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Tag Archives: independence day

The Day of Liberty

17 Tuesday Jul 2018

Posted by Ron Thomas in America, Bulletin Article, God, Holidays

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freedon, independence day, liberty

It is this week that many reflect upon the up-coming holiday known as “The Fourth (4th) of July.” The day (evening) in which fireworks are shot into the night’s sky celebrating our country’s independence from Great Britain with our Declaration of Independence. The day of independence was actually July 2nd with the Continental Congress voting and declaring themselves free from the British Empire; after some additional debates and revisions to the Declaration, the final vote and declaration was on July 4th.

In my mind, since I like history a good bit, this is a great day of the year. It has lost its luster (shine), however, because now many in our society have failed to understand our country’s history, the tortuous fighting and laboring to keep it strong. Even by those who still know our history the luster is lost because we take it for granted we will be existing in the entirety of our individual lifetimes. Unfortunately, just this week, I saw a headline that 44% of those asked believe we are headed toward another civil war! As a people we have certainly failed to understand our history and the guiding force undergirding our existence. George Washington did not, however.

George Washington is known by nearly all in our congregation (except our youngest), and it is perhaps not as well known that he strongly believed in God and His Providence. On one occasion (July 20, 1775), he gave this order: “The General orders this day to be religiously observed by the forces under his Command, exactly in the manner directed by the Continental Congress. It is therefore strictly enjoined on all officers and soldiers to attend Divine service. And it is expected that all those who go to worship do take their arms, ammunition and accoutrements [other military necessities], and are prepared for immediate action, if called upon” (America’s God and Country, p. 638).

Maybe our country has forgotten those things that are important, such as God and all things related to His guidance, but what about those who call themselves Christians, Have they?

One would think not, but when attendance with the saints is spotty, when the Lord’s Scripture is not read, when financial support for the righteous cause of the Lord is lacking and when there is a general lack of application in Christian principles in the life of each who identify as Christian, then one has indeed forgotten. Jeremiah long ago spoke (and wrote) some hard-hitting words to those who identified themselves as belonging to God. “For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not” (4:22, ESV).

The people of the Lord were foolish because they did not know God, that is, they took no time to learn and apply His will in a faithful and steady way.  As the English Standard Version reads, the Lord called them stupid!

The day of liberty, the day in which your sins were forgiven is to be the most significant day of your life; better than any other day in your life that is associated with some great event (graduation, wedding, retirement, etc). It is the greatest day because on that day, as Paul said, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1, emphasis RT).

Is this something you believe? I know I do.  RT

Independence Day (but not what you think)

03 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

homosexuality, independence day, marriage, SCOTUS, United Church of Christ

This was posted in a briefer form on TFR.

Happy Marriage Equality Day!

We are happy to be one of the Christian denominations who blesses same-sex marriage and respects the identities of LGBT people.

Love always wins. We are thankful the Supreme Court ruled on the side of love. Blessings to all of the loving couples who can now legally affirm the love God already affirms.

There will be more posts from UCC officials and the UCC newsroom today. Until then, enjoy your Pride and marriage equality celebrations!

This tweet from the United Church of Christ (UCC) was posted today (6.26.2015). There are some certain things to be said about it. 1) The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) having made a decision in favor of same-sex marriage is certainly NOT Christian. Thus, that which the UCC supports is not Christian either. Moreover, the fact they are self-identified as a “Christian denomination” is not something that is God-ordained. 2) Love most certainly did NOT win. Love seeks that which is best for the other person, and the perfect standard of love is only that which resides in God. God did not and does not sanction same-sex marriages (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).  3) The attribution of a man-made definition of love to God is as egregious and ignorant (unlearned) as one who as a self-identified atheist who says he believes in God!

The UCC think they are of God, but they (and others similar to them) are far from God in support of same-sex marriage, or even homosexual behavior that does not warrant marriage status. When Justice Kennedy wrote: “Under the Constitution, same sex couples seek in marriage the same legal treatment as opposite sex couples, and it would disparage their choices and diminish their personhood to deny them this right” (as copied from Special Report on Fox News, 6.26.2015). Thus, under the Constitution they are given dignity to their personhood because they felt, evidently, they did not have it. Under God, however, while human dignity is still in place, the Lord’s judgment standard is not the Constitution of the United States.

This weekend is Independence Weekend, with the 4th of July being tomorrow. One might say that the homosexual community has gained their independence when the SCOTUS favored their position, albeit narrowly. That which they think was gain in a form of independence is still a matter of bondage. It is bondage to sin. The Scriptures speak strongly against homosexual behavior, and one can read this in Romans 1:26-27. Those who are still in sinful (sexual) bondage have yet to receive their independence from the Lord, before whom they will stand on Judgment Day (Acts 17:30-31).

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