes to the deception, and make a true, real and lasting commitment, not to wealth, fame, popularity, acceptance into a society or a segment of that society, but instead a commitment to follow Christ Jesus instead.

It is also time for the soldiers serving Him to stand and boldly defend the TRUTH the WAY and The LIFE, even if it be at their own peril, and at a cost of friendship or wealth, or even life itself!

It is a time to stand and be that perfect union that is demanded of us, instead of ignoring the cost of being a part of that union.

I close, in prayer, that our union be strengthened, and divisions overcome, that we may be that which is intended, instead of that which has been pretended, for so long by so many.

I remain, as I have, and must, your servant, seeking only to serve, not this world, not any ism, but my Lord, and to take my own place within that unified body, simple sinner saved by grace through faith in Him  only. I remain also the soldier called into His service willing to give that service, in any capacity demanded of me, working until my work is finished here, and continues, on the next plane where all co-workers will also be met with perfection of our service, with His light and love.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

  Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer