But here in America the lessons are not learned. The
man on the bench still thinks Islamic Terrorism is the primary threat. He
doesn't understand that his actions and those of his son are only making it
worse.
Fear and social polarization have entered and
overtaken the acculturated American Church. The Church now seems to function as
a socio-political force rather than a manifestation of God's Kingdom. It's all
jumbled and confused. As I'm often saying, watch the pronoun usage as you talk
to people. The use of 'us' and 'we' is rather telling. One moment they're
talking about America, the next moment the Church and no distinction is
made...it all runs together. For Christo-Americans they represent the 'real'
and 'true' America. Everyone else is an imposter or traitor.
This blending is what led medieval heresy to be
labeled as political treason. It all goes together. Today if you're a Democrat
or a liberal that identifies as a Christian, you're a heretic. Democrats and
liberals are also viewed as treasonous.
It has never occurred to the 'man on the bench' that
in fact he is the supreme traitor...not to America. He's bad for America but politically
he’s not a traitor. The Founding Fathers and the drafters of the Constitution might
view him as one, (and probably me too!) but debating that issue is probably a
waste of time.
But he is a traitor to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
We don't imprison or execute. We leave the Judgment to Christ at the End.
Instead what we are to do is break fellowship, put out of communion, cut off
from the signs and seals of covenant participation, and deliver to Satan those
who will not repent. (1 Corinthians 5, Matthew 18)
And cutting off may also from another perspective
look like us...'coming out' from among them and not partaking of their sins.
We should alienate ourselves from such people out of
love... with the hope that in knowing that Bible believers are rejecting them,
that there are those rejecting them because they stand on the Bible...they
might reconsider, repent and be restored.
But primarily it's for the purity of the Church and
out of a zeal and love for God.
I pity the man on the bench, and I need to love him.
But loving Christ far more I will not worship with him, identify with him in
any kind of Christian sense, and I will not endorse or sanction his views.
He is a threat to the nation because he endorses and
sanctions an Imperial System and militarism which have oppressed and murdered
people all around the world. Just because some good is occasionally done does
not negate the wickedness. His passive actions, his active acquiescence
endangers American social stability...which from my perspective endangers the
peace of Babylon where I live as an exile. My heart is not attached to Babylon
but if it implodes and there's blood in the streets then it hinders the
gospel...maybe just in the sense that it harms Christian families and love
grows cold. I don't think we should want citizens or neighbours like him.
He's a threat to the Church because he's a willing
participant in idolatry...bringing idols into the Church, blending Christianity
with pagan imperialism.
He's a threat to the Church because his son's death
is transformed into holy martyrdom. The booklet he gave me contains several
poems extolling the bravery and heroism of American soldiers and police, mixing
these praises with Psalms and other Bible verses. While I’m sure it brings a
tear to his eye, I find it to be sacrilege and quite dangerous.
He's a threat to the Church because he's a
blasphemer, he's a blind man leading the blind who has sacrificed his son to
Molech and thinks he does service for Christ.
These are harsh words, but is there a way to soften
this? When we look at the state of things is this a time for soft or evasive
rhetoric? I feel the hour is desperate and if I have to offend people to awaken
them, it’s a risk I’ll take. We need to understand what this threat is to the
Church...represented by a tearful father on mall bench.
Spiritually speaking, I'm afraid he's an enemy and
though I want to protect the Church from people like him...I need to show love
and compassion...humanity. I think we have a duty to try and gently show these
people where they err. 2 Timothy says:
24
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men,
apt to teach, patient,
25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure
will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who
are taken captive by him at his will.
But Titus 3 also says:
10 A man that is an heretic after the first
and second admonition reject;
11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted,
and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
to be continued...