Monday, October 28, 2013

The Fool's Errand Continues

THE FOOL’S ERRAND CONTINUES

The world continues to race with vigor toward an immense and unimaginable justice which will be meted out in front of a Great White Throne. It thinks of nothing but its own desires and interests. And while time is expiring the only hope is Jesus. There is no other way. He alone is the way, the truth, and the life. The prophecies warned us that things would get extremely bad and just get worse and worse. And the world has obliged those prophetic looking glasses by reflecting their truth.

But there is a reality beyond what we can see, and that reality will soon be the only reality. The sin and selfishness and debauchery of this present world will soon be wiped away and the glorious kingdom of Christ will be established for all eternity. And there will be only two places in which all men will spend that eternity. One is called heaven and one is called hell. It does not matter if we like it or even believe it at all. It is coming and every soul will stand before the Great God and have to account for his sins. And the sheep and the goats will be eternally separated on that day.

Can you even fathom the profound seriousness of such an event? Does it seem like so much religious folklore to you? If it does than you are in the mainstream of evangelical thought and practice. You see the American evangelical community has sold their souls for a mess of political and nationalistic pottage, and the prospect of eternity has all but vanished from our hearts and our practices. We now bow before the golden calf of political power and nationalistic fervor. And even our carnal denominations lead the way into the pursuit of temporal change through political persuasion. Here is an example from a man who is the head of the political wing of the Southern Baptist Convention.
 

This kind of earthly energy works directly against the kingdom of God. Oh it may seem so noble to work to make abortion illegal but in the end it has no place in the teachings of the New Testament. This world is an enemy of Christ and the fallen venue of politics has never been the way of Jesus. Sure it is tempting to wander into the political arena and garner votes in order to clean the outside of the cup. But it is a mirage and a fool’s errand to be sure. Not only does it distract us from our eternal task and calling, but it changes absolutely nothing. It soothes the conscience and makes us feel morally self righteous.

But it is much more serious than that. For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction, and in the case of being political the reaction is devastating. When the church goes chasing the idol of politics it leaves the calling of our Redeemer. You cannot serve two masters and you cannot have the power of the Spirit when you are double minded. Either the gospel is the answer or it is not. And if it is the exclusive answer for people and residually their culture is the gospel of Jesus Christ then it must be our literal obsession. There cannot be any compromise here.

You might think that after decades of political activism with little or no reward to show for it that the church would finally get it. But, sadly, the church still trudges through the muck and mire of politics assuming that the next election will be the moral pot of gold. But as the years progressed it wasn’t just morality that energized the church. Now it is also money, capitalism, taxes, Muslims, and Obamacare. How in God’s dear name have we been swept away by the machinations of fallen man and his temporal carousel and in so doing we have left Christ and His everlasting gospel? Like trading filet mignon for cotton candy, experiencing how cotton candy quickly disappears in your mouth, but continuing to pay for more in hopes the next mouthful will be different.

It would impossible to estimate the impact on the church if we had shunned politics and spent all the time and energy in prayer and spreading the gospel. But we continue to be ignorant of a fact of life. The culture in which you live is like undertow. It slowly but surely pulls you into it unless you actively resist its temptations. And instead of recognizing this culture for what it is the church has embraced many facets of its practices and even its philosophies. We all must work and shop and participate in many aspects of any culture, but when you buy into its source of power, its multi-religious sentiment, its obsession with money, and its fallen sense of morality then you have abdicated your allegiance to the teaching and ways of Jesus.

And the article to which I linked illustrates clearly just how deep the church has delved into this fallen culture and all its systems. And millions upon millions of dollars are spent attempting to wield influence upon this system. And while that is happening the church continues to evolve into a religious reflection of that system and culture. To think you can play in mud and not get dirty is a self serving illusion. But let us be honest. The sense of competition in politics appeals to the flesh as well as now and then a sense of victory.

You see the prayer closet has no sense of earthly competition or victory. The prayer closet is never results oriented. But politics generates much heat and little light. But people feel as if they are being moral, and now economic, champions when within the rough and tumble of politics. But if they are believers they are deceived. But allow me to swing the door wide open here and pull all the clothes off of the emperor.

