INNOCENT
BLOOD
Prov.6: 16 These
six things doth the Lord hate:
yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying
tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
We as
believers are bound to oppose the killing of innocent people. Of course there
is a discussion about all killing, but this post is not about that. Among other
things, this is why we as believers are against abortion. We are against
killing the innocent. And even though our calling must always be the gospel of
redemption, sometimes our view of things within the culture helps to let people
understand that we now see all things differently because of Jesus.
The United
States does not speak or act on my behalf. I am a citizen of heaven and God’s
Word speaks for me. But the United States is fast becoming a force to be reckoned
with as it pertains to drones. A drone is an unmanned airplane which can do surveillance
and then drop bombs. Now I would like to reveal something to you.
Drones have
killed thousands of innocent lives because of “collateral damage”. That means
that when the military believes a terrorist is living in a certain
neighborhood they drop a bomb on the house they believe he is in. They hope to
kill only him, but that rarely happens. Innocent people usually die including
women and children sometimes.
What level
of intelligence is the threshold for giving the go ahead for a drone strike? Is
it fairly sure, very sure, almost positive, or perhaps? And if we are almost
positive that a terrorist is in a certain house, and if we drop a drone bomb on
that house, and if the terrorist is killed along with other innocent people,
does that cause us such concern that we abandon the practice? Obviously we
still are dropping drone bombs so the killing of innocent people has not been an
obstacle that would stop us.
Now here is
my question: If we received intelligence that a terrorist had been smuggled
into the United States, and if we received positive information that he was hiding
in a house in a neighborhood in Chicago, would it be alright to drop a drone
bomb in that neighborhood? Why not? The answer is because we would be risking
the lives of innocent American citizens. Now what does that tell you, class?
That openly
reveals that Americans feel their lives are worth more than say Pakistani or
Afghani lives, or if we are honest, any other lives that are not American. But
the pertinent question for followers of Jesus is this: Is that the way and
heart of Jesus? You see, even though no one can be saved except through faith in Jesus Christ, sometimes what we as His followers believe makes a difference. To the world it sometimes accentuates our differences and hopefully makes men curious as to why.
But obviously the problem is that we have too many who claim to
follow Jesus but who in practice follow George Washington.
Posts
9 comments:
I was watching the video of Rabbi Cahn during his sermon at an inaugural prayer breakfast on a site. I can't agree with the idea that God is still in the business of being specifically interested only in the United States as His replacement chosen nation. It makes no biblical sense. Men are sinners. They sin in Canada and they sin in Mexico and they sin in the U.S. and in every nation. Where or when did Jesus command his apostles and disciples, "Go ye into every congress, senate, king's quarters, parliaments of the world, Greek and Roman halls of power, republics, democracies, religious strongholds, and political powers to spread His gospel?
Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Of course if a founding father or a military mighty man were on the road, they would also be included in hearing the message; but like all men, they would be individually responsible to accept it or reject it. I don't ever read where Jesus made special instructions to a future great nation, a government that would carry His Name on a shining city on a hill, and that nation would be righteous, and followers of Jesus would have the upper hand on keeping sinners and lawbreakers out, hated, spurned, and mocked in His Name.
I can understand that God can get people's attention when national tragedies occur, but to believe that only one nation gets special treatment because, several hundred years ago, it APPEARS that it's inception included Him as a symbol of motivation on their documents does not make that nation "righteous". The righteous acts of our ancestors can't make us any more clean in God's eyes. We are all under the microscope and are responsible for our own souls. Other dead men can't keep us lifted up high in God's eyes. It's only the blood of Jesus through repentence by each individual. I cannot believe that God judges each one of us by our geographic location.
I can't imagine anyone feeling superior over another when their tax dollars pay for drone attacks, and all other insidious acts. No nation's government or military is squeaky clean. We are all in this world, and it's tentacles has it's way with all of us, whether we want to admit it or not. If we live and breathe, then automatically, we are contributing some way in a government's nefarious deeds. Yet Jesus understands this.
