Not mocking at all, brother Steve. If you want to create change then you get involved in making it happen as it appears you are doing.
It seems like ive spent much of the past 50 years trying to "Change the World" Brother Nick, but over that time little seems to have changed and in some areas, especially the Environment, things have got progressively worse. I've finally understood whats been in front of me all the time, Humanity is not the solution, indeed we are the problem, the only way this world is ever going to truly change for the better is when God intervenes to bring it to an end and create a new world where pain and suffering will be no more. But until that happens , we have to be the light in the darkness, showing Gods Love and compassion for those in need, but in so doing we have to be ever mindful that this world is a Dark and Evil place driven by Greed, selfishness, Envy, Hate and Lust, and while we have to involve ourselves in the world we must always keep it at a distance lest "The cares and Lusts of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and it becomes unfruitful".
You really do not know how the USA was started do you? I mean the Godly Men who sacrificed everything, to their own lives to start a country that was free to worship God, His Word, by the Spirit that would lead them to do what is right by the Bible and establish a country founded for love of God, and Country while fighting oppression (UK). Though it cost them everything (Sacrifice), fortunes, their own and their family lives at times too.
I think i remember from my history lessons at school the story of the "Pilgrim fathers" and the ship "The Mayflower", and of them leaving England to escape religious persecution and seek a better life, and of them landing in what is now the US. It seems ironic to me that these "Asylum seekers" should be revered by some but those seeking safety from persecution and a better life now should be reviled, even though Christ said that when we welcome the stranger we welcome him, but when we deny the stranger we deny him. As for "Godly men", i suppose it depends on what you mean by "Godly", i hesitate to call anyone "Godly" for i see us all as wretched sinners in the sight of God, even Christ when called "Good" by the rich ruler said " Who calls me good. No one is good except my Father in heaven". But whatever their "Godliness" and intentions for the country they founded, like ALL countries, it now operates out of self interest , Greed and a lust for Power.
No, the system is not the problem, but the people themselves. John Adams said "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.", which I have quoted many times here. I guess in the hope that people would realize that this country an experiment in governance, might be what God intended it to be, and those founders had hoped for.
But that is the fundamental problem Brother Nick, you can have the best "System" men can devise, but once you put that system into operation the sinful nature of humanity takes over and it becomes yet another instrument to further the ambitions and satiate the lusts of those operating it. What further evidence do you need than the words of the Devil to Christ when he offered him ALL the kingdoms of this World "For they are mine to do with as i please".
This is the one you are fighting against and believe that this is because you are doing so for Jesus Christ's commandments, which include doing so for your neighbors who have less, all the while not seeing the sacrifices of your other neighbors across the pond who are sacrificing for what you are doing to comply with what you believe on your part is being obedient to Christ. You've chosen helping one over the other. One you would classify as lambs, while the other goats.
I am not fighting against the US brother Nick, i am fighting against the Evils of this world and the Evil that is within myself. I do not categorise the US as the "Great Satan" but look on ALL Governments as being the province of the Devil. The US by its position of prominence, of its great wealth and military power, is far more involved with the Evils of this world, but thats just a consequence of its position. As China and Russia vie for increasing power and prominence in the world their evils also multiply. Power corrupts, great power greatly corrupts and absolute power absolutely corrupts. Its just a reflection of the wretched sinners we ALL are.
Well comparisons can be done many ways, and in truth hold no water because they must be looked at in the entirety of the topic and its affects as a whole.
The only comparisons i would make Brother Nick are to compare the actions of myself or others and the teachings of Christ.
Otherwise, I could rightly say why aren't you using your money, to help those families who have been killed by illegals instead? Do, you see? One can reason things any number of ways, but none of them unless seen through the Spirit of God are rightly discerned and are to affect. Take care brother, otherwise you are making your own actions no better, by the last statement above since in truth "ALL corrupt and All in need of Gods forgiveness for our actions."
And my answer would be Brother Nick, because i am a wretched sinner who professes to follow the teachings of my saviour but always falls far short of what i know i should do. I try to do better, but know that i am in constant need of Gods Grace and forgiveness for the many sins i commit. But why the emphasis on "helping those families killed by illegals", what of the thousands that will die today from hunger and disease, some of whom i could save if i gave more and kept less, what of the hundreds of millions suffering in abject poverty, what of the weapons the UK is sending to countries where bloodshed and war reign, what of the 160 children killed in the US air strike on the school in Tehran, what of...... the list is endless, as are my sins in ignoring them.
Sure it is! Aren't your own actions predicated on what you believe you should be doing for your neirghbor as you yourself would want to be done to you no matter the cost to anyone else?
I dont think so Brother Nick, "To Love your Neighbour as yourself " and to "treat others as you'd want to be treated" has nothing to do with how they act but everything to do with what you'd want if you were in their position, as such, how the Iranians would act towards myself and my family has nothing to do with the love and compassion i'm called on to show to them.
So, you asked and answered your own question! It's the same as many who have difficulty reconciling the Loving God of the New Testament to the One who wanted everyone to get slaughtered, man, woman, child, in the Old Testament.
How did i answer my own question Brother Nick, i specifically said i dont know the answer, but i would be interested if you think the attack on Iran was ordained by God and if so, was the attack on 9/11 also ordained by God?.
And i'm one of those that have great difficulty "reconciling the Loving God of the New Testament to the One who wanted everyone to get slaughtered, man, woman, child, in the Old Testament". But like many things in my "Walk of Faith", i accept that i just dont understand and will never reconcile some of the actions of the OT God with the Christ of the NT, i try to follow Christs teachings as best i can, or more accurately as far as i want to,, fail miserably, and constantly seek his forgiveness.
With the love of Christ Jesus Brother Nick
Steve
Love you Brother! Keep the Faith!
With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC/Moderator
Nick
\o/
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