The reason believers are active within the fallen political system is clear and simple. They love and have an allegiance to a country called America. And the majority of that love and allegiance can be traced simply because they were born on this part of the planet. And just where can we glean that principle from Scripture? We cannot, and in fact everything in the New Testament points us to a celestial country not of this world and yet somehow professing believers feel that God created and blessed America in a very special way. Not only is that demonstrably absurd historically but it is manifestly and almost deliberately being embraced against the clear teaching of Scripture. In effect sentimentality and a sense of community have trumped obedience to the New Testament.

But I cannot see this fool’s errand abating any time soon. However under the radar there are a growing number of believers who have had a spiritual epiphany about the entire mess. Not only have they been discouraged and frustrated by the political system, but the Spirit has opened their eyes to the fallen nature of the system itself. In other words many of us have come to the conviction the God never intended for His people to become involved in these kinds of earthly endeavors.

II Tim.2: Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

God is not impressed with your energy or your organization or even your sincerity. Obedience is better than sacrifice. And you cannot get entangled with the wars, political or otherwise, and still claim to be pursuing a separated and sanctified life, if indeed that is even a goal anymore. And the political harangue concerning the next election has already begun like Christmas lights put out in July. And churches are gearing up for the next battle to the point of prophesying that some candidates are anointed by God to take dominion over this nation like the kings in the Old Testament. The entire spectacle is a three ring circus and has nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with Jesus and His kingdom.

We can only pray that the Spirit will illuminate more and more believers to the worthlessness, and even sinfulness, of this fallen system.

27 comments:

Steve said...

After 30+ years, it seems clear that the "pro-life" political faction (with a few exceptions) is only against abortion as an "issue" which will further their ambitions. They don't really mean it from the heart.

By contrast, compare how that faction has acted regards "Obamacare." Within 2 years of that law's passage, they had it before the Supreme Court, trying to strike it down. Later that same year (this year), they came within a hair's breadth of shutting down our government unless "Obamacare" was defunded.

In 30+ years the "pro-life" faction has held the Presidency 20 years, controlled Congress more than half that time, and ALWAYS composed the Supreme Court majority. The fact they've done nothing substantial to stop abortion is ample proof they don't really want to.

Saying you believe something, when you don't really, is called "hypocrisy."

Why do Christians (such as the S.B.C. leader) still believe we should follow that faction because they're "against" abortion ? Willful blindness ? Unwillingness to look at reality honestly ? Spiritual blindness ? All of the above ?

In Jesus, Steve

Rick Frueh said...

Good comment, Steve. I to have wondered why no [pro-life president has ever offered a bill to outlaw abortion. And yet they are hyper over Obamacare. The answer is one might affect their pocketbooks.

Anonymous said...

Russell Moore is worried about the 'culture of death' in regards to abortion. Is he aware that any nation that must survive must have a military for defense and sometimes has to go to war and accidentally kill unarmed pregnant women? Or kill young children? Isn't that a 'culture of death'? Or do these people not count?

A culture of death - everywhere we look and read on news every day, there's a shooting occuring somewhere in the US that takes innocent lives. Some states execute their criminals to death. Young children are being killed by their neglectful parents leaving firearms unattended. The culture of death? This man lives and depends on the fruit of the labour of profits from the weaponry industries. The man doesn't even address the issues of the increased gun victims and wouldn't 'touch' the mighty NRA giant, who wish to arm every American if they could. Is that a culture of life in Jesus?

The hypocrisy knows no bounds. I'm sorry, I just get so upset when I read about this. I have to put on my whole armor of God at times like these.

Anonymous said...

I confess that I almost fell for this kind of spiritual deception while being exposed to evangelists coming to the churches I attended(years ago), talking about the role of America and Israel and intertwining them in scripture as though God had a special destiny prepared for these and how we were all called to support anyone or anything that was a friend of Israel, etc. We would pray, for the US and Israel. In fairness, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this.

But I started questioning why we didn't pray for Israel's neighbors too? If Christ died and came for all, shouldn't we be concerned about every soul on earth? Why make specific prayer for those we can only benefit monetarily from? Would the fact that oil is a big commodity in the Middle East have something to do with this? Let's stand behind the nation that Abraham's covenant of promise with the Lord (through Isaac) and get the bounty of abraham's promise and take the oil while we're at it) kind-of-thinking. I was appalled that christians didn't see the root of this folly. I could see that thinly veiled 'political' thread weaving itself in everything I learned from prophecy scholars. I always remembered the verse, God is no respecter of persons.

