Culture

Lead On, O King Eternal

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“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” -Psalm 90:12

Thousands gathered on Sunday at the State Farm stadium in Arizona to remember Charlie Kirk. More were across the street in an overflow location, while the rest of us watched from our living rooms. The scene displayed worship of God and patriotism for America, neither of which we are to be ashamed of. There is room to have a high view of God and gratitude for the country we live in without it becoming idolatrous.

When someone young dies, it makes people stop and consider their own mortality. “If he died so young, then it can happen to me too”. The reality of living under the curse of sin is that death doesn’t have an age number. So the question to consider is, what will we do with the time God has given us?

In Psalm 90, the first psalm written and the only one penned by Moses, we are encouraged to consider how to live our lives well. Moses is writing this at the end of his full 120 year life. He has witnessed an untold number of deaths as an entire generation died in the wilderness. He understood life is short and filled with pain. His prayer is to have wisdom while on earth and to live out the beauty of holiness. The answer to his prayer comes at the end when he pleads, “Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. May Your deeds be shown to Your servants, Your splendor to their children. May the beauty of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands” (vv. 14-17). The way to live our lives with wisdom instead of wasting it is to learn how to be satisfied in God alone. This is what enduring joy looks like.

No matter what circumstances we face, enduring joy comes from remembering God’s presence with us always and standing upon the promises of the Bible. For the Christian, the bedrock of His presence and promises came from Calvary. When we live with eternity in view and can say Jesus is enough for us, humility and boldness for Christ will follow. A friend of Kirk’s who is not a professing Christian commented that Charlie was a “joyful warrior”. When you die, will others have to speak of Jesus when they talk about you because He was in everything you did and said?

My prayer is that spiritual revival will spread in this nation and across the world. Seeds were planted on Sunday as the gospel was shared by many speakers. I pray it will take root. The death of Charlie Kirk is an eye opener that this war is spiritual, masked in culture and politics. It is bigger than us, but we serve a big God. We can be faithful to do the works God has prepared for us by simply doing the next right thing out of love for Jesus. My personal world is very small, homeschooling my son with autism. Part of God’s plan for me is to teach him the truth about Jesus through songs of praise, Bible stories and even by my flawed example. Whether you are constantly surrounded by people or less visible in the world, God can and will use you if you surrender to His will of obedience. I pray God gives us more opportunities to share the gospel, encourage other believers to persevere, and disciple those in our sphere of influence.

You were made for such a time as this. It is not an accident that you live where you live, have a certain job or know the people you know. In Kirk’s last interview, just an hour before he was shot, he was asked what life quote he lives by. He answered with Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” The Lord is at work. Let’s join Him as He leads on. Matthew Henry in his commentary on Psalm 90 notes, “Let us pray that the work of the Holy Spirit may appear in converting our hearts, and that the beauty of holiness may be seen in our conduct.” Our enduring joy for now will one day lead to eternal joy if we do not give up. Keep going beloved Christian, imitating the faith of saints who have gone before us.

Grace upon grace,

April

A helpful understanding of Psalm 90 🙂

Our Turning Point

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“Yet is is far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness.” -W.L. Watkinson

It has been one week since Charlie Kirk was murdered. He was a force for good in politics, promoting civil discourse, patriotism and Biblical values. More than just a conservative activist, Charlie was a man of faith. He was a soldier for the Lord Jesus Christ first and foremost. As Abigail Dodd noted, Kirk was “a man in the arena”, alluding to the famous speech by Theodore Roosevelt. Charlie understood that we don’t stop fighting for freedom, namely religious freedom and freedom of speech. These gifts are never to be taken for granted. It is not lost on many of us that he wore a t-shirt with the simple but powerful word, ‘Freedom’, the day he was shot.

This man in the arena lived out his faith by going into the lion’s den of some of the most hostile and liberal universities. He went there to engage dialogue on political and cultural hot topics, but his main purpose was always to point people back to basic Biblical truths. Men and women are biologically different, all of life is sacred created in the image of God, go to church, get married, have families, were constantly woven into his talks. He was an apologist, defending the validity of Jesus’ bodily resurrection, the accuracy of Scripture and why Christianity is the only religion that improves civilization. Charlie Kirk evangelized the Christian faith under the job description of activist. Less than three months before his death, Kirk was asked in an interview what he wanted to be most known for when he was gone. He thoughtfully replied, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing; most important thing is my faith.”

