During these times of accusation, turmoil and uncertainty; I thought it good to remind us all of some civics.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Amendment I, the U.S. Constitution

It has been often noted that the first right expressed in our Bill of rights is the freedom of Religion.
This freedom is foundational to all the rest and on it hangs the strength of our Republic. Without it we would quickly degrade into a swamp of competing interests and radical individualism- a place we are quickly going as this freedom is under relentless attack.

Following on this right is the right of all citizens to freely speak their minds, the press to function without fear and the people to assemble and even seek a redress for wrongs suffered at the hands of government. Interestingly, our founders wisely followed this amendment with the second amendment to give the people the means to enforce it.

During recent years the American people have become increasingly cynical of a press that seems to merely parrot and promote the progressive agenda of elitist leftists who seek to remake our Republic.
After taking over the French republic, Napoleon quipped: “Controlled by the government, a free press becomes a strong ally.” In this oxymoronic statement Napoleon links a “free press” with government control- a statement that almost mirrors exactly where we find ourselves today in America.

So, where does this leave us? It leaves us at a time where the church needs to find its voice again and speak boldly and powerfully.
We stand on the precipice of events that could quickly spiral into the coercive restriction upon almost every one of the rights that were recognized by our founders in the Bill of Rights.

Free speech is being undermined by public shaming of those who do not parrot the partly line. Freedom of assembly is undermined by heavy handed restrictions enacted for our own good in times of crisis.
Those who speak with a different voice are quickly eliminated from social media platforms, and Christian groups that stay committed to Biblical morality are the objects of scorn and derision.

Screw down your hat- this one might buck. It might be more than an 8 second ride.
Because of grace,
Tim

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The truth we have before us is not negotiable and nonessential- it is the clear purpose for which Christ died- to make us righteous, not only by declaration (justification) but also in reality (sanctification).
It is not like justification is the basic Amazon package and sanctification is Amazon prime- both will do but one’s just a little bit more expensive and only for the select few. No, this truth is for all God’s children!

The sixth chapter of Romans has often been called the emancipation proclamation of the believer. In this chapter the apostle Paul clearly demonstrates the means of the believer’s victory over sin. Paul nowhere asserts that that victory is either automatic or easy.
Sin is a horrible taskmaster that binds us in its clutches. Although we have died to it with Christ; nevertheless our sin nature kicks and screams and fusses like a spoiled child to try to get us to yield to it. Some of the important words in this chapter are:
Baptism (3,4)
United (v.5)
Know (v.3,6,9,16)
Present (v. 12,16,19)

The chapter finds its structure in the use of questions. Paul foresees various objections to free grace that his readers might raise. Putting himself in their place, he asks 6 questions as the chapter progresses and then uses the answers to those 6 questions to present the truth as to how we as believers are to be victorious over sin.

While this victory is available to all of us in Christ; it is obvious that many times we do not make use of it.
The question we have to ask ourselves is: why? Perhaps it is because we do not know the truth. Jesus says: “It is the truth that makes us free”. Perhaps it is because although we know the truth- we are not yielding and presenting ourselves to God. Either way, our failure reflects badly on our Father and our defeat grieves the Spirit. Our sin is what Jesus died to destroy- He is moving Heaven and earth to accomplish that goal. He will have us holy- or He will not have us at all.

Because of grace,
Tim

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The American dream is built upon the equality of all men. In many places and in many ways, our founding documents and founding fathers espoused this doctrine. Although America has always had its blemishes and sin’s; nevertheless its constant aspiration has been to lift up the down trodden and to care for the needy. Regardless of race or creed. These are some of the things that make America Great.

Where did this belief in equality come from? It didn’t suddenly arise from a vacuum and it sure did not rise from the enlightened thinking of European rationalism. It came from the Bible and from Christianity.

The purpose for which Puritan Pilgrims came to these shores seeking freedom was to advance the Kingdom of Christ. This was clearly stated in the Mayflower Compact as well as other early documents. In 1643, some 30 years after the Mayflower and founding of Plymouth; the 4 existing colonies banded together in a loose Confederation pledging to each other mutual support and defense. In the Articles of Confederation which they drew up they begin with these words:

“Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy the liberties of the gospel in purity and peace…”

It is clear from these statements that these simple believers were coming to these shores for one purpose- to Advance Christ’s Kingdom. As we look back at these past 400 years and compare our world with theirs- it is clear that the Lord has blessed the fruits of their efforts. Yes, the kingdom of darkness has not been idle. Yes, the Devil and his fiends have been active sowing tares among the wheat. And yes, many times even Christ’s church has failed to be the salt and light of the world that we desire to be. But O how vastly different things are in this world because of Pilgrim faith to plant seeds of freedom. The Kingdom has advanced.

There are souls yet to reach, there are elect yet to come into the fold, but Advance it has. May it be so in years yet to come.

Because of grace,
Tim

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