Salvation by Law Just Will Never Work.

If people could be made moral by law, it would be a simple matter … for Congress to pass a law making all Americans moral. This would be salvation by law. Men and nations have often resorted to salvation by law, but the only consequence has been greater problems and social chaos.

Laws grounded on the Bible do not attempt to save man or to usher in a brave new world, a great society, world peace, a poverty-free world, or any other such idea. The purpose of Biblical law, and all law grounded on a Biblical faith, is to punish and restrain evil, and to protect life and property, to provide justice for all people. It is not the purpose of the state and its law to change or reform men: this is a spiritual matter and a task for religion. Man can be changed only by the grace of God through the ministry of the word. Man cannot be changed by statist legislation; he cannot be legislated into a new character…

The fact of law and the strict enforcement of law are restraints upon man’s sinful inclinations. But, while a man can be restrained by strict law and order, he cannot be changed by law; he cannot be saved by law. Man can only be saved by the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

The State of the American Churches

A lot of American Churches have become so self-absorbed that it cares little for those who are outside–unless there’s a possibility of bringing people in and making them just like them. Once outsiders come inside, they need to assimilate—that’s just the rule. (And for many that also means pay your tithe so we can do fun stuff to appease members,....... invite outsiders in to show what a warm and wonderful church they are.... and pay the pastors mortgage and car. (For the record, most of the mega church pastors are also listed as some of the richest people in the country........Tithing required....even though the Malachi requirement was so it could bring "food into your storehouse" by tithing to the storehouse)

Many Churches are continually "reinventing themselves" with the latest plan for church growth. The apostle Paul did not live an extravagant life but he got the message to the world. He died in a horrible way. But if a person is living to just to stay alive they are going to lose. (the only standard should be Romans 12:2 which is a goal any and every church should preach and promote...but no manner of theocracy can dictate it).

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

And then it means they insist that the Church’s standards become and/or remain the law of the land. But, then, which form of Christianity tops the theocracy? United States of Methodist? United States of Baptist? United States of Charismania?...and on and on..

Amos 5:21-24:
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!“

Same verses paraphrased:
I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.

Matthew 25:31-40

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’“ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” --Matthew 25:31-40

I look at the words here and take them first and foremost at face value. Then in deep study or prayer a word like "feed" can mean something much more than just food. the same with sick or stranger, etc etc. I have read the Bible many times and every time a word or a verse might mean something different or deeper as we mature. It's not magic, it's spiritual growth. Always seek, and never disregard the "least" of those who may cross our paths.

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."-Matt 25:13

Fear Based Religion

From the days of the Roman Empire wealthy individuals have sought power over others and have endeavored to twist religious belief into a fear-based false religion with the purpose of maintaining control and power. If you've paid attention to the gospel story you clearly can't help but notice that there were Pharisees and Sadducees and other spokesmen "for God" who were always ready to explain to someone the rules...which were, generally, based on the fact that "we have the money so we have the power". Similarly, white men in America with influence have long been weaponizing conservative theology in protecting their privilege.

​ In todays America, put them all together and you have a recipe for fascism with Christian trappings. One thing all these people do have in common is they maintain God is on their side. There were deadly Inquisitions, subjection of the Indians in America and then there was slavery wrought by people who believed God created the black man inferior so they could dominate and enslave them. Everything has gone in cycles like that throughout history. When I first became a Christian I was somewhat intrigued by stories of the end times...starting with Hal Lindsey's book, and some of the religious movies that I think were just created to scare you into heaven. None of them created a story where it was people who called themselves Christians would be the evil that we would face in the Apocalypse (A Thief in the Night, etc, etc). But Christian Nationalists create that as a possible reality. I was rather shocked as I realized that scenario could be possible. It's still unsettling but I can now see how it could happen that way. Ten years ago I had no clue what a "Christian Nationalist" is. Today it's a core foundation of American evangelicalism.​

Christ Has Not Moved or Left The Building.....