The unchurched years for me brought me closer to this truth that Rick teaches here and I am so thankful to God for him and others who are seeing how far the church has strayed.

I'm from Canada, and am sure readers here too are from different parts of the world; our churches are very much influenced by what evengelists from the US preach. We are intertwined together and the "kingdom now" philosphy is spreading.

It's incredible, like I said in my earlier post, (where I forgot to signature), that this 'culture of death' that these political preachers accuse us of being in, dismisses the other kind of 'death' the nation thrives in. It's everywhere, kids feeling hopeless and committing suicide, mothers who neglect their children and leave them dying in a hot locked up car while their drinking in a bar, etc. etc. etc. (I could name all the inhumane news stories that we constantly read about everyday).......what's the difference between that sin and the sin or abortion? We live right in the midst of all these sins and no one blinks an eye? But when it comes to a topic that they can get their hands green in cash for (bought and paid for by millionnaire and billionnaire lobbyists) then all of a sudden these political preachers feel they must preach against a "culture of death".

THe Lord sees this and how it must grieve Him so.......all we can do is pray that blinded eyes are opened.

J.

Anonymous said...

Just checking for edit errors on my posts. I want to clarify that when I wrote in Anon. 11:14 post, where I wrote: "This man lives and depends on the fruit of the labour of profits from the weaponry industries".....I am not saying he (Russell Moore) personally profits from these, but that he lives in a country where the capitalistic ways benefit us all, him included. And we all benefit from the different industries who profit and generate income for us, our families, etc. We are all in the machine every day. So, we all live in a world that encourages the "culture of death" is some way, where we don't even realize it.

J.

Rick Frueh said...

True, J.. But in reality Moore lives off the offerings of Southern Baptist people which should be God's money and put to support and spread the kingdom of God.

Anonymous said...

We have cried out “We want a king to rule over us, just like the other nations around us.” Now we are crying out “Give us a king that will not take away our comfortable living arrangements.” God is still on His throne waiting for us to cry out to Him for salvation. We have a King already, He is beside us everyday saying “I AM here I will be your King, all you have to do is ask Me and it will be done.”

All this going on is a distraction, men who put themselves into positions of importance, instead of putting Jesus the Christ as Head of everything. Satan has wormed his way into so called Christian organizations and is wreaking havoc there. I am surprised, yet again not surprised, that with all the degrees that these men have in their studies of the Bible that they themselves do not see this also. Like I said before I did not go to Bible College, I went to a horseshoeing school.

It is the lack of the Word of God, which Word is Jesus.

Joel

michael said...

In 2 Timothy 2:4 there's a Greek word that when you follow it through the New Testament you should be able to understand the severity of this situation this article uncovers and unmasks so well.

I will cut and paste the Greek word and definitions and the eleven verses where it is used. If you're not surprised I'd be testing yourself to see if you truly are of His Faith and why you are not troubled by what is revealed:

βίος
Transliteration: bios
Pronunciation: bē'-os
Part of Speech: masculine noun
Root Word (Etymology): a primary word
Outline of Biblical Usage:
life
life extensively
the period or course of life
that by which life is sustained, resources, wealth, goods
KJV Translation Count:
11 Total life 5, living 5, good 1
Tap to see Thayer's Lexicon
Concordance Results (ESV)
Mar 12:44
For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Luk 8:14
And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
Luk 15:12
And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.
Luk 15:30
But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
Luk 21:4
For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
1Ti 2:2
for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
2Ti 2:4
No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
1Jo 2:16
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
1Jo 3:17
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

Anonymous said...

I think it is right to desire to warn people about the dangers of abortion, The foolish are those who think it is foolish to desire to oppose abortion.

Cherie c. said...

This is not new news. Political fervor by Christians or those who profess to be. Look at Billy Graham; he is label counsel to the Presidents. We know he needs to repent.

What has become new is believers who run from evil. My sister told me that Obama is an anti-colonialist.

www.americanthinker.com/.../barack_obama_anticolonialist_or_neocom...

Also, the chem trails are a big issue with YouTube videos etc.

She told me that she heard/read/was told, doesn't make a difference, that Obama wants to cause an earthquake in the Galapagos Islands which would cause a huge tsunami and flood the eastern seaboard. She is moving to the mountains. She has lived by me and is now moving. And shows like doomsday preppers also contributes to this growing distraction. That is why all the 2nd amendment rights issue is so big.

