This Ain't the Promised Land
Hebrews 11:8-10 “By faith Abraham, when he
was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an
inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he
sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in
tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for
he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
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’ve said it numerous times before and I’ll say it once
again for it is important for Christians to remember—that although America, as
blessed as it is, simply is not the
Promised Land. Even though America was founded upon Christian principles,
yes, as President Obama recently said, “It is not a Christian nation”. Those
words brought the wrath of many in the Christian community. However, upon
carefully examining those words along with reading the headlines of our daily
newspapers, the ongoing and increasing violence, and blatant opposition to
biblical principles, especially by those considered to be role models for the
country, the conclusion must be that Mr. Obama’s statement was in fact, sad as
it is, true.
Even the Promised Land, that narrow strip of land along
the Mediterranean Sea, called Israel, is not our final home; certainly not the
one Abraham searched for. It is but the temporary dwelling place of God’s
Children (Israel) until He calls us home to the heavenly Jerusalem in Revelation 21:10. Just look and see all the
corruption and evil against Israel today.
Christians are noted for quoting Genesis 12:1-3 whereas
God called Abram out of his homeland to a place not described, promising that
all who bless Abram [Abraham] and his posterity [Israel] would surely be
blessed. For a fact, America has stood beside Israel through thick and thin,
thus resulting in the blessings of God being poured out upon her. Yet
throughout the years of being allied with Israel and reaping the blessings
promised; America is still not a “Christian” nation. Yes, there are many
Christians who live in this great country, but there are many who name the name
of Jesus, and profess to be Christian, but whose fruit fails the acid test.
Moreover there are a great many religions, in direct opposition to
Christianity, staking their claim of many souls, many of them as elected
officials of the country, thus reshaping the very nature of the country into
that which is barely recognized as Christian.
Simply put, we, as Christians, are like our spiritual
father Abraham; we have been called out of our homeland, and spend our days
looking for the same home as Abraham. We do in fact have a dual citizenship [in
a manner of speaking];
·
Our earthly home on this dirty little tennis
ball (as Haddon Robinson has termed it)—but in reality we only have a “green
card” or “work visa” until we are called to our heavenly abode.
·
Out true citizenship Eph.2:19 as
fellowcitizens with the saints of God. They also were in search of God’s city,
the same as Abraham’s.
Therefore, when it comes to voting in the elections it is
best to keep in mind that—this place is not our home—we’re just a passing
through [as the song says].
In 2008 I voted against Mr. Obama, not because of his race or skin color, but simply because of his affiliation with the Muslim community. However, based upon his track record as President I am inclined to reconsider. [Please don’t let my position influence your vote, as it is not my intention to do so].
In 2008 I voted against Mr. Obama, not because of his race or skin color, but simply because of his affiliation with the Muslim community. However, based upon his track record as President I am inclined to reconsider. [Please don’t let my position influence your vote, as it is not my intention to do so].
As in every election there are many issues which will
have a direct on all of us, one way or another. There are at least six points,
therefore, that are vital in every election:
1. Keep
in mind that this is not our heavenly
home; we are not the Promised Land.
2. Every
issue may seem valid, but some are more devastating than others.
3. Man,
as intelligent as he may seem; usually creates more problems than he solves.
4. Therefore,
there is no silver bullet to solve any issue [only God has the silver bullets,
He will use them in the end of time].
5. As
heartbreaking and depressing as it may seem, we all have the obligation to do
our research on the issues as best we can to vote our heart.
6. 2Cor.11:3
tells us that there is simplicity in Christ; as a result we need to find the
“end result” or “end of the matter” Ps.37:37,38; Pr.5:4; Pr.14:12. When
weighing issues and candidates, we must seek the “end of the matter” which may
or may not be easy.
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