​Our Christian intellect, oft referred to as the "Christian mind,” are often undermined by anti-intellectualism resulting in Churches that are often shallow, under-informed, and intellectually dull. Meanwhile, those who stick around are often treated to heavy doses of emotionalism, experientialism, and pragmatism, all without the balanced influence of a vibrant intelligent Christian faith. In this context, while we should be strategically transforming our culture, instead, we are being transformed by anti-Christian influences that just feel "Christiany." Our evangelistic efforts are typically flipped inside out so that instead of redeeming the surrounding culture we are more often conforming to that very culture. The purity of real Christianity becomes not a necessity....when actually it should be the first and foremost necessity. In America, the wiggle room between the two often creates all kinds of scenarios and possibilities. The number of churches and denominations just here in America is the best example of that. For this, however, I am only addressing what has become known as "Christian Nationalism," which is a form of Nationalism built on poor Biblical teaching....or poor Biblical teaching comprehension. (Teaching & being taught is a two way street). Christ has to be the one and only center of our Christian experience if we are to have one at all. For He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb 13:5) So, if He is not there with you...He did not move.

You can't legislate Morality

God doesn’t bend us to His will using violence, coercion and force. He bends us to His will by loving us to the point of his own death – even to death on a cross.

But the Christian nationalist would still try to impose the kingdom of God through politics. If we’re going to have this mythical Christian nation, it will become necessary to force people to comply with “God’s law.”

There is no doubt that Christian nationalists could seize political power and force people to behave according to their dictates — to some degree. I mean, right now, we have a non-Christian President being a puppet to some things suggested by the Heritage Foundation ( Project 2025). Trump, however, has no moral compass and it's hard to say what he sees when he reads things Christians write. And I'm not defending Heritage Foundation. They are a group of people with some form of Christian convictions trying to make the whole country obey. It's like Moscow, Idaho on steroids. It's misguided and built on a sand filled foundation. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Cor 3:11) Whatever or however they choose to implement the Kingdom of God on earth, it still wouldn’t be a “Christian nation.” Power and force only go so far. You can punish people for sexual immorality. You can outlaw divorce. You can crack down on all manner of “unchristian” behavior. But you can’t compel somebody to love their neighbor. And you can’t beat somebody into loving God.

And as I have said many time, choosing God is a moral decision. And you absolutely CANNOT legislate morality.

Donald Trump's Seared Conscience (I Timothy 4:2)

Maga Right Wing members of the Trump regime write off bad reports, bad opinions, bad policy stats and numbers by saying two magic words: "Fake News." It's not a magic spell that makes things really go away, it just maga-splains the "reality" they feign to create. Feigned faith, also known as hypocrisy or insincere worship, carries serious consequences in the Bible. It describes a situation where a person maintains an outward appearance of piety or religiosity, but their heart and actions are not aligned with any personal profession of faith or sense of fairness or moral convictions. He and he alone is the center of his world.

Their consciences are severely seared. A seared conscience, as described in 1 Timothy 4:2, refers to a state where a person's sense of right and wrong is dulled or damaged, often due to repeated sin or disregard for moral principles. It implies a loss of sensitivity to guilt or remorse, making it difficult for the individual to recognize or feel the wrongfulness of their actions. A seared conscience will usually lead to hypocrisy, where a person outwardly appears righteous while secretly engaging in ungodly behavior. We see that almost daily now with reports of pastors and religious leaders being accused and/or convicted of sexual crimes...usually against minors. This is Maga.

1 Peter 4:17 states judgment begins at the house of God. Trump is not a blessing to American evangelicals.....he's a judgment. Trumps heart appears to have been hardened against sincere Christianity....and he embraces that. His sense of power is more important to him then his sense of God and any sense of morality.

Media is a Plural word.

Media is a plural word, meaning that it speaks with many voices. We have a diverse media in the US and we should be proud of it. Here are some examples:
Right of center. — FOX, Breitbart, National Review, Washington Times, all the various alt-right websites, Steve Bannon and many many other talk show hosts, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, the Arizona Star, on and on. In most red states, it is hard to find a liberal voice on radio or in newspapers.
Center — USA Today, most major network news, most major newspapers and radio
Left of Center — NY Times, Washington Post, MSNBC, The New Yorker, the Atlantic, CNN, The Nation, and many others
Anyone can now gorge 24/7 on opinons that reinforce exactly what they believe. And that’s what mose people do. So why does the right insist that the left controls the media?