Two passages in Scripture came to mind following the news of Charlie’s death. John 15:18-21 speaks of how Christians should expect hatred from the unbelieving world. Typically in the West, being persecuted for your faith looks like cancel culture, losing a job promotion, rejection from peers or even family. It normally doesn’t require losing your life. Yet that is exactly what happened to Charlie which is why his martyrdom is such a big deal. If you can be killed for your faith, for speaking freely and truthfully in the freest country in the world, then nowhere is off limits. Believers know this is what we have signed up for. It is not an easy path, but the Bible says if anyone wants to follow Christ he must “deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25). For the Christian, our lives are no longer our own, but bought with the precious blood of Christ. For most of us, it will require courage and obedience just to get up each day and live out the truth we know, dying to selfish desires. But it might cost us everything, like it did for Charlie.

The other passage in Scripture that keeps coming to mind is in Ephesians 6, “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (vv. 11-13). Spiritual warfare has always been a reality this side of Heaven, but there are times in history which are like needles that burst our bubbles of acceptance in this world or assumed safety. This is one of those moments, a turning point, that draws a line in the sand of standing for truth. We either tell people Jesus Christ died for sinners, defeating death and is Lord of all like Charlie did, or retreat in silence and cowardice. An event like this can help refine our own faith, eroding the fear of man and death out of our hearts. Jesus reminds us to “not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Vigils instead of violence have filled universities across America, and in cities around the world like London and Sydney. Martyrdom doesn’t kill the message, it makes it spread like wildfire. Believers are rightly evaluating their own lives in how each of us are living out the gospel faithfully right where we are. Will we talk with co-workers, neighbors, family, friends and strangers even about the hope we have? Have we been doing the work God has called us to? Unbelievers may be considering for the first time their own mortality and eternity. People who consider themselves religious but not zealous might be open to hearing why you are completely sold out for Jesus. Isn’t it just like God to use the death of one of His children to spread the gospel even further?

Charlie Kirk carried a torch that is now passed on to us. Whether you’re 10 or 90, all of us can live with boldness and mercy toward others. His death is a call for all Christians to shine their lights brightly by staying faithful in speaking the truth with love, discipling and serving others for the glory of God. It wasn’t just a call on Charlie’s life although God had a specific purpose for him, as He does for you. But we follow Charlie’s example of evangelism because he followed Jesus’ example. The question is, are we ready? Have we woken up yet?

Grace upon grace,

April

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” -Ephesians 5:13-16

Remembering Charlie Kirk

/ RedeemedInGrace / 2 Comments

1993-2025

Q: What is your only comfort in life and death?

A: That I am not my own, but belong- body and soul, in life and in death- to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ.

–Heidelberg Catechism

Charlie Kirk, a conservative voice and an American patriot who founded Turning Point USA, was assassinated yesterday in the middle of a Utah college campus crowd. He will be sorely missed for his courage to articulate not only conservative values, but the gospel to millions. Not many are willing to speak up for what is true, for fear of backlash, and Charlie paid the ultimate price with his life leaving behind a wife, two small children, family, friends and a country he impacted for good. I thank God for his example and pray He will raise up more Christians to boldly declare what is true, exposing lies with love and self-control as Charlie did.

Grace upon grace,

April

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” -Titus 2:11-14

How Great Thou Art

/ RedeemedInGrace / 2 Comments

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.” -Doxology

In the early morning hours after Election Day, Donald Trump was declared the 47th President of the United States of America. A group of his supporters broke out in praise singing the hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’. Along with a Republican presidency, the party will gain control of the Senate and most likely the House of Representatives. It was a clean sweep. If the elections results had to be summed up in a few words it would be this: God spared us. He spared us from a Harris administration that would have signed abortion back into federal law. Notably, Trump out-performed all across the board with Hispanics, African Americans, Orthodox Jews, young men and women, and voters with no religious affiliation at all. Even pagans can see that inflation, open borders, boys in girls’ sports, and sex change operations on minors is a bad idea!

Donald Trump is still a flawed candidate, namely because he is a sinner just like everyone else. So I don’t think it is appropriate to assume he can do no wrong and now the country is “saved”. But we can celebrate this earthly blessing rightly viewed, as God’s mercy on America. He could have handed this nation over to the most liberal, progressive and wicked agenda in the history of our country, and be right in doing so. But the Lord in His grace did not. Just as we celebrate weddings, the birth of our children, getting a new job or promotion, and birthdays, this political win is cause for thanksgiving. I don’t believe that is considered idolatry. As Christians, we get to enjoy our temporal blessings, while keeping an eternal perspective.

I also think this does not mean Christians can check out and coast the next four years. Sadly, the majority of states which voted to keep abortion practices in place succeeded. There is still work to do in swaying public opinion on the evil of the Silent Holocaust. Believers are salt and light whenever and wherever God has placed us, which means we pray and speak. Those who hate the outcome of this election are already speaking (yelling and crying) loudly, so it is prudent for Christians to pray. Here are a few things to pray for:

-Salvation for Donald Trump and all elected leaders

-Wisdom for him to lead this country in peace, prosperity, promoting good

-To surround himself with godly counsel

-An end to abortion

-Repentance and spiritual revival in America

-bold and humble Christians

Of course there are many other things we can and should pray for in this country, but this short list can serve as a guide. Never have I been more convinced of the spiritual warfare being played out right before our eyes. Satan is at work, but so is God. The Lord’s purposes will not be thwarted. He uses whatever means to accomplish His will, for His glory and our ultimate good. Praise God.

