God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility

By: Chris Johnson

 

I have been for a long time been a Christian activist.  Though perhaps less recognized as such today, still that is my heart.  I am in the line of AFA’s founder, Don Wildmon, in the days of boycotting and picketing.  Boycotts were sometimes effective and sometimes not, but one thing that they did accomplish was marking the difference between the holy and the profane.   Playboy, Hustler, Penthouse, Cosmopolitan, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Victoria’s Secret advertisements, X-rated videos, and on, and on – profane!

Experiencing God’s strengthening and healing from the sin of pornography, I was personally shown God’s heart for His people – to pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).  So activism also has included fighting sin in my life; discipline in daily devotions and applying His word to my sin and detesting that which displeases my Lord and Savior.

Sadly, as many of you reading this are aware, the Bible makes clear that the sons of man have often failed miserably at teaching the difference between the holy and the profane.  When you have kids or have been a teacher of the young, you begin to recognize the importance of not only teaching but marking the difference between what is pleasing and what is detestable to God.  Even more important is the need to model godly living – to practice what you preach.  Nothing is more detestable (pure ugliness), than to be a hypocrite, and as we look out on the world stage we see many fakes, phonies, hypocrites.   That is in part what disgusts many of us regarding U.S. politicians, with very few exceptions.

Convictions, a strong sense of God and His righteousness, desiring to live by “not my will but your will be done” is almost non-existent and it would be a disgrace to many of us who had honorable moms and dads and grandparents.  Within the last few months, particularly, we have become aware and, yes, convinced, that many have bowed their knee to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party).  It is no wonder that there are so few that operate with plain spoken – old fashioned – GUTS.    There are some who will stand, come what may:  Jim Jordan, Rand Paul (though I don’t always agree with him on some things), Rudy Guiliani, Mo Brooks, Louis Gohmert, Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, and, yes, Donald Trump, and a few other Washington insiders.

Side note:  who are those who have deep convictions?  I submit – with some exceptions – they are people with convictions based on Biblical faith and commitment to the Creator God.

May we examine ourselves in these days;  passing on the baton of faith; living out Biblical convictions, declaring our sin and asking for forgiveness – that we would repent of our sins restoring  us in fellowship as these evil days continue to devastate so many who are living without hope in their hearts and lives.

Here are a couple of quotes to accent two key points; God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility.

First SOVEREIGNTY, from a daily devotional by F.B . Meyer, “Our Daily Walk” –

’Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign’  1 Corinthians 15:24.

WHITHER IS God moving? When we speak of the eternal progress of the Almighty, it must be remembered that we are adopting human speech, because God lives in the eternal present. He is Jehovah – “I AM!”

God is moving to the supreme exaltation of our Saviour. Christ must and will reign, and the Father’s power is even now engaged in putting all things under His feet. He has given Him the heathen for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession. It is true that we see not yet all things put under Him, but God is even now engaged in hastening the fulfilment of His eternal plan. The rise and fall of rulers and kingdoms within the last few years; the clamour for new methods of government has menaced the ancient order; the vortex of elections; the babel of voices; the rivalry of statesmen and parties! What of these? They are the clouds of His feet, the movement of His pieces on the board, the successive stages in the unfolding of His plan. Watch the Divine strategy! God raises up one, and puts down another; there is not an item in the newspaper, nor a change on the map, nor a revolution among the people, however obscure, that is not contributing to that final scene, when the Son of Man shall come to the Ancient of Days, and there shall be given Him dominion and glory, and a Kingdom, that all people, and nations, and languages shall serve Him!

There is need for us all to know God’s movements, especially in this momentous era, because only so can we enter into His Rest. We can look out calmly on a world in confusion when once we have learnt to understand the Divine programme of gathering up all things in Christ, who is the Head. To the careless world His way is in the sea, and His paths in the deep waters, and His footsteps are not known; but to those who love and follow Him. The heavens may depart, the hills be removed; but His kindness shall not depart, neither shall the covenant of His peace be removed.

Now let’s look at MAN’S RESPONSIBILITYfrom Revelation 14:3-5, 7 – note the activism!

And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.  And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Let us remember, worship is warfare!

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