Be Careful

When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. [Proverbs 28.2]

Moral rot is a strong phrase. Sadly, it describes much of what is prevalent in the United States of America.

It appears the Superintendent of Education in the state of Oklahoma has demanded that the Bible be returned to the classroom in that state. I am a citizen of Oklahoma.

I am also a member of a church. I saw a post in the last 24 hours on Facebook by fellow members of my church arguing against the Superintendent of Education's mandate. Any member of the Body of Christ taking this stance is standing against the very book that is synonymous with Christ Himself. They are defending the "rule of law" as established by the U.S. Constitution by forbidding the very basis for its existence. The establishment of the United States, as found in the Declaration of Independence, acknowledges the Creator in a position over the affairs of man - that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Jesus encountered a similar situation that sheds uncomfortable light on what those who oppose the Bible in schools are promoting.

Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn’t speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. The crowd was amazed and asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house. “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. [Matthew 12.22-32]

For a "Christian" to take a stand against "Christ" is not conducive to the Kingdom of God! To those advocating against the Bible, I plead, "Be careful!" Jesus left us with a stern warning for such a situation: “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me. “So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.

Father, help "Christians" (myself included) understand that Your Kingdom is to be our first priority. Otherwise, we have not "taken up our cross and followed Jesus," and consequently, are not His.