Friday, August 28, 2020

Signs of the times

Today I heard that the courts had given the governor power to levy fines from one law as a consequence for breaking a different law. I’m weary, weary from watching liberty worn away because we have to be “safe.”


I’m especially weary of trendy Christian publishing and churches, stating that we must embrace the “safe” agenda in order to be loving. Is it not loving to preserve liberty?


I think of Christians like Bonhoeffer and Niemoller, who challenged the good Christian citizens of Germany. I’m not calling anyone a Nazi and I’m thankful we are not yet seeing Christians in the U.S. carried off to concentration camps. But I wonder, so I rewrite Niemoller’s famed quote.

——



First they came for the first right to assemble, and I did not speak because I had social media.


Then they came for businesses, but I did not speak because I did not own a business.


They came for the right to work, and I did not speak because the government would provide me income.


They came for freedom of religion, but I did not object because I could meet on Zoom. 


They came for freedom of speech, but I did not object because some might perceive history as offensive.


They came for the right to private property, but I did not object because one race had been treated as property hundreds of years ago, when others of their own race caught them and sold them to traders.


They came for my right to privacy, but I did not object, because someone might get the virus.


They came for the Christians, but I cannot object because my faith is offensive and dangerous. I depend on the government for support. And I have no rights.


——


I do remember it must be so. Throwing aside citizenship and liberty will only fulfill Revelation 17:17.  “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”


And when that prophecy is fulfilled, Jesus will come. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and make us ready before.


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