Grace upon grace,

April

*This is a testimony from a woman who survived a saline abortion when her mother was 7 1/2 months pregnant with her. It is an amazing story. She is using her story to tell others the horrors of infanticide and glorify Jesus.

Are You Salty?

/ RedeemedInGrace / 2 Comments

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” -Matthew 5:13

Imagine with me for a moment there was no such thing as salt. No salt to flavor your food. No salt to preserve meat, heal wounds, or use as a cleansing agent. Now imagine there were no such thing as Christians. No one to tell you, or anyone, about the remedy for our sinfulness. No one to be used by God as His hands and feet, restraining evil, healing, serving, or ministering to others. The world would still go on, but in a very shallow, hopeless, chaotic existence.

But God had a plan. Not only did He make a way for sinners to have eternal fellowship with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ, He then gave those same redeemed sinners a job to do. The Lord equates believers with salt in the Bible, because we are to be preservers of righteousness in the times and places God has put us, from worldwide apostasy.

In the book of Esther, the name of God is never mentioned, yet His providence is on full display. Queen Esther has been told by Mordecai of Haman’s wicked plan to slaughter all Jews in Persia. She responds with trepidation, knowing that anyone who approaches the king unannounced is liable to death. Mordecai answers her, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” (4:13-14).

Esther then asks Mordecai and all the Jews to pray and fast for three days, then she will go to the king. She ends her speech with these famous words, “And if I perish, I perish.” In this historical account, God used a Jewish woman blessed with a position of influence, to deliver the Jews from annihilation. Orthodox Jews today celebrate this momentous occasion with a festival, known as Purim.

God used Esther as a means of restraining evil in her time, and He does the same today with His people. Christians are tools in the hands of God to be used by Him as He sees fit. This includes evangelism and discipleship, but also living faithfully in your own home, raising children in the fear of the Lord, stewarding the time and resources you have to glorify God. The prophet Jeremiah told the people of Israel to do this while living as exiles in Babylon. He also told them to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I (God) have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). They were living in a pagan place and yet God commands them to do good right where He planted them.

Americans have been abundantly blessed with prosperity and personal freedoms. Sadly, those privileges are often taken for granted, compartmentalized from the Christian faith. Who allowed these blessings in the first place if not God? It is not unspiritual or doltish to be concerned with the affairs of the public sphere. Every Christian has a duty to be aware and informed so that we can rightly promote peace and prosperity where God has placed us. If believers are to be salt in a tasteless world, then we are to use the means given to us to be preservative agents of righteousness. Under the constitutional republic, voting is one of the privileges we have in this country to do the best good out of the choices given. We need to pray for godly leadership in government. But if godly people neglect their spiritual responsibility to lead, the godless will. To “let go and let God” is a passive attitude many Christians take, even though they would never utter this unbiblical saying. It is exactly this worldview that has led our country to choose between two immoral people.

The judgment on our country should shake every believer awake. Have we been the salt God commanded us to be? Are we growing in our personal fellowship with the Lord? Or do we distract ourselves with lesser things? Have Christians spoken against the slaughter of children in the womb or kept silent? Have we openly shared our faith in the public square or left that up to other Christians? It might be costly. In fact, I’m sure it is, but that doesn’t mean we shy away from what God commands. Every single Christian is called to live as ambassadors in a pagan land that will mock, reject and push back against God’s laws.

In our sin nature, anything can become an idol. Our spouse, children, material wealth, job, reputation and even politics. All Baals must be smashed and all blessings viewed in their rightful place. A right order of affections is required, with God above everything else. However, you and I have been born in a time and place where we are to be salty Christians. Be an Esther. This includes voting the lesser of the two evils on Election Day. We are not voting for a pastor, but a politician. It is disheartening that Donald Trump has waffled on conservative issues, like abortion, and moved to a moderate position. But he did appoint three Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. He is strong on issues like the economy, immigration and foreign policy. The American people have already had a taste of what a Kamala Harris term looks like under the current administration, who views all Trump supporters as “garbage”. Harris’ record bears out her harmful progressive values and she stands behind them.

We should not naively think that because this is America we are immune from having all our liberties stripped away. God can do what He wants. This may include the fall of America, and it might be for our good. Americans have rejected God for so long, doing what is right in our own eyes, that repentance and revival come by way of bringing the nation low. But if God should choose to have mercy on us, He will do so and Christians can take part by carrying out our civic duty in voting and through prayer. Since all of life is worship, then our actions through voting and prayer are both important.