So good to read this post by Rick. It brings to mind the 6 abominations that God hates. Yes, the abominations that the western church bring up are ones that are easy to finger-point, especially when one has absolutely no fleshly urgings of an unnatural sort. It's easy to feel self-righteous when one doesn't have to daily fight a yearning or daily fight an incestuous family member that may get a young girl pregnant and ultimately aborts. When that kind of sin doesn't affect one, it's easy to attack others who yield to it.
It's quite interesting that an "abomination" to God is a proud look; a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. Dear Lord, I wince when I'm reminded of Hiroshima. Innocents, women, children, babies. Where is the weeping? Prophets come to Washington and talk about God's punishments because of abortion. But never a mention of the slaughtering of Native Americans, or the blood-curdling stories of African slaves in chains? Or the Civil Wars, the Mexican wars, Asian internment camps, death row, and the increase in street killings? But, the abominations take place every day under the guise of that "City on a Shining Hill". And the prophets shove these sins under the carpet because it doesn't serve their self-interest; they can't rub shoulders with the government elite, or sell their books and create their dominion on earth.
Timely and provoking post, Brother.
I just read this morning that the US has approved drone killing of Americans, if they are suspcted terrorists. It happened in Pakistan. American target or not, I saw a photo and was grieved that our nation is doing this, and that it is feeling so very righteous in doing so.
Those who hold to just war and now war on terror, which has "new" horrible "rules" like drone attacks, argue that we have no choice, or we and everyone who is not a terrorist will be anihilated. Their argument shows they have no real faith in the sovereignty of God, and that they will pick and choose when and in what circumstances to obey the words of Jesus. I know they are well-meaning but deceived, so I cannot be angry in judgment by pointing out their error. But it's important that we see and articlulate the error, because some will have their eyes and hearts opened, and escape the corruption. (As He has been merciful to bring me out.)
Scripture teaches that anger begets more anger, that those who live by the sword (or drone attack?) will die by it, but that a soft answer turns away wrath. The conflicts of this world will not be "solved." The world will not eventually get good enough by the christian culture taking over everything through wordly means, so that Jesus comes back to a perfect peaceable world. Their error in using war is only escalating the hate and violence. It's the crusades all over again.
The people who know their God have only one option: to come out of this world into His Kingdom which operates by an entirely opposite wisdom. We can't "fix" the evil world; but we are given power in Him to call men into the Ark of safety which is Christ.
Just after 9/11, even though the President was a Christian, our nation's only response was to more force and more violence. There was no humility nor turning to the Lord in repentant seeking of mercy and wisdom--not by the visible church much less the governing leaders. No one will win this war. Yet we can proclaim that Jesus has already triumphed, and take care to be found in Him, and live the demonstration of His wisdom in this world Eph.3:8-12.
Oh I'm preaching again....sorry. I can sound so bossy...not meant that way.
Victoria
Anonymous 10:04, you are quite articulate and I appreciate the clarity you bring to the issue.
Grateful,
Victoria
And the thing is, we as citizens of the world, or a nation, can't really know what the heart of our leaders are. God truly knows what is in their hearts. When I hear of a leader who claims he's a follower of Christ, and has been reborn, it's wonderful. But, even then, these people may or may not take some parts of the bible seriously. We like to think they do, but, any man or woman who puts themselves in a superpower national leadership position knows they will have to compromise many of their actions and contradict the bible and their consciences. We should never idolize any of them(like so many do with the late Ronald Reagan or with President Obama).
If a christian has a personal walk with the Lord, he will mature to the point that he will not want to be in a position to send young soldiers to war. He won't want to be in a position where he sees millions and billions spent on elections, power plays, political bartering, smearing campaigns, mocking Afghanistan presidents on twitter, or jokingly singing, "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran". Yet we ordinary christian citizens are commanded to pray for our leaders, whoever they are. Any man who follows after Christ (not lukewarm) will have a conscience that keeps him from catering to any political parties who demand that another nation's nuclear sites be destroyed pre-emptively. A mature christian will not want to participate in any of it. So anyone who seeks national Office may have many areas of their heart that aren't convicted and if they say they are christian, that leaves a lot to consider. Whether a leader is democrat or republican, we can see with our eyes and hear with our ears their walking testimony. If they surround themselves with proud men, lying men, and hands that shed innocent blood, (even in the name of self-defense), they don't cut the cloth of being a truly repentant arrived christian. In their future lives, they may be. If the American Church relies on their leader to carry their righteousness - they are deluded. No leader, even if he is a christian-in-progress can carry the sins of the nation. Only Jesus can.
