No.5

Many suggest it is the end times or that the tribulation is about to begin and the rapture is soon. This is a hasty conclusion, but if it were true, would this change what we ought to do as Christians in America? Does it mean that by resisting global government and by opposing the destruction of our nations laws, heritage, and freedom we are somehow opposing God? Does God wish for us to be passive in these times? Were we born to live our destinies in this era by being dispassionate observers?

If you are hungry for a taste of theological assumptions and are eager for debate, look elsewhere. A discussion will be welcome, but I mean merely to point out a few things here.

First, I have questioned why some among us feel compelled by God and in Scripture to defend American liberty and some feel God has led them to withdraw. Does this not mean that one is right and one is wrong? And if, on both sides, there is assurance that the Holy Spirit’s direction to them was clear, how can we keep from arguing? How can this not divide us? Is our decision to fight or to retreat made by our first reaction, or is it made with wisdom, considering the whole picture and as much information as we can glean?

Second, I recall that the devil is always plotting and scheming, and every one of his schemes has a common thread: to divide. If he divides a mind, he makes a doubter. If he divides a church, he conquers them, and the battle is his. He knows very well that he must do both to win: he must defeat faith in the individual and unity in the body.

Third, I realize that to hear from God and to receive His comfort, grace, direction, blessing…even his love, I must be surrendered totally to Him. I must be completely His, and trust myself completely to His wisdom. I am only a servant, I am not my own.

Therefore, I have come to this conclusion: That we are all servants of His, unified by His love, one in the Spirit. And each individual must obey the Master’s direction. Our goal is to obey so that he will be glorified. And following this, we realize that to accomplish His purposes-which we do not fully know because we do not know the mind of God-we must obey one step at a time. In doing this, each of us obeying his specific direction, we will all work together to accomplish His greater purpose.

I put it to you this way: When a General goes into battle, he issues every order for the goal of victory. All his men know that victory is their purpose, but he does not proclaim all that is in his mind, all his methods and plans, to every soldier. Instead, he issues orders at precise times to specific soldiers. As each one dutifully obeys the orders he was given, he is confident that his work will serve the common cause. The General does not order all the soldiers to do exactly the same thing, either.

Can you see what I’m driving at? If God has led you to withdraw, to retreat, and to back down from defending American liberty in peaceful assembly, in speech, and in conduct, then those are your orders. Obey them, and I will obey mine. Because American liberty is not my god, it is merely my heritage, which I have been led to defend. I trust that God will accomplish his greater purpose, but I do not first demand a guarantee of success before dedicating my ‘life, my fortune, and my sacred honor’ to this work. Like those others of whom we have read, I know God can preserve us. Whether he will or not, I am resolved to obey his orders, and if I perish, I perish.