Even as I make this argument the obvious needs to be said: This world is not our home, and yet, we do have to live on earth until Christ returns or we go to be with Him through death. Only Jesus can save, satisfy and sustain us completely. But in His wisdom, God uses people to bring about His purposes. The mystery of God’s Sovereignty and man’s will means we cooperate with Him, leaving the results in His Hands. Even if the election outcome is disappointing, we can have a clear conscience knowing we voted for the better option. Choosing not to vote isn’t neutrality, but a passive choice of escaping responsibility to steward a privilege all American citizens have.

If Esther had chosen to shirk her responsibility, the Lord would have used another way to deliver the Jews. The same is true for Christians today. Whether you choose to vote or not, God’s purposes will be carried out. Yet every one of us will have to give an account for our actions here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:10). Dear Christian, live salty lives so that no one will mistake you for anything less than a hope filled Christ follower. We are called to preserve our culture from societal decay. This includes promoting the welfare of others in the Babylon we live in by voting for the best candidate who will restrain evil. As J. I. Packer once said, “Trust God and get going”.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper : Psalm 94; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:12

Ode to Joy

/ RedeemedInGrace / 2 Comments

I stumbled upon a video the other day of something I have never seen before. It appears to be just one musician in a public square, playing for a little girl who places a coin in his hat. He begins to play Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and what happens in the next few minutes is beautiful. I won’t spoil it for you, except to say it reminds me a bit of what Heaven is like. The Christian hymn Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee, written by Henry Van Dyke, is set to the music from Ode to Joy. I couldn’t help but think of those words during this video. Think of it, one day thousands upon thousands of Christians will lift up our voices in song to praise our Heavenly Father. Heaven is not at all boring contrary to the lies we’ve been sold in our culture. We won’t be sitting on marshmallow clouds plucking harps, yawning away the day. Heaven is one big adventure without sin entangling us. Like Adam and Eve in the Garden, we too will enjoy sweet, unhindered fellowship with our Creator. I believe we will get to explore the new Heaven and new Earth, just as our first parents had free reign over God’s Creation except of the one tree. But I digress…

Even though this video is an orchestrated ad for a Spanish banking company, I was moved to tears nonetheless. 

Here is the video: Ode to Joy

Grace upon grace,

April

A Day to Give Thanks

/ RedeemedInGrace / 2 Comments

June 24, 2022 was a day for celebration when Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. America has celebrated her independence as a nation every year on July 4th since 1776. Sadly, there are American Christians today acknowledging these landmark occasions with a tepid response. Ever since Donald Trump entered the White House, a group of academic theologians (along with mainstream media) formed a vocal stand against his presidency. His moral failings were too visible, his charisma rating too low. This man was hated by the hard left, a source of embarrassment to many on the right. And yet God saw fit to use this former tv reality star/millionaire, a loose canon, to enforce moral law, or at the very least stand with morality. When do you remember another president attending a pro-life rally? Well, Trump was the first president to do so. God then providentially gives this same man the power to appoint three Supreme Court Justices over his four year term. Those justices went on to overrule the legality of abortion on the federal government level, thereby overturning Roe v. Wade.

Christians should have united together in celebration after the last few years of intense cracked fault lines in the Church. We have not seen eye to eye on Critical Race Theory, Covid mandates or what to do about the Southern Baptist Convention. But this- the ending of free reign on child murder, the thousands of people who have fought and prayed for decades, for voters to finally decide in each state and not a heavy-handed government interpreting what existence is through bogus arguments- abortion is finally receding into the shadows and where was the party?

Twitter did not blow up with shouts of praise that fateful June day, at least not from the cultural Christian elites. Some churches did not even publicly praise God for His mercy on the unborn generations. If anything, there was an obligatory whisper of thanksgiving sandwiched somewhere in the prayer of general blessings. We have prayed more for the war on Ukraine from the pulpit than praised God for this victory in ending the war against unborn children in our own country. 

The connection between the lukewarm celebrations in the overturn of Roe v. Wade and Independence Day is stemmed I believe, from ungrateful hearts. “Christian nationalism” is used as a slur toward Christians who openly thank God for the blessings on America. This does not mean we worship our country and replace God’s rightful authority, nor does it mean patriotic believers are looking for a political Messiah. But the spirit of the age is to hate all America stands for, which happens to be rooted in Biblical morals, and reconstruct it with anti-Biblical policies. At the very least we seem embarrassed by our citizenship. Yes, there are stains of sin in America’s history just like every other nation. America has never been so self-righteous as to not acknowledge this. Quite the opposite, as many Americans have sought to abolish, rectify and heal the wrongs done specifically with slavery and racial injustices of the past. Yet some loud voices of today would have us move backward in history to carry guilt we are not culpable for, and create disunity from a false reality in 2022. 

