The New Civil War

Written By: Kirk Peterson

America Chooses a President

I know many of my fellow Republicans were depressed and dejected after Obama won re-election.  I picture us all in robes, wearing backwards baseball caps, depressed and sulking just as Stephen Colbert portrayed on his show. 

See the Nov. 7th episode here: http://www.colbertnation.com/full-episodes/wed-november-7-2012-doris-kearns-goodwin

Being the proverbial political junkie, I love to watch the comedy satire shows The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.  I was particularly interested to hear what John Stewart had to say on the Democratic victory. One of his views in particular made my ears perk up and speaks to something I have spoken to many times recently in my blogs.  I'm paraphrasing here but--he said that conservatives like to paint Democrats as having low moral character and somehow their views on issues like gay marriage and abortion marks them as morally wrong.  We ALL fall short of gods glory and EVERYONE of us sin.

"22We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins." -Romans 3:22-24 (New Living Translation)

 

Christan/Democrat/Humanity it makes no difference what label you use--since the fall of man, sin has entered the heart of man and evil desires and temptation steal us away from the higher road that we might walk on otherwise.  I think a lot of the world views people of faith as hypocrites in this regard for we often judge others at times when we need to be looking at our self.  God has definitely put on my heart that our country has fallen so very far in our morals that we are in dangerous waters.  In my study on the book of Genesis, I'm reminded of how far Man had fallen before and of God's perfect judgement on the world with his great flood.

God's Truth

See Image Here: http://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2012/02/2012-02-28-noahs_ark.jpg

5The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. 7And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8But Noah found favor with the Lord. - Genesis 6:5-8 (New Living Translation)

In my study on the book of Genesis, I was taken aback by the statement, everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. Man had fallen so far into sin, that their EVERY thought and ACTION was EVIL! Can you imagine a world so dark and foreboding? Though the heart of man has sin, thank the Father in heaven, we also still have light and righteousness through Jesus The Messiah. Our world is in a state of decaying morals and I see more wickedness and corruption spreading throughout our land. Think back to our grandparents generation here in the United States. Remember the strong moral character people had back then? You could let your kids play in the neighborhood without worrying. People left their front door unlocked and neighbor's helped each other out when they needed it. Even though we have not fallen to the extent that man had in Noah's time, God's judgement is coming not by water but by fire. 

5They deliberately forget that God made the heavens by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. 6Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. 7And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. 8But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 10But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." -2 Peter 3:5-10 (New Living Translation)

See Image Here: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gEMBGYJEkPbmckZtx7E6Pih1zDtDmhKRpralgr4dPZAOuE_Ma_fIBOeisFaGfODyKLoGICIefFP2SU_J_zUyc60pewftosPg7PEcqeN4fFVMnU0rN5s7aEk45vWjWkZVQFjW6dCEY2Zg/s1600/Judgement%2520Day%5B1%5D.jpg

God has perfect justice and his judgement on the world was to destroy His entire creation with a flood and it broke his heart. However, there was one person---only one person in the entire world who found favor with the Lord and that was Noah. 

"9This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. "-Genesis 6:9 (New Living Translation)

It took Noah 120 years to build the ark. Can you imagine the tremendous amount of Faith it would have taken for him to bear the trials that surely came from the evil of man around him when he was being obedient to God and fulfilling his command to build the ark that would act as the new beginning for man after the flood?

The New Civil War

After the election, I was left there standing saddened by the outcome.  I found it very interesting that our political system pits two sides against each other struggling for victory.  At a time when our country needs to unite to face the incredible challenges laid out before us, our political system instead divides us.  Why?  Is it really the natural course of our country's thinking, the equilibrium of our thoughts and beliefs that lead us to two separate teams and groups: Democrats vs. Republicans.  Or is it by design?  Has someone or something chosen to make the political system this way to further some larger and more sinister agenda? 

See Image Here: http://www.soldierstudies.org/images/webquest/civil%20war%20soldiers.jpg

24“A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.25Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 27...Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house." -Mark 3:24-25; 27 (New Living Translation)

Gods word tells us the fate of a kingdom that is divided.  The bible tells us the destructive nature of feuding and the consequence it has in our family.  Many of us have seen this not only in the history of our world with the rise & fall of governments, but here at our home with our own families.  Satan is crafty.  The heart of man is tempted by sin, but it is only through repentance by acknowledging our evil and asking our creator for forgiveness that we can be washed clean. 

Unfaithful Jerusalem

"21See how Jerusalem, once so faithful, has become a prostitute. Once the home of justice and righteousness, she is now filled with murderers. 22Once like pure silver, you have become like worthless slag. Once so pure, you are now like watered-down wine. 23Your leaders are rebels,

the companions of thieves. All of them love bribes and demand payoffs, but they refuse to defend the cause of orphans or fight for the rights of widows. 24Therefore, the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, he Mighty One of Israel, says, “I will take revenge on my enemies and pay back my foes!

25I will raise my fist against you. I will melt you down and skim off your slag. I will remove all your impurities. 26Then I will give you good judges again and wise counselors like you used to have.

Then Jerusalem will again be called the Home of Justice and the Faithful City.” 27Zion will be restored by justice; those who repent will revived by righteousness. - Isaiah 1:21-27 (New Living Translation)

 

Our country was once the home of justice and righteousness and I pray for our land.  We have to be the UNITED states of America and work together to make some bold decisions that will not only affect our kids, but all future generations.  I pray that America can be the hope of the world again. 

See Image Here: http://mrayton.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/repentance.jpg