We can cast aspersion on a democrat who has no problem with abortion or non-traditional marriage, but why do we look the other way when competitive leaders (proclaimed christians) dishonor God by mocking other leaders of other faiths. Don't they realize that personal favoritism, boasting of exceptionalism is wrong. Our leaders show no christian example to other nations if they refuse to submit to whomever God has appointed to other seats of power. Romans 13 says, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves".
I suppose this verse means that an average christian be submissive to whatever leader God (and voters) have placed in our midst. Being a national leader and being a christian will conflict with that person's actions when he has to defend his country. But, because we live in the world and depend military protection, we too, are in conflict with our inner man, as christians, because we reap the benefits of the killing and the blood-letting. So none of us are justified by ourselves, this is why we all need Jesus Christ's righteousness.
A document nor a seated president does not make a nation righteous. Only our Savior has that power.
Anon:
Kings? Reading Scripture compels Truth be told to Leaders whether or not they are a King or Queen:
Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind— so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of him; for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. (Isaiah 52:13-15 ESV)
Sometimes the sense I feel by these draconian measures though contemporary that they are is they can justify them by Old Testament verses such as these:
Outdoors the sword shall bereave, and indoors terror, for young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs. (Deuteronomy 32:25 ESV)
Or
And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. (Numbers 16:31-33 ESV)
In both verses one can see nursing babies and children suffered for the sins of their parents!
Only problem with taking the lead with these verses which it does seem the article articulates well is the Truth Himself is not being considered :
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1, 2).
Oh well, we are faced with some troubling Truth with this article today!
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20, 21 ESV)
And not pleasing or satisfying ourselves!
Sorry, Bro. Rick, just one more thought. Anon. here.
I'm wondering how a U.S. senator who knows there's an Iranian christian pastor in an Iranian jail cell for 8 years can loosely make fun of President M. Ahmajinedad. I presume this young pastor has already forgiven his captors and his President. Who are we to throw arrows at foreign leaders and put foreign christians at risk who are paying the price on foreign soil?
Is there no reason or common sense anymore? The conservative news cycle keeps pushing possible war scenarios where they don't even exist in some cases. It's like there's a spirit out there that wants paranoia and fear and war. It's like we are living in a time where something wicked is pushing and striving for a conflict. They don't really care about individuals. The top dollar is the only motive.
And what makes me depressed is hearing about yet another republican spokesman who tweeted hurtful things about a young dead boy, Trayvon Martin. I just don't know where this much hate can be so exposed. I read somewhere where some churches rescheduled Sunday evening services because members wanted to stay home to watch the SuperBowl.
And, a part of the church believes these aren't signs of a great falling away? And more christians seem to be coming out of the woodwork who love the idea that others will be thrown into the Lake of Fire, or burn in hell. They don't just believe it and shudder, and mercifully try to warn others, but they relish the idea that their brand of sinner will be in torment forever. I'm believing it, but I don't want to believe it, that what I'm seeing from churchpeople that I looked up to. No more.
Just thought I'd add that. Blessings from the Lord to all.
Unchurched Anon.
Unchurched Anon again........sorry.....I can't edit my last post and noticed I breezed by too quickly at the end. I meant to say, "May the Lord bless you all".
After reading that salutation (LOL) (Blessings from the Lord to all) - really, today isn't so well with my word- mixing Anyway, it sure didn't sound right.
In indiscriminate drone bomb that kills children is nothing but a late abortion.
I have nothing to add to these great comments. To all, I truly love the fellowship after a great teaching by Pastor Rick.
May God keep us in His care as we fellowship in these last days. Innocent Blood is shed whether by bomb or by hands. Your heart sinks when you hear of such things.
All is wrong in the sight of our Lord. The Lord will avenge the evil when He comes back.
your sister in Christ Jesus
Cherie c.
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