Heart Change

2019 is going to be a tumultuous year here in the USA. In many ways, much of the country believes we have begun to move forward in a positive away by our embracing social movements such as Black Lives Matter, the ME TOO movement, Anti-Capitalism, the Feminists movement, LGBTQ, Occupy, Pro-Choice, etc. Do we really believe these social movements can move us in the right direction to heal our land? We couldn't be more blind. Where is discernment? 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people (that's the Christian) which are called by my Name (the born-again believer's) 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." Changing laws will never change hearts! Mark 7:21-23 teaches that the problems of man are not external, but internal: "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within and defile a man." Changing laws might get us compliance, but it will never change our hearts! As Christians we must be "sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He's doing a good job too.

There are no social movements that address the spiritual side of human nature or the degree of corruption as human beings. Think about it. Even if any of these groups or even the President himself had free reign to enact any and every law or educational reform they desire, do you honestly think it would solve our problems here, or much more, that of the world? It wouldn't even scratch the surface! Our problems are much deeper than that. The problem with humanity is not in what political party we think has the answers, it isn't found in the color of our skin, our opinion regarding pro-choice or pro-life, or what lifestyle we choose for ourselves, etc. Our problem is so much deeper. It is spiritual! Until we fix the inner man, the outer man will continue to fight, hate, war, lose his compass and fall deeper into depravity. Ephesians 5:15-16, "See then that you walk circumspectly (considering everything carefully), not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time (making the most of it), because the days are evil"

There is nothing wrong with desiring or working for social justice, but we shouldn't be under the illusion that we are wise enough as fallen human beings to believe we can bring it about perfectly, or even well. There is no doubt we need justice, healing, renewal, and a reversal in the direction we're headed. But we will never affect lasting, positive, healing change with ALL LAW and no Gospel. Why? Besides what I mentioned about the Gospel pointing out that our problems begin within mankind, changing laws alone, a kind of "moralism" always ends up whatever people say it is -- for instance, the word diversity. Diversity when referring to the LGBTQ community is the attempt to include all people as equally moral and has, therefore by definition, allowed one segment of the population to force another segment of society to accept a law that contradicts their 'religious' convictions and beliefs. By dictating and forcing into law a twisted meaning of 'diversity' by one liberal group and defining it as moral and not contrary to biblical concepts, you've only created more problems. Laws will never work for everyone unless the heart is changed first! And that's our problem, isn't it? We are becoming a Godless society. We are excluding God from everything! We cannot deny it. These are truly perilous times we are living in. Just look at the news or do something as simple as scrolling through the news feed on your Face book page.

Courts have taken prayer out of our classrooms and public institutions. The 10 Commandments have been removed from parks, schools, and courthouses. It's a reflection of the hearts in this country! Through the banner of separation of church and state and political correctness, many institutions have succeeded in removing God from the essence of our American society. And because of this, our society has broken down and our country lacks biblical and moral principals to guide them in their decision making. In their haughtiness, they declare, "There is no God!" Psalm 10: 4-11 "The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek HIM. All his thoughts are, 'There is no God.' Our hearts have become altogether empty. We supply all of our physical wants and desires, yet neglect the very thing that sustains mans world ... GOD. The symptoms of our brokenness are spiritual apathy, selfishness, religious extremism, perversion of all kinds, violence, and terrorism. The list is longer but I'll stop right there. However, we know from Scripture that when light stands in the darkness, darkness flees! Light always wins. Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world" THAT TELLS US RIGHT THERE WE NEED JESUS (to defeat darkness, evil, hatred, violence, etc), yet when you tell the world this they label you as a religious nut. Jesus even went on to say, "He who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). No social justice movement will ever solve the world's problems. They will forever remain judgmental, intolerant, unforgiving, and continue to demand their ways through their violence.

Fortunately, we know from Joel 2:25 that God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. We need change ... a change of heart, and that for the Lord. We may live in dark times, but we have hope because LIGHT ALWAYS WINS! At our lowest points, God is our strength. God calls His people to be patient; He's got this. It's really difficult sometimes when such darkness has taken over and the social justice movements attack all that is spiritual and self-righteously declare that we are evil but they are the change the world needs. Such haughtiness is self-deception and is the basis for much of the tyranny that has taken place in this country! We need to pray like never before because not only is our country under attack but the entire world! We are teetering on the edge without God. The chaos is obvious. We are falling apart at the seams: there is social decadence, the feminism of men, the killing of babies is now considered acceptable at the moment of birth, we can see the indoctrination of socialism, our southern border is being invaded by 7,500 immigrants a months which our broken system cannot handle, there are nuclear weapons in the hands of mad-men, child-trafficking, on and on. Sometimes all the chaos makes me want to leave this world, but Jesus Himself prayed to God and said, "I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one" (John 17:15). Do you know why Jesus prayed that? Because WE are the Light of the world. With Jesus living in us, it is through our prayers, our testimony, our love that will save people and perhaps make a godly impact on society until Jesus comes to judge and restore all.
Until next time,
-Pat-