We who live in America have a lot to be thankful for. I have personally never known anything but a free country. I can go to the grocery store and see stocked shelves, buy whatever I need or want. You and I can attend church without fear of imprisonment or losing our lives. We can speak freely in the public square. We have the privilege to vote for leaders we think are best suited for the job. We have enjoyed decades of peacetime on American soil. 

I believe these abundant blessings have caused us to not only love the gifts more than the Giver, but to expect them. Just as the Israelites were given responsibility to keep God’s commands when He gave them the land of Canaan, so we too have a responsibility to be good stewards with what God has given us. Israel rejected God’s authority, allowing idolatry into their worship. The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah speak in great length about God’s discipline toward wayward Israel and His mercy to bring them back. God is just and compassionate. I am not saying America is the new Israel but I do think there are lessons to be learned from the past. It is good to look at history to see how man repeats his errors and what God does to restore fellowship. Ultimately, God redeems rebel hearted sinners through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. 

Let us not forget the Lord our God in this free land. The freedoms we enjoy are a blessing from God. We are to take these gifts with solemn responsibility and joy, not with a sense of entitlement or shame. May we repent of the sins of apathy and pride. God has seen fit to begin purging America of the evil of abortion- praise God! We have much to be thankful for in the United States. Let us not be ashamed of those blessings but rejoice. There is everything right and Christian in celebrating Independence Day. When Congress voted to approve the resolution for independence on July 2nd, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail,

The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.[8]

It wasn’t until two days later on July 4th when Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, the day we observe as a national holiday. 

God has shed His grace on this country. He alone is to be praised on this day as we celebrate freedom as a nation. Do not rob God the praise which is due Him. He works through unlikely men and women to accomplish his purposes. Who are we to keep silent, refusing to acknowledge His hand of mercy and grace? Take John Adam’s advice and observe this day with gratitude over God Almighty’s blessings on America. My husband and I have taken this weekend to watch the John Adams mini-series. It is well done and worth watching to remember God’s remarkable hand of providence in bringing about a nation which celebrates freedom and liberty. Praise God.

Grace upon grace,

April

‘America the Beautiful’ sung by Ray Charles

Growing deeper: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:15; Deuteronomy 4-11

Radically Ordinary

/ RedeemedInGrace / 2 Comments

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” -Edmund Burke 

The other day I was in a coffee shop waiting by the bar for my tall vanilla flat white. The gentleman working behind the counter solo began quietly singing a spiritual song as he crafted my caffeine. I couldn’t place the song, but heard phrases like, “Come, Lord Jesus”, “Hallelujah”, and “Coming soon”. It was a wonderful moment of kinship to realize the barista and I (hopefully) share the same faith, family and Father. He handed me my coffee and I thanked him adding, “Hey I like your singin’ too!”

It got me thinking about how Christians live in our culture today. When the LGBTQ “community” wants to identify themselves with their sex life, they wear rainbow colored t-shirts and accessories, or dress in drag. You know where they stand. This is true of any group- wearing a MAGA hat, donning a shirt with ‘I am black history’ or ‘Black Lives Matter’, sporting 2nd amendment rights, or a Choose Life bumper sticker- all speak volumes as walking billboards. But how do you spot a Christian stranger?

One reason I believe this country looks like Sodom and Gomorrah is because Christ followers in particular have acclimated, capitulated, and kept our heads down. Instead of heads up, shoulders back, smiling and speaking as God’s ambassadors, we have allowed the world to dictate what subjects are acceptable to talk about in our communities. Why is it polite society cannot comment on politics and religion? The topics go hand in hand as politics make policies that affect real people, reflecting the things we value as a society. Do we champion life in the womb or murder of an unborn child? Do we support homosexual marriages or Biblical marriages? Do we believe God created two genders, male and female, or 100 fluid “identities”?

Reformed Christian circles in particular have moved away from preaching these values to a muddled, merging with the world over the last ten years. We are no longer clear in where we stand on issues that should not be debatable as Christians. Instead of remaining set apart by using discernment in how we engage the culture, some have welcomed Vanity Fair with open arms inside the church walls. This is defended by well meaning church leaders as “loving” and “winsome”, all the while your unconverted neighbor remains content and oblivious in their sins because Christians have watered down truth, making it less offensive and more palatable for the general audience. It sends the message of not taking the Bible too seriously, because who would want a sermon when we can put on a show? Calling out sinful lifestyles is branded as judgmental and legalistic instead of what it actually is- loving someone enough to tell them they are about to fall off a cliff. The opposite of love is not hate but apathy. Even God has righteous hate over sin (as should we) but He is never apathetic. The definition of how we love our unbelieving neighbors has become skewed. In reality, mainstream Christian Reformers have morphed into another brand of a seeker sensitive church. The Christian’s response to all this confusion should not be unity at all costs (especially when that unity is tied to a secular world), but truth at all costs. Truth is what unifies believers from every tongue, tribe and nation. If we cannot stand together on God’s inerrant Word and the commands He gives us, then what is our foundation but sinking sand?

