Moving Forward on Independence Day
By Betty Fritz
In the wake of the SCOTUS decision last week and as the world around us changes so dramatically, we might find ourselves saddened, hurt, disheartened…or even angry. It might seem like the very foundation of our country…a country built on the solid rock of Christian faith and brotherly love….is crumbling. Why do so many seem to be moving away from Godly beliefs and falling in with this “New World Order”?
But wait a minute….is our foundation and belief system built on America?…or on any country? Is our hope based on the laws of a sinking land? If so it’s time we move on…to higher ground. As Christians, our hope and security is built on something much more solid than earth’s winding roads and shifting sand! Christ is the solid rock on which we stand…and He cannot be moved. If our hope is in people, we’re sure to be disappointed. No one is truly his brother’s keeper and no one can protect us…our bodies maybe….but not our lives or our souls….No one but Jesus!
There are lots of things wrong in our world. So many people wandering out in sin…totally unaware of the dangers surrounding them…the evil waiting to claim their very souls. Oh, they’ve been told. The Gospel has been spread throughout the world. Due to the diligent work of a few, a nation of many HAS been told…but so many refuse to listen. As in the days of Noah, when they laughed at him for building the ark, people scoff at us who warn of Christ’s return and the wages of sin.
What are we to do when men turn away from God and make laws that go against everything we know to be right? The answer can be found in the book of Romans. First and foremost we are told not to judge. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” We have been overly reminded of the adage: “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” Most of us try to do this, but I’ll admit it is hard not to feel anger and disappointment that so many…even those who profess to be Christians….are so supportive and accepting of something the Bible clearly says is sin. How can this be, when we all profess to follow the same God…the same scriptures?
We must accept the fact that some we love, even within our own families, have chosen to live their lives in same-sex relationships. We can accept this, in order to have peace, but we don’t have to condone it or expect everyone else to believe it’s right. Our prayers should still be for their salvation and acceptance of God’s way….one man and one woman…. or abstinence.
We too once walked in unbelief and only through God’s mercy found forgiveness. Only with His love and grace have we overcome the power of our own sin…and we still are far from perfect. We are told (also in Romans) to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and to continue instant in prayer. “Be of the same mind one toward another.” Romans 12:16.
I especially like verse 18 of Romans 12: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” If it be possible…God knew it would not be easy…as much as lieth in you…it might take all our strength…to live peaceably with all men. But we must try. Even Jesus became angry when He saw the temple, God’s house, being used by the moneychangers. He overturned their tables and chairs and tossed them out. Some refer to this as righteous anger. We’ve all felt it, I’m sure. If we love God and our country we feel it every time He is mocked or His commandments removed from some place of public display. Maybe it’s time to turn some tables and take our country back… But it must be done with His guidance and with much prayer. Together we can make a difference.
As Christians we need to present a united front. Romans 14 says: “Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.” We should not argue about certain doctrines and practices within different denominations. These things have nothing to do with bringing the lost to Christ and will only cause a stumbling block to new believers. Let us not, as we often see politicians and some believers do, walk back on our beliefs. We must move forward standing firmly on Christ and his word and ” follow after the things which make for peace.” that we may “with one mind and one mouth, glorify God.” There is but one hope for all of us…and that is Jesus Christ. May this 4th of July be the beginning of America’s new independence…from evil.
My name is Betty Fritz. I was born and raised in Texas but have resided in Elkhart, Indiana for the last 25 years. My husband is a Hoosier so that’s how we wound up here. We have two daughters and a son plus 6 grand kids…..3 boys and 3 girls.
I retired last year after working for 24 years at Elkhart Child Development Center. I’ve been writing since a teenager and have taken several writing courses. I enjoy writing short stories. I wrote a book of poems, RHYMES OF THE TIMES, which was published a few years ago. I have written countless songs, a few for which demo recordings have been made. Recently I’ve been writing blogs..most of them about my faith and things the Lord has taught me in my Christian life over the last 51 years. My inspiration comes from my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and my desire to see that my grand children grow up in a Christian nation. My goal is to bring glory to Him and help others to see that there is POWER in the name of JESUS!