I see the lines of worry etched in almost every face I meet.
When we are angry or afraid we seldom make good decisions. A healthy dose of a deep breath goes a long way to correcting foolish behavior.
Do we have good reason for concern? You bet! Like at few times in our nation’s history our cherished freedoms stand on the precipice of total collapse. The first and second amendments are literally hanging by a thread.

How shall we respond? To think that armed protests at the capitals of all 50 states will somehow help to advance the cause of conservatives and Christians is to be badly self-deluded. Armed protest will only stoke fears and provide additional ammunition to those who would seize our cherished right to own firearms.
It will not ease tension and create goodwill it will only play into the narrative of those who would portray gun owners as hateful and scary. It may make you feel better, like you did something- but I guarantee you what you did was not helpful.

One of Napoleon’s maxims of warfare is: “if your enemy wants you to attack, don’t attack.” Lee, who was a student of Napoleon’s philosophy, forgot this at Gettysburg when against the counsel of his other General’s he attacked on ground of his foes choosing. He paid a fearful price.
I don’t use this illustration to align myself with the confederate cause in anyway- only to make a point. That point is: if your foe draws you out- it’s a trap, an ambush; it is not a good time to engage. Better to regroup, rethink and engage at a time and place more favorable.

So what are we to do? I propose several things. First, we need to engage our local leaders. We need to ask our local officials to stand up for us and our rights and encourage them that we will always have their backs if they do.
We need to enter into serious conversation and planning on the best ways to weather these times. As families and individuals we need to use our money as a weapon. We need to believe enough in freedom that we are willing to be inconvenienced by ending our use of platforms like twitter and Facebook. If 50% of the 75 million Christian and conservatives in America did so, we would speak loudly.

We need to stand and speak: charitably, candidly and loudly. We need to write letters, engage in conversation. We need to insert ourselves into every part of public discourse and policy and make our voice heard. If we don’t, it won’t be long and our voice chords will be cut and our voice will be silenced.
More than anything, we need to pray and turn from our own wicked ways seeking the Lord while He may be found.

Make no mistake, this is not a time to equivocate; it is time to stand and stand we must, and stand we shall- but in wisdom and winsomeness not like fools.
Because of grace,
Tim Moyer
Emmanuel Bible Church of Star Valley

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Romans 7:7
What does it mean to covet?
The Larger Westminster catechism explains it this way:

Q-146: Which is the 10th commandment?
A: Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbors.
Q-147: What are the duties required in the 10th commandment?
A: The duties required in the 10th commandment are, such a full contentment with our own condition, and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto, and further all that good which is his.
Q-148: What are the sins forbidden in the 10th commandment?
A: the sins forbidden in the 10th commandment are, discontentment with our own estate, envying, at the good of our neighbor, together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his.

Notice that this commandment, to a greater degree than the others goes to the core of our being.
It is not enough just to not steal- don’t covet what your neighbor possesses.
It is not enough to not commit adultery- don’t covet your neighbor’s spouse.
It is not enough to not murder- don’t hate your neighbor!

Now also notice- the Westminster catechism stresses contentment. What is this contentment? Is it wrong to desire to better ourselves or improve our condition? No, not at all. However, we must guard against making the increase of wealth our main concern in life or setting it up as the object of our hope. We also must guard against lustfully desiring what position, goods or lot in life God has entrusted to our neighbor.

The New Testament teaches productivity and investment. It teaches diligence and industriousness.
It takes for granted that the fruit of labor leads to the increase of goods. It only mandates that that increase is received with thanksgiving, charitableness and proper perspective.
To idolatrously hoard and lust after things is sin. On the other hand, to receive things from the Lord’s hand with gratefulness and charity is God glorifying.

The heart is the heart of the matter. Guard your heart.
Because of grace,
Tim

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