David Platt wrote a little book called Radical years ago about how Christians should sell everything and move overseas as missionaries. That was the gist of it. Shortly after that wave, Michael Horton came out with a book called Ordinary, arguing believers are called to stay faithful right where God has placed them to influence the spiritual landscape. It doesn’t mean some are not called to be missionaries overseas, but we need faithful Christian engineers, doctors, pastors and homemakers here too. I think Horton was on the right track, but Platt has a point too. What if Christians in the Western world were radically ordinary Christ followers? What does it look like?

Whatever your profession, we must live differently than the world by the choices we make. This is our antidote. How we spend our time and money, what we watch, read and listen to, all play a part in shaping how we think and feel. Most of the time the messaging is subtle, yet over time these choices influence our worldview. Whether it is watching ESPN (which has become culturally outspoken), Disney+, the 24/7 news cycle, or even a show on Netflix, we start to listen to the commentary or plot as Gospel truth instead of fact-checking with Scripture. Even when we know a statement or action is unbiblical, it may not affect us as much because Christians have become more tolerant, passive and apathetic to the sins which grieve our Holy Father. By choosing to think critically ourselves instead of absorbing whatever Twitter says, we can learn to swim against the current instead of drifting like jellyfish.

Ideas have consequences, good and bad. Christians since the Fall have needed discernment, and we are in dire need of it today. We as fallen humans are susceptible to fear, pride, gullibility, idolatry, and indulging self-love over servant-love. Our daily choices, however small they seem to us, can alter the culture we live in. Choosing to not shop at a store which brazenly promotes self-mutilation and the breakdown of nuclear families; knowing when to speak up and when to keep walking; turning a show off when the content is anti-God; thinking critically about current events instead of being swayed by our emotions; learning all the facts before listening to mob rule; voting for leaders who support Biblical values; daily feeding our spirits with Scripture; being Spirit-led and not gratifying the flesh; practicing a healthy prayer life; and fellowshipping with other believers, are just a few ways you and I can become radically ordinary Christians. 

Obedience is how we worship. Obedience then to what or whom is the question. Are we trying to satisfy the world and live like God fearing Christians? Its getting mighty hard to do the splits these days. In the Old Testament (1 & 2 Kings), even good kings left “the high places” for people to worship false gods. It was a compromise for fear of public opinion. The worship of idols was popular and ingrained into the culture so these godly kings let it slide under the radar, except that their lack of total obedience led to more disobedience from the people they were meant to protect not just from physical harm but spiritual apostasy.

In the same way Christians will not look different from the dying world when we remain milquetoast. Acts of kindness are encouraged by Christians and unbelievers alike. What sets a Christ follower apart is not merely acting nice so everyone will like us, but also speaking the truth about sin even when it is uncomfortable. Being winsome toward others we disagree with is how we advocate the truth, not by compromising the truth.

It is easy to feel helpless as wicked leaders takeover and God’s values are mocked. But we have ways to engage the culture by combating the hell-bound lies which have been normalized, even seen as righteous, in the eyes of men. Let us make the most of the opportunities given to us individually, not merely speak on approved subjects to our neighbor, but initiate conversations about Truth. In our society today that is jaw-dropping radical. Our language needs clarification, or rather purging, about what truth is and the source of it. It is up to ordinary Christians to take back the dictionary as we learn to communicate frankly, openly and unashamed about what the Bible has to say about sin. The Gospel is the greatest love story, with the power to break the chains of sin that have so many enslaved. This is what loving your neighbor looks like right where you live. Perhaps God will use our personal obedience to spark spiritual revival and repentance in our world.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Ephesians 5:1-21

Our words matter

/ RedeemedInGrace / 3 Comments

“The Revolution will be complete when the language is perfect.” -George Orwell

During Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing last year she used the term “sexual preference” when responding to a question about a sex-same marriage ruling in the Supreme Court. The next day, Meriam Webster changed their definition of sexual preference describing it as an offensive term. This was done to characterize Barrett as out-of-date, bigoted and hateful. If it sounds eerily familiar to Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four its because it is. Doublespeak is a deceptive (and powerful) tool used to distort words of any real meaning. Truth is defined by the individual or an oligarchy meant to control people through the power of language. In our post modern society our words are relative, with truth determined by “what it means to you” instead of absolute truth according to God.