My view is why run? We all know evil is perpetuated every single day and running my help for a while, but some day evil will meet up with us no matter where we are. If I am to go home by way of massive flood, I just pray it doesn't hurt too much. Where am I to go? There is no where to go. Fear mongers are also a deception and a distraction to the church. Perfect love casts out fear. The perfect love of Christ.

Pastor Rick, have you heard of this? Has anyone heard of this?

It is depressing to say the least. And I must confess, it does scare me from time to time each time I see a plane with white dust coming from out of the back of the plane and it doesn't disappear quickly. No one seems to notice though. Some is cold vapor, but what is the stuff that hangs in the air? Should it matter to us? I do not think so. No one likes to think about what we may call an untimely death, but God knows our last day. So I get comfort out of that.

What are your thoughts brothers and sisters? Do you fear God more than Man? Seems my sister fears both. Please pray for her and her family. Brannon Howse of World View Weekend is big into all things anti-Christ and he thinks he is doing a service bringing it to our attention. But in the mean time, his web site is full of ads for something to purchase. His conferences are a pay for view item, some are free but you don't hear much about the free ones. He has allowed all kinds of religious leaders, he agrees with, to be on his site. All this important information he says we need to know but have to pay for. He lives a luxurious life too and part of his "ministry" is to expose the heresy of other rich church leaders. Go figure.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion making money isn't something dirty but something clean and honorable.

The error before God that many make is robbing people! The error before God is using and exploiting other people.

Cherie c. said...

I have the name of the islands incorrect. They are located off the coast of Spain.

Another thing you will notice about Brannon Howse's website, little or no Gospel. But lots of ways to spend money. How is this serving God?

His media empire grows. Discernment ministries are now all the rage. If you have the right topics and you can get the audience, you got it made. Like shooting fish in a barrel.

Pray for me please too, I have far to go too. Can't wait for the day I can relax a bit in my faith.

your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.

Anonymous said...

Definition of the current "God Is Dead" movement: The average American Christian after an election in which the Conservative Republican doesn't win.

Anonymous said...

Dear Rick: Do you sincerely, honestly believe that the proper reaction for a true Christian, when personally faced with ANY kind of evil in the world, is to walk on by with his nose in the air saying, "Oh, well, it's God's will. Come quickly, Lord. Until you return, we can't do anything about anything down here, and neither can you."

Rick Frueh said...

There are many, many things believers are called to do. The New Testament is filled with exhortations to believers. However politics is not one of them.

Anonymous said...

It occurs to me that we here, in the west, are born into a culture that was christianized. The first church in Acts was born in a culture of idol and pagan worship with greek and roman gods. They were the minority, today we live quite securely because we are the majority.

Of course, the 'christianization' isn't true christian living; it is a branch off of the true gospel.

I think it's harder to live amongst those who profess Christ in this watered down version, than living in the Old Roman Empire. The unseen church has to endure watching the delusion setting in to the brethren we trusted and had confidence in. It would have been easier to reach those who had never heard.

And, what Cherie is going through with her sister is becoming more and more common as we approach His Coming, I believe. in Luke 12:51, Jesus said: "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division, For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son, and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

I hear this already beginning to happen in households. Varieties of christians, some who add to the scripture another gospel, (patriotism) have already broken ties with family members because they don't agree. And in some circles, if God and Guns aren't included in the way of thinking, then there are more divisions. Everyone is confused and no wonder we are feeling the brunt of it. There is spiritual warfare going on and I really am so thankful to be closed in and alone and just being alone with bible and trusted friends here. And even then, if we come to earth-shaking disagreements, we'll be separating ourselves again........these are the last days.

J.

Anonymous said...

Rick, have you found anything in the Bible that says I shouldn't work in local government or politics? Have you found anything in the Bible that says I shouldn't attend a church service when I want to? Have you found anyting in the Bible that says attending Christian conferences is wrong? Have you found anything in the Bible that says praying for Jerusalem is unbiblical?
Have you found something in the Bible that says we shouldn't study prophecy?

I shall wait for your clear replies!



Rick Frueh said...

After all my posts and you ask those question? Obviously this blog is not for you...or is it.

Anonymous said...

