A Vote for Obama was a Vote for the Democratic Party Platform

On November 6, America voted to reelect President Barack Obama, and therefore stand behind (or in unison) with the 2012 Democratic Party Platform. Whether one agrees with every line of it or not, a vote for Obama is an endorsement of the ideals presented by the party. With that in mind, let’s discuss a few of the conflicts the word of God has with such a platform.

[1] The absence or removal of “God” from the platform [n]

Although the language “God-given” was added (or added back) to the platform, it was not there when it was originally presented. Concerned that they might be called “godless” or worse, as the apparent deletion was being shared in the media, they called for a two-thirds vote to reinstate “God” into their platform. Interestingly, the voice vote had to be called three different times, and, even after it was determined that the “yes” votes had won the majority, many even in the very party questioned its validity and were upset about the amendments (even booing [n]). In all fairness, it has been noted that President Obama questioned the missing reference of “God”, but it must be dually noted that it was not until after it had come to light in the media. Had he previously read the platform? Perhaps he did not know it had changed from 2008.

Mark 7:6:

This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

[2] The absence or removal of “Jerusalem the capital of Israel” from the platform [n]

Although including language that states “Jerusalem the capital of Israel” into a platform does not make Jerusalem the capital of Israel – even as removing it does not discredit it – it can be seen as a support or lack of support to a nation we have chosen to stand behind for many years. Taken in conjunction with Obama’s perception concerning Iran and his lack of desire or inability to make time to meet with Israel's leadership in such a time as this seems rather odd. Of course, in all fairness, we may not have been given all of the reasons why, but from the outside it draws scrutiny because of its removal from the 2008 platform and the discontent of party members for its reinstatement into the 2012 platform.

Genesis 12:3

I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

According to President Obama, himself, he is in support of:

[3] A woman’s right to abortion

In the eyes of scripture, abortion (the killing of an unborn baby) is murder. Please see my post [here] for information concerning whether one can hold Christianity in one hand and abortion in the other.

[4] The homosexual’s right to marry

All through the scripture [1] marriage is defined as between a man and a woman, and [2] homosexuality is seen as an act of immorality. We cannot simply overlook this for the sake of “unity”; for “unity” can never be defined by the acceptance of all things.

Isaiah 5:20

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

We cannot call out to God to bless our nation while we do deny His name, shy from support of His people, and approve acts against His word. We must repent America, and choose God’s platform.

Praying for the 'Other Side'

On the morning after the election (if one had not stayed up to see the results), many surely came to realize the ‘other side’ (meaning the opposing person, party, ideals, etc.) had won. Whether for a political office, amendment, proposal, or other ballot choices, their vote was overruled by the votes of others. We won and they lost, or we lost and they won. So, what do we do now?

What is one to do if they found themselves on the ‘losing’ side of Election Day? Should they merely go back to their private, personal lives, and wait till the next 40 Days of Prayer for 2016? Refuse to do their part and spend all their time speaking ill of those who ‘won’? God forbid.

What about those who have found their candidate to remain in office or their views having been passed on the ballots, should they merely gloat about their ‘win’ and look down upon those who disagreed? Should they now refuse to join hands with those who opposed them, and claim rights or superiority over those who ‘lost’? God forbid.

If you are a biblical Christian and realize the direction our nation is going (and has been going for more than the recent four years), it is past high time for us to get off our lazy high-mindedness and do something about it! We cannot expect God to change and bless our nation, if we refuse to repent ourselves and live out a godly life in total obedience to him. [n] If we desire to see God lift the hand of judgment from our nation, we need to stand by our morals and show the world we are not merely hypocrites only giving God lip service when it is convenient and we want our way!

If we find ourselves at odds with the ideals and plans of those elected, there is still something we can and should be (and should have been) doing! We should be praying for the ‘other side’. [n] Not that they would do what we want them to do, but that they would be used of God for the sake of our nation, and that he would enlighten them to the biblical teachings of scripture. That he would use them to keep religious freedom (not freedom from religion) in America, and hold back the moral decay we see so prevalent today. We cannot simply have the childish mindset of “I’m taking my marbles and going home.”

We must pray, read, be involved, and share the gospel message of Jesus Christ even more!

Pray for our leaders - for they are our nation's leaders - and beg God to use them for his glory!

Partially Pro-Life is Partially Pro-Choice

In light of the opposing views of Pro-Life and Pro-Choice – also termed by some as Anti-Choice and Anti-Life – can there truly be a mixing of the two, of which one could be labeled as Partial Pro-Life or Conditional Pro-Life?

Although some would like to call themselves Pro-Life, by definition, their stance does not grant them this right. To be Pro is to be “in favor” of a particular position, not merely “in [partial] favor” of a certain belief; therefore, to be Pro-Life is to be “in favor” of life over abortion (death). It is the life of the unborn baby in the womb of their mother which those who are Pro-Life are in favor of ensuring has equal rights [i.e. Choice] to life. When one adds the words [except] to a position, they are no longer completely pro but rather partially (or conditionally) pro to the ideal.

Scripture gives us proof that God sees unborn babies as persons, before they ever come forth from the womb of their mother. Some examples are: [Jacob and Esau] Genesis 25:23 – “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” [Jeremiah] Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”[John the Baptist] Luke 1:41 – “And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.” Not to mention [Christ], which would take more space than is permitted to even remotely consider the biblical truth of God manifest in the flesh.