This is why Christians must define terms by God’s Word, not our culture. Not only do we defend the truth through apologetics, we have to preserve it by speaking plainly. Our conversations should leave no room for misunderstanding. The culture uses a word that sounds good, like social justice, and twists it to promote an agenda of progressivism that is anti-Christian. Believers must understand that social justice is the gateway for Critical Race Theory and Marxism, not for upholding righteousness. Yet words that sound harmless, even virtuous, are deceptively taught in universities, high schools, corporations and the military as a means to educate and break down barriers. Yet social justice promotes partiality which is a sin and creates divisiveness not unity. Christians are to view all people as created in God’s image and therefore deserving of respect. Ironically, Martin Luther King Jr. said to judge others on the content of their character, not the color of their skin. Who cares what your melanin count is? If someone is purple, but qualified in their job then that should be the criteria used, not because of an immutable characteristic. Along with treating all persons with value, under Biblical justice, God calls each believer to defend the vulnerable, not the government. Godly leaders can use their influence for good in the government realm, but it is ultimately up to God’s people to use discernment and promote mercy through our everyday ordinary lives with the people we meet (Micah 6:8).

Lately the term equity is another word weaponized against those who disagree with CRT. Equity is concerned with equal outcome for all. Equality promotes equal opportunity for all. The difference lies in those who are willing to work for their personal goals in life versus those who expect to have the same end result without working for it. This is detrimental to a society that depends on handouts rather than sacrifices, creating a generational cycle of sin and a victim complex.

Even sexuality is up for debate as transgenderism, the focus of the Biden administration, infiltrates our schools and hospitals, forcing teachers and doctors to educate and mutilate minors who are sincerely confused with their own biology. God is clear on the definition of a man and a woman (Genesis 1-2) yet perversion of God’s design is rampant. The reason transgenderism is a topic we have to address at all is because everything these days is fluid, not concrete. The biggest lie in this endeavor is telling kids that they can reverse the courses of action they take if later on down the road Sally decides she likes being Sally and not Harry. However, a pre-pubescent girl taking hormone blockers could have long term damage related to infertility, permanent hair or body changes that make it hard to distinguish whether an individual is male or female. Not to mention the emotional and psychological harm this does. Speaking plainly with compassion can actually help and should not be considered hate speech when the truth is what someone crying out for help needs. Lets consider sharing the love of Christ first with Biblical counseling.

When President Biden calls for unity in our country it sounds good. Who doesn’t want peace and unity? However, the message underneath reveals what he actually means in ‘unity’. The way Biden defines ‘unity’ is for everyone to agree on the narrative he promotes. Anyone who disagrees or thinks for themselves by simply asking a question can be labeled a bigoted, racist, homophobe to name a few of the slanderous terms. Unfortunately infantile name-calling produces results in our cancel culture.

It will become increasingly hard to stand firm in Biblical truth in a country seeped with lies. Yet this is to be expected. The world hates the truth as it exposes their false reality, forcing them to confront their own sin (John 3:19-21). Do not be afraid when the pressure intensifies to conform to the world’s standard. The 21st century witch hunt on truth tellers and plain speakers is here. Yet, as Orwell put it, “in a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” He was not a Christian, but this idea applies most appropriately to believers. Speak the truth we know, and stand firm. Since all truth is God’s truth we can also rest assured that the truth we obediently speak will not return void (Isaiah 55:10-11). Exposing lies and shining the light of truth will either heap judgment on the unrepentant or bring a repentant soul to Jesus. We just have to be faithful because what we say and how we say it, matters to the Lord.

Grace upon grace,

April

A Call To Repentance

/ RedeemedInGrace / 1 Comment

“This was evil’s hour: we could not run away from it. Perhaps only when human effort had done its best and failed, would God’s power alone be free to work.” -Corrie Ten Boom ‘The Hiding Place’

Since homeschooling my son this last year, we begin each day with The Pledge of Allegiance. In the pledge we recite “one nation under God” and we talk about justice and liberty for all. Unfortunately this isn’t true in today’s America. We have taken God out of our schools, businesses, homes and in some cases, our churches, replacing God with government instead. Justice and liberty are terms twisted to define them as we see fit instead of submitting to the Lord’s definition. The results are playing out in real time with homosexuality and transgenderism not just to be tolerated, but as something which must be applauded by all with the Equality Act Biden is pushing through Congress.

Under the Equality Act, LBGTQ “history” will be taught in public schools, men who identify as women have access to girls lockers rooms and restrooms, doctors will be forced to perform sex operations even for minors without parental consent, gender identity will become part of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and those seeking religious exemption will no longer be protected under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. Christian business owners or anyone with a moral conviction on these issues will have no choice but to provide services or hire individuals that are practicing homosexuals or transgender. On the surface this seems mostly like matters that won’t affect us personally, but the tentacles are far reaching in its effects. For example, should a Christian baker make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple even though this goes against God’s command of what marriage is? If the baker or florist or minister even, refuses to comply, they are no longer protected by any sort of religious exemption. Pastors will not be allowed to uphold God’s Word and speak against these issues. Your convictions are now obsolete and even criminal.

