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.