To call upon God to bless our nation, we must first acknowledge our lukewarmness when it comes to the biblical truth of abortion. We cannot expect our holy God to bless a people who call Him Lord with our lips, while slaying innocent blood with our hands. “Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” [n] And also said, “Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” [n]

As difficult as it may be to go through a situation such as rape or incest, we must remember we cannot allow one sin to lead us to another. God has told us in His Word that life begins at conception and how important children are to Christ. We must hold strong to the truth, even when the trials and tribulations hit so very close to home. 

Sex Ed too hot for TV but okay for middle school?

In today’s society, I don’t think that anyone would deny the heavy promoted idea that “sex sells”. We see it in commercials, on billboards, and throughout television and movies. More recently, there seems to be this great push to get it into our school systems as well. And, I’m not talking about college. We are talking about middle school, children that aren’t even teenagers yet! [n]

 

According to the [article], “Hundreds of Houston-area parents are outraged over a new sex education program that teaches 12-year-old children about oral, anal and vaginal sex – and uses graphic curriculum to instruct students on how to use condoms.”

 

I realize some persons will argue that – [“We have to give them that info,” one parent told the television station. “They need to be aware as much as it may hurt us, but they need to be aware.”] – but the WE should be the PARENTS, and not the government, school system, or other outside-the-family sources; especially, with material that “was so graphic that a Houston television station was unable to air footage from the curriculum.”

 

How can we expect our children (and America) to flee fornication [n] and to desire purity [n], if we are broadcasting sexual material into their developing imaginations? How shall we plead with them to flee youthful lusts and follow righteousness [n], when we are tempting them with sin to their very senses? We have ratings for television and movies – even fines and penalties for those who allow inappropriate material during times children will be watching – yet now we want to incorporate such material into our children’s learning. God help us!

 

Safeguard your children from what is wrong, instruct them in what is right, and do not allow the government, schools, or the worldly minded to corrupt their little minds with unrighteous imagery or thoughts. Renew their minds in God [n] by the use of scripture and godly wisdom.

There is a generation... pt. 4

The fourth part of “There is a generation…” series comes from verse 14 of Proverbs 30 [n].

[vs 14] There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

There is a generation... pt. 3

The third part of “There is a generation…” series comes from verse 13 of Proverbs 30 [n].

[vs 13] There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

Again, there is little doubt to the fact that we live in a day when “every way of a man is right in his own eyes”. [n] From the Christian to the non-Christian, the theist to the atheist, the republican to the democrat, the pro-lifer to the abortionist, the hetero to the homo sexual, there are many varying ideals which encompass America. And while some riot, demand, debate, or merely claim to agree to disagree, the conflict remains ever increasing. I just read an article this morning about persons getting labeled as racist simply because they voiced their right to vote for a white candidate (and they are not white).

Why can’t we just all get along? Simple –

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”[n]

What do I mean by fool? I mean, by looking only to ourselves – our own ideals, presuppositions, selfishness, and limited knowledge – we become foolish in our thinking. By denying God (whether by voice in our unbelief or by action in our lack thereof), refusing to adhere to the core principles and doctrines of scripture (both in word and deed), all the while seeing ourselves in a right standing with God –calling on Him to bless us – is the height of hypocrisy!

Are we not as those who Christ said unto, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men”?[n] Scripture declares, “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [n]

If we want the blessings of God upon America, then we must “remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works” [n] – i.e. turn from our sin and return to the wisdom of scripture.

There is a generation... pt. 2

The second part of “There is a generation…” series comes from verse 12 of Proverbs 30 [n].

[vs 12] There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

There is little doubt to the fact that we live in a day when “every way of a man is right in his own eyes”. [n] And furthermore, we are easily justified (or pure) in our own eyes. We fail – or even refuse – to see ourselves as unclean or our righteousness (all of our works) as merely filthy rags; [n] for we are “lovers of [our] own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” [n]

America (even within the Church) is full of the works of the flesh; namely, “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” [n] These are in direct conflict with the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.” [n]

As Christians, we are told to “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” – BUT this does not mean to be silent or complacent, and allow sin to go unquestioned and not brought into accountability. The passage continues, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” [n]

We, no doubt, find it easier to condemn (and blame all of America’s problems on) those who promote atheism, abortion, fornication, homosexuality, and the things we see contrary to scripture, but the fact remains God has said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” [n] “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.” [n]

There is a generation...

This past Sunday, our pastor used as his text a passage from Proverbs 30:11-14. [n] Sadly, it describes a generation which seems so relevant to modern day America. If we are not yet there, we are no doubt on the very verge of such similitude. I would like to briefly cover each of these four verses separately.

[vs. 11] There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

In a day where parents are ridiculed or condemn for any corporal punishment (i.e. spankings) toward their children, and where many children can be given talks about sexuality, contraceptives, and even the morning after pill without a parent’s consent, it seems likely the division between parent and child will only grow here in America.

Scripture says “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord,” [n] while declaring “ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” [n] The commandment of God is to “Honour thy father and mother” [n], and thus not to do so is sin – but equally is the clear direction of God to teach our children the things of God [n], and to fail to do so is also sin.

The failure in the relationships within the home between parents and children will continue to lead to a breakdown in society. We need to take a renewed look at ourselves as parents, and see if we are spending quality (and quantity) time with our children. We need to ensure that we are not merely demanding respect by saying “do what I say, not what I do”, but are giving them godly examples of how to live and communicate with each other with charity about us. If our children are afraid or unsure how to be close to us or we find it difficult to be a part of our child’s life, it is our duty as parents to seek the wisdom of God as how to bridge that great divide we may have with the souls God has given us to nurture.

Scripture declares there will be a time when “the father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law,” [n] but let it not be on our watch. Let us serve God, protect, cherish, and teach our children of Him, and prayerful turn the heart of America to the saviour, Jesus Christ.