Or what if a man who decides he’d like to be a female goes into a salon spa and requests a bikini wax? This is gross but not unlikely since this is where we are today in putting blinders over our eyes in biology. The woman who is forced to give the bikini wax to a confused man pretending to be a girl is victimized in this case. It is interesting that the Democratic party celebrating the #MeToo movement, and has been the face of feminism since the 1960s now decides they will no longer protect women. Women’s sports are at an unfair advantage as transgender men seek to compete against females and will dominate since biologically speaking, men are stronger then women in most cases. We are sexualizing our children by allowing them to choose their own gender, teaching them in public schools that their biological sex can be disregarded, aiding even more gender dysphoria. But none of this matters to the Left. Tolerance is an antiquated word from their past which must embarrass them in 2021. Truthfully, it was only a gateway word for demanding acceptance to their ideology anyway.

Even though the current times should grieve Christians, it can also be a time to praise God. The next few years will bring even more clarity, contrasting true believers from the unbelieving. One good thing that can come from the rise of a new pagan political religion is the middle of the road, lukewarm, cultural Christianity will evaporate. This will be one less deceptive tool used to lull souls into spiritual dormancy. Our post-Christian nation is a time for God’s people to persevere in His strength and wisdom. We have ample opportunity to proclaim the gospel with our lives and words. Lately it seems to be a radical act just by going to church in person! Believers can no longer afford to be passive, convinced this is the same as gentleness. This is an error that must be corrected. It is not sinful to call out sin- Jesus did this, as did John the Baptist and also Peter (Matthew 23; Matthew 3:1-12; Acts 2:36-41). Speaking against lies and sin, is an act of mercy as the goal is to cause the individual or group in sin to be confronted with their sinfulness, repent and turn to Christ. The difference is in how we say God’s commands are good, His mercy is enough to cover even the most vile sinner, and God’s grace abounds. Uncompromising Christians will need to be the standard. We show others the redeeming work of Christ in our own lives, calling the lost to repent of their sin and turn to Jesus.

As Romans 1 plays out before us, Christians must also examine our part in how we got here as a nation. This is a spiritual battle manifested in the political sphere. Whenever the news is distressing we need to remember this. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Yet we must also repent of our own spiritual complacency, apathy, fear of man, lack of courage, or plain ignorance in how to communicate eternal truths.

In Daniel 9:1-19, Daniel learns the judgment against Israel would last seventy years through reading Jeremiah’s prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11). He immediately goes into prayer. There are 3 things to notice in his prayer- Daniel’s prayer consist of adoration, confession and petition. The chunk of his prayer is confession- his own sin and for the nation of Israel. It is a helpful template for how we can repent and pray for these times.

Christian, we do not have to lie down and fold our hands. We mustn’t fall asleep. God’s Sovereignty works with man’s will, not excusing man from his responsibilities. We need personal and national repentance from our complacency and rebellion. In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress there is man named Honesty. Mr. Greatheart is the guide for Christiana and her sons, and they meet Honesty on their pilgrim journey:

“Soon they came to a large oak tree, and saw under it an old pilgrim fast asleep. They knew he was a pilgrim by his clothes and his staff. Mr. Greatheart awoke him. At first he was frightened, and asked, “Who are you? What do you want? What is your business?”

Greatheart: Calm yourself, my good man, we are all your friends. (The old man’s name was Honesty.) My name is Greatheart; I am the guide of these pilgrims who are going to the Celestial Country.

Honesty: I beg your pardon. I was afraid you might be of the gang who sometime back robbed Little-Faith of his money; but now I know you are honest people.

Greatheart: Why, what could you have done if we had been robbers?

Honesty: Done? Why, I would have fought like a tiger, as long as I had any breath. And had I done so, I am sure you never could have conquered me, for a pilgrim can never be defeated unless he yields himself.

Greatheart: Well said, my brother, now I know you are a good soldier.

Honesty: And by this I know you are informed as to what a true pilgrim is, for all others think that we are the easiest to overcome of any.”

Understanding sin, the freedom of the Gospel of peace, and the realities of spiritual warfare should make us a people of prayer. We don’t wish to see any perish into eternal Hell. So the answer is to examine our own hearts, repent, and stand firm in the truth we know without fear of being canceled, villainized or even criminalized. God’s truth will stand no matter if we decide to uphold it or not. This is the beautiful call we have as believers. Show Christ to the world even if it costs us everything.

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil of comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)

Grace upon grace,

April