GOD IN THE FOREFRONT
INTRODUCTION
God in the forefront is a necessity towards the health of any nation; it is unfortunate that some nations no longer hold such a status. There are nations formerly known as “godly nations” who have allowed the unhealthy fruit of unrighteousness to enter in.
The Apostle James wrote: Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree bear olive berries; either a vine figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh (James 3:11-12). James was giving reference to the tongue; could this not likewise identify that a nation cannot pursue two different paths at the same time and remain in a healthy status?
God in the Forefront
We Have Forgotten God
An American President, Abraham Lincoln, noted a time when “God in the Forefront” could no longer be declared, in saying: We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us (Abraham Lincoln).
Where there is no fear of God, no reverence for God, every evil can and will abound. It was noted that the idea that we humans will be good without God is a deceptive fallacy. When people are devoid of the knowledge and wisdom that come from believing God and having reverence for Him, they become morally corrupt, exceedingly evil, violent and destructive.
Nations who no longer bear wholehearted allegiance to God are witnessing such coming upon them; while those with God in the forefront, enjoy His provision and protection. If we ever forget that we are one nation under God we will be a nation gone under (Ronald Reagan).
Good and Bad
Jesus spoke concerning good and corrupt fruit, in saying: Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt; for the tree is known by his fruit (Matthew 12:33). A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. I say to you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment (Matthew 12:35-36).
We are witnessing many seeking power and control through deceptive practices that include telling falsehoods to deceive the people. As previously noted, Jesus said: The tree is known by the fruit it bears. Deceptive practices will one day be accountable in the Day of Judgment unless repentance is sought prior to that day.
Apostle John wrote: I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and he dead were judged out of those things written in the books, according to their works (Revelation 20:12); whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire (a literal burning Hell) (Revelation 20:15).
Weight of God's Judgment
Having God in the forefront is not only a necessity but a must for any nation or individual. It was noted that we live in a culture that is increasingly hostile to God with many having dismissed God from their lives. No individual, and no nation, will be good without God. Eventually kingdoms crumble because they ascended to dominance on the shaky foundation of human ingenuity, political intrigue, selfish interest, and human economy.
The time is coming when all powers and principalities will collapse under the weight of God's judgment. Scripture reveals a day when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will come to execute judgment on the wicked. Jude wrote: The Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment toward ungodly sinners who have spoken against him, walking after their own lusts; their mouth speaking great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage (Jude 1:14-16).
Protection of the Church
The battle rages on, as the wicked continue to reject God’s sovereignty over the earth, the heathen continue to rage, and the powers of darkness are on the prowl. It was noted that none of this is a threat to the rule of God. None of this is a threat to the flourishing of God’s people. God rules, the Son of God is our Mediator, the Holy Spirit is our ever-present Helper, and God’s angels are charged with our care.
Jesus give an assurance, in saying: You are Peter (representative of the church), and upon this rock (foundation) I will build my church; and the gates of hell (forces of evil) shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). There is an ongoing drive to destroy the church’s influence in the world; for it is a threat to the ungodliness being presented, and controlling through global and government control.
Identifying of the True
God
Apostle Paul in seeking to reveal the one and only true God said: As I passed by, and beheld your (those in Athens) devotions (objects of worship), I found an altar with this inscription; to the unknown God, whom you ignorantly worship, him I declare to you (Acts 17:23). While in the military I witnessed the worship of false gods whom were worshipped with reverence as others to the Almighty God.
Paul’s effort to open the door towards genuine worship of the true God did not completely fail. Scripture reveals: When they heard him (Paul) some mocked, and others said, we will hear you again of this matter. Howbeit certain men clave (joined) to him (Paul) and believed (Acts 17:32-34).
Looking in the Mirror
Is God in the forefront is a question that every nation or individual needs to review. The Apostle James brought such to light in writing: Be you doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word (Word of God), and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding (observing) his natural face in a glass (mirror). He beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was (James 1:22-24).
There is a progressive social gospel being presented today that would lead one astray from the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God. It would undermine (if possible) any prior convictions; such doctrine allows certain lifestyles to be recognized and accepted. The result is looking in the mirror of one’s previous convictions; then walked away rather than continue to embrace them.
Renewing of the Mind
When God is in the forefront one can readily follow what Apostle Paul wrote: Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable (rational) service. Be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
Be not conformed to this world is to resist (rather than embrace) the mold of present day thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world. Many translations leave out an important part of Apostle Paul’s instruction: There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus; by stopping at that point, which goes on to say: who walk not after the flesh (human desires), but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1); of extreme importance because it spells out why there is no condemnation.
Walking Away
Placing God in the forefront is the message for the hour; as we are seeing a withdrawal from such by nations and individuals who value present day lifestyles over adherence to God’s Word. There is an abundance of walking away rather than embracing the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God. Apostle Paul in addressing a church noted: You did run well, who did hinder you, that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion comes not of him that called you (Galatians 5:7-8).
The church was making good progress spiritually but there were those who hindered them through false teaching; with those who having previously embraced the truth, departing from it through such persuasion. As previously stated, there is a progressive social gospel that capitalizes on giving people what they want to hear; not what they need to hear.
Paul identified that this trend would be forthcoming, in writing: The time will come when they (the people) will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts (desires) shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables (that which is fictitious) (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Salvation or Bondage
God in the forefront is a necessity for any nation or individual desiring freedom; both spiritual and physical. The forces of evil are amassing toward the final moment of deception to draw one into entrapment; by promising the world and then delivering bondage and enslavement rather than freedom.
Apostle Peter wrote: Beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness (faithfulness). But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17-18). Apostle Paul further noted: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).
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