 |
|
| Vol. 15 No. 2 February 2013 | Page 3 |
|
|
| Vol. 15 No. 2 February 2013 | Page 3 |
Rodney Nulph, Associate Editor
From 40 years ago, the horrific Supreme Court decision of Roe vs. Wade, which legalized the murder of unborn babies, has been a dark cloud over our nation, sadly still lingering today. Since January 22, 1973, some 56,000,000 babies have been ruthlessly murdered, making the womb the most dangerous place in America! Legalized murder has brought numerous problems to this great nation. Just what has this 40 year plague done for America?
Firstly, this plague devalues life! Life is precious and should be saved, not slaughtered! The 7-2 decision in Roe vs. Wade showed that the majority in that courtroom thought of life as worthless and of little value. Sadly, many of those who “lead” this nation today believe the same thing. President Obama, in his inauguration speech, recently quoted some of the words from the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Although quoted, this is not believed or practiced! While our Creator has given to all men the unalienable right to life, our leaders have devalued life and now have taken the authority to do away with life as they see fit. Life is precious, but legalized abortion devalues it!
Secondly, this plague deemphasizes God! When a nation makes a decision, like was made in Roe vs. Wade, it has escorted God out of the country. When tragic shootings, rape, drug abuse, etc. occur, people ask why. Why are all these things happening? Why are children killing children? Maybe we ought to be asking why adults have been legally killing babies for 40 years. When God is deemphasized, what else could we expect? We have asked God to leave our nation! Sadly, unless we repent, our future is sure (Proverbs 11:11; 14:34)! God is the only hope this country or any other country has! Thus, by deemphasizing God, our nation has become exceedingly sinful and is getting worse. God is the answer, but legalized abortion deemphasizes God!
Thirdly, this plague demoralizes America! Sin breeds sin! In fact, the people of Isaiah’s day were so rebellious that they added “sin to sin” (Isaiah 30:1). Sadly, that is exactly what legalized abortion has done to America. Sins like euthanasia, after-birth abortion, and other atrocities are much more easily committed in a nation that has lost its moral compass! Homosexuality, for example, is now being flaunted and applauded because of a demoralized America. All sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Morality and scruples have all but vanished, and legalized abortion is the tinder that started the inferno!
Sadly, the forty-year plague looms over America and darkens each day. Our eyes should be tear-filled, our hearts broken and our hands folded in penitent prayer due to the atrocity of Roe vs. Wade. May God grant each Christian the courage to no longer be silent, but to sound forth Jesus’ message. Please God, bless America again, is the plea of many; however, maybe our plea should be, please God help us to stop this plague, so you can once again bless our country. Another 40 years of the same plague is sure, unless Christians rise up! “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted…” (Proverbs 11:11).
[Editor’s Note: Amen, Amen! Successful politics eventually tramples the scruples of God-fearing people when the multitude chases after evil. How long can the platform of any political party continue to champion biblically compatible ethics when it continues to lose at the polls? How long will it be before even these politicians conclude that the analysis is correct that unless they jettison their conscientious objections to such things as abortion they will be marginalized politically? Even so, the faithful child of God must continue to vote as well as voice himself or herself for God rather than for the Devil! Where do you cast your votes and for whom do you declare your allegiance – God or Satan? ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
Therman Hodge
The way to heaven is straight and narrow (Matthew 7:13-14), but wrong ways may seem right to those who do not know or believe the truth (Proverbs 14:12; 21:2; 28:26). However, there is a way revealed in the Bible that is right and cannot be wrong. It is also the way of peace and unity (John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Romans 14:9).
It cannot be wrong to accept the Bible as an infallible and all-sufficient guide in all matters of religion (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:3). Faith in Christ as the Son of God cannot be wrong (Matthew 16:13-18; Acts 2:36-41). In addition, it cannot be wrong for sinners to repent of all sins (2 Peter 3:9; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Acts 3:19; 17:30). It cannot be wrong to be baptized upon a confession of faith in Christ to become simply a member of the Lord’s church (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-39; 2:37-41, 47; 22:16; Mark 16:15-16). It cannot be wrong to baptize penitent believers instead of unbelieving infants (Acts 2:36-41). It cannot be wrong for proper subjects to be immersed – buried and raised – in baptism (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:38-39).
It cannot be wrong to wear the name of Christ, the name “Christian” rather than some sectarian name (1 Peter 4:14-16; Acts 11:26; 26:28; James 2:7). It cannot be wrong to obey Christ in all things (Acts 3:22-23; Hebrews 5:8-9; 1 John 2:3-4; Luke 6:46). Faithful attendance at all services of the church cannot be wrong (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 14:23; James 4:17). It cannot be wrong for all the members of the church to liberally and cheerfully give according to their purpose of heart and prosperity (2 Corinthians 9:5-8; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3). It cannot be wrong to sing the praise of God in song in our worship without instruments of music (1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12). It cannot be wrong to eat the Lord’s Supper upon the first day of every week as the early Christians did (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20-34; 16:2). Ernest, fervent prayer cannot be wrong in Christian worship (Hebrews 13:15; Acts 2:42).
It cannot be wrong to be pure in heart and clean in life (Matthew 5:8; Titus 2:11-14; Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:19-22). It cannot be wrong to try to convert the world to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:22; Proverbs 11:30; 2 Corinthians 5:11; Acts 26:28; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20).
Each of the foregoing items has to do with pure, primitive Christianity. Let us call the world back to these principles and back to the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Jeremiah 6:16; Jude 3).