Where We Are

The world in which we live is far different than the one I grew up in and even raised our family.  In looking back on those years, I can now clearly see how we have gotten to this place and how things might continue.  Cultural and moral values have changed over these many years and there is a very simple way to understand what and how things are happening.

To take this out of the realm of culture I will place it where it really needs to be seen from and that is the spiritual.  Since the beginning of time there has been a battle of good and evil.  After Adam and Eve sinned and were removed from the garden they had 2 sons.  At that time there were 4 people on this earth.  In the scripture we are told what happened between Cain and Able.  It began in jealousy and ended with murder.  Able was murdered by Cain.  The battle of good and evil had begun earlier.  When Eve ate of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil then Adam also ate.  The influence of Satan on man began in the garden when the serpent tempted Eve and Adam followed.  Satan has desired and worked since creation to destroy man and his relationship with God.

Of course, you will quickly remember that as you read the Old Testament there is account after account of God making Himself known and providing for mankind.  Noah and the ark, Abraham. Jacob, Joseph, Samson, Esther and so many others even into the New Testament.

God has never hidden Himself from man and always made provision for him to return to God.  Yet man has continually turned from God to his own detriment.  Why?  There are several factors, but it begins with who we are in having free-will.  God created man and gave him the ability to make his own decisions.  Those decisions are a part of the whole of life including the acceptance or rejection of God.  These are individual and not group decisions.  As an individual we make our choices in life.  Others may also make the same decision but not because the group decided to make that decision.  Rather, a group of people who had made the same decision agree.

There are people who we agree with and others who we do not agree with and that is free will.  When you consider this, you remember that there is nothing new.  Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV says-

That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done,…

All because as it says at the end of the verse-

And there is nothing new under the sun.

Nothing is new not even the thoughts or ideas that we have at any given time.  Someone else has thought of it or done it.  I remember one time fishing with my Dad.  We would always take food and drinks when we went fishing.  This particular day we had a thermos of sweet tea with ice, Well, after all we are from the south.  Dad said “you know it would be a great idea to put sweet tea in a can”.  Well, he was right and it was a great idea.  Somebody else had that idea and it would not be too long before you could buy sweet tea in a can.  Not because my Dad did it but someone else did.  You may have a story like that about something that you found out that someone else had the same thought.

We are going through a time I believe of heightened spiritual warfare.  Spiritual battles have always been fought since the beginning of time.  Yet today there are two conflicting spiritual events happening and I sense that is not by coincidence, as some might say.  There is a battle of good vs evil playing out right in front of us, you know the one we spoke of that began in the Garden of Eden.

Today there are reports of what is a spiritual awakening occurring all over the world.  Believers becoming much more aware of what God is doing all around.  It is a heightened spiritual awareness.  Believer’s being drawn closer to God and lost people coming to know God as their savior through His Son Jesus Christ.  People who are coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.                                         

However, those who do not know Jesus Christ are being held captive by the wiles of Satan.  Not having a spiritual compass in their lives, they are easily confused by Satan. There is no right or wrong.  There is no relative truth that they live by, simply making it up as they live each day. 

We saw this played out only a few days ago when the Governor of Massachusetts signed into law that a baby can be aborted up until the time of birth.  That is not health care that is MURDER.  As we watched the news reports showing the signing, there were probably 20 women cheering, smiling and clapping.  They were excited that it was now legal to MUDRER a child.  By the way there are no guard rails in the law.  IF the woman desires the abortion and the physician agrees then it is legal to MURDER that baby.  MURDER is now legal and it will get worse not just in Massachusetts but in other places in our country.

Remember God’s Word is always true.  He said in Jeremiah 1:5 about the prophet that-

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born, I sanctified you;..

That same truth is for each of us as He formed us, knew us, and sanctified us before we were born.  That is true for all creation, and it is up to the individual to determine their belief in Jesus Christ.  That is God’s freewill.

The Psalmist said in Psalm 139:13-14

¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,    I know that full well.

God has given man life, and it is man’s decision what he does with the life God has given him.  Life here and ultimately the eternal life to follow.

In 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV we are told-

⁸ Be sober (self-controlled), be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 

When we read Peter’s words here, we read it as believers, as we should.  Yet the idea that he is expressing is one that serves all of mankind to know.   The devil is not just after the Christian, but he is seeking to devour any and all.  That is how he has attacked and defeated so many throughout the world.  This is why we as believers are instructed in Jesus own words in Matthew 28:19-20 to-

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

We know this to be the Great Commission.  It is for all believers to share their faith in Him with others.

Why did he say this?  Because in the 18^th verse we read again His words-

… “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

The battle is real and it will never cease to exist until the final battle is fought and won.  Satan and all who rejected Jesus Christ are sealed in hell for eternity.  Then all things become new and we live in peace with Him forever.  The battles will become more intense, as they are today.  Babies murdered, communists attempting to destroy our nation, other religions working to destroy us as Christians and this country in which we live.  The world is lost and going to hell.  We cannot stop anyone from rejecting God’s Word and following the lies of Satan, but we can be a witness for Jesus, pray and do our civic duty.

I have it said before and will continue to say it with every opportunity I have, to remind you of who we are, Christians and citizens.  Live your faith each day and exercise your civic responsibility and vote.  These are primary days and then in November there is a general election.  Study the issues and the candidates.  Read and listen to what is said.  Know what you believe and what Scripture teaches.  Pray, and then exercise that God given right you have as a citizen.

In God’s Grace,

Elbert Nasworthy

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