When you only want to hear what YOU agree with and are upset by other opinions, when you think you have a monopoly on truth, you can ignore the fact that democracy NEEDS conflicting opinons in the media. The left does NOT control the media. Prior to the rise of FOX and the Internet, it could possibly be argued that way but not anymore.

Unbiased news reporting is reportage that holds true to at least five basic and simple principles:

Facts are sacred. Only present something as a fact if you have witnessed it yourself or if it is verified by at least two independent sources. Don’t misquote people. Provide their actual words and the full context in which they uttered them. Don’t rely on ‘off the record’ briefings for anything more than a guide on what the briefer wants you to think and report. It may be true, but you’ll only know that if someone else (not connected with the original source) can confirm it.
Don’t let your own opinions get in the way of the story. remember there are at least two sides to every controversy and it’s your duty as a reporter to present all sides of the argument.

Is the media the enemy? I used to think that but not any more.. There was a time when the media did the job of reporting events and challenging problems in government. There are still some doing it, but the rest reports the media according to their narrative of choice. Left Wing, Right Wing, up and down... That media is just taking advantage of the fact that most people dont really care whats going on as long as they protect their narrative. They want an audience to pay the bills because they have built such large new conglomerations and hire their anchors and reporter for up to a million dollars plus per year. Much more than their worth.
The media now feeds off people mainly who cannot think critically. The non-critical thinkers choose their news like they're ordering off a breakfast menu. Hence they choose their reality. Relativism is a failed proposition in logic and debate and will have a bad end. When "what I feel" trumps "the way things are" there will only be common ground amongst the people who chose the same news source off the breakfast menu.

ADDENDUM: Most people don't want to hear your opinion. They want to hear you parrot their opinion.🤔

A person who wants to establish a "Nation" unto God generally has an alternative motive

“Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34-35)

God will judge all men according to they themselves who live in various nations...and not because of being part of a nation. The ideas of theocracy or a country that establishes laws in order to make the nation Christian is doomed to fail...since sin and evil are a matter of and from the heart of man. We see people who claim to be Christian on almost a daily basis who have been uncovered doing sexual sins or theft...so an environment meant to build Christians still has to rely on one thing as a foundation: the person. Conversations from what has become known as a party who wants to establish the USA as a Christian Nation is entirely wrongheaded....and not because it is not possible...it is because it ABSOLUTELY is NOT possible. In all Biblical history the number of attempts have been plentiful...but the end result NEVER fruitful. God has established nations.

Romans 13:1-3: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.

A person who wants to establish a "Nation" unto God generally has an alternative motive: To establish themselves in power. Don't take their bait.

America is not God's Chosen Country.

Religious-right broadcaster and Trump cultist Eric Metaxas is lamenting that a demonic "spirit of division" is dividing the MAGA movement and urging everyone to trust Trump because his presidency has been "God's mercy to America."
Metaxas: "This is a great administration. This is an administration so great we don't deserve it, and this is God's mercy to America to give us these heroes. From Kash Patel, Dan Bongino, Pete Hegseth, down the line; hero after hero after hero."
Metaxas was agog at "the idea that people would snipe in this way" about anything done by Trump and his administration: "At some point, you have to really trust that Donald Trump does care about what we care about. I'll tell you right now folks, if you think Donald Trump would not do everything he possibly could to crush pedophile sex trafficking, I think you're crazy." (By Metaxas definition than I am gladly crazy. )
I Agree WITH THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF EVERYTHING HE SAID. Metaxes wrote a very thick book about Bonhoeffer which, per a review, "gives witness to one man’s extraordinary faith and to the tortured fate of the nation he sought to deliver from the curse of Nazism. It brings the reader face to face with a man determined to do the will of God radically, courageously, and joyfully—even to the point of death."
I still find it mind boggling that he wrote that book but still sides with Trump as a savior of America. But the book did put Bonhoeffer in more of a Christian Nationalist light, then the way I have always viewed Bonhoeffer. America is not Gods chosen country. He sees the heart of the people, not the heart of religious movements, which, there is no movement this side of eternity that God calls His "favorite." Israel is a good example of that. They are blowing up people in other countries, hospitals, foodlines, aid workers, etcc, and saying it was an "accident." ("accidentally" more than just once🙄)