Rick, why then did the LORD give us prophecy? Was it for Bible teachers to snub their nose at it or does the LORD rather want Bible teachers to study prophecy with great earnestness?

Prophecy is God's living word. Why do you falsely downgrade its role in the Bible?

Rick Frueh said...

Where do I downgrade prophecy?

Cherie c. said...

Pastor Rick,

Please do not engage this person any longer. They are obviously not reading your posts in context just like they are not reading the Bible in context. Who ever this is is more interested in being argumentative than learning.

There is a motive here that is not godly and I would be sad to see this person agitate you to the point of causing you to sin.

At some point, as I have been taught, and as you know, we have to just rebuke them and pray for them in the hope they come to repentance. Do not allow this person to engage you in a war of words that does nothing but bring contention. But than again, I learned that from you.

Praying for you Pastor Rick.

your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.

Cherie c. said...


Predestine, Predestination





Predestination is the doctrine that God has foreordained all things which will come to pass yet he is not the author of sin. He does, however, use sinful things for His glory and purpose. For example, the crucifixion was brought about by sinful men who unjustly put Jesus to death (Acts 4:27); yet, in that death, we are reconciled to God (Rom. 5:10).

Predestination maintains that God is the one who decides who will be saved (Rom. 9:16) and that it is not up to the desire of the person (John 1:13). God is the one who ordains the Christian into forgiveness, "...and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48). Also, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and who He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified," (Rom. 8:29-30). Further verses to examine are Eph. 1:4,11; Rom. 9. (See also Election and Sovereignty.)


Could the above information I found on CARM be true? If so then perhaps the Anonymous cannot understand your posts? And, my husband and two sons will go to hell? How can this be? And again, they have scripture to back it up. Some help in understanding what is going would be greatly appreciated. God does do things for His good pleasure, Isaiah 46:10. He does know all things past, present and future. So could it be that we are not doctrinally correct? I thought those passages were referring to the Apostles. Am I wrong? Thank you.

your sister in Christ Jesus, I hope,
Cherie c.

Anonymous said...

Cherie,
Predestination is a true biblical concept. As far as your husband or two sons are concerned it is important to not to say speculative things about them. Your role is to fight on their behalf patiently and with perseverance.

Anonymous said...

All these scriptures refer to everyone!

Cherie c. said...

What do you mean fight? Fight God? If He had predestined those who are saved then what about them? They do not believe! They are in the apostate camp. Two say they are saved, they don't kill, steal, etc. They think they're fine and they are not. One is an atheist. Believes in science, philosophy and psychology. Are you sure the predestination wasn't just to apply to the Apostles?

All I can do is beg for mercy on their behalf to God. Hoping He can see the Glory it will bring Him. Other than that, it doesn't look good. Do you think I take lightly the things I said? I don't. My stomach aches with the thought.

I know it has to be God's will, but I pray it still has something to do with them realizing their sin, repent and seek forgiveness.


Anonymous said...


The wonderful thing Cherie is that you are prayful. A Christian can come boldly before the LORD. We don't fight Him but work as His ambassadors!

Praying without ceasing belongs to our portfolio. Don't be put off if one of your sons calls himself an atheist because God can save anyone no matter what they call themseves!

I was a sexual pervert for decades yet the LORD miraculously freed me from being enslaved to Satan.

Don't forget, Cherie, that Almighty God is all powerful. And what does His inspired word say? It says that the prayer of a righteous man or woman availeth much!

Be encouraged Cherie, for the LORD can reveal our sinfulness to us, grant a place of repentance to us and give us an earnest desire to seek forgiveness from Him in a manner that glorifies Lord Jesus Christ.

Don't let the word predestination get in the way of you "fighting" on behalf of your husband, two sons and sister and everyone else that you desire to experience fully the love of the Lord of Lords.

Anonymous said...

Cherie, In 2 Peter 3:9 it says that God is long suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. So praying for the salvation of all our loved ones is God's will. We need to trust Him and be patient..have faith that our prayers will be answered in His timing.

I believe what was predestined was God's plan for us to be adopted into His family through salvation in His Son and that our sins are forgiven through the blood that Jesus shed on the cross...Not that God decided from the beginning that he was going to redeem some and not redeem others but that God wanted "WHOSOEVER will believe on Him to be saved."

Titus 2:11 for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to ALL MEN.

Jann