Verdict Is In

Verdict Is In

“What our forefathers with so much difficulty secured, do not basely relinquish.”

William Bradford

            The famous French novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, describes how hatred monopolizes lives. Taking place during the formation of the early American republic (1815–1838), because of the hatred of some friends, the French count was wrongfully charged and imprisoned but later escaped prison. Through a series of remarkable coincidences, gained much wealth and then spent his wealth in the hatred of punishing those who had wronged him. It is so essential that we do not let hatred ruin our lives. How easy it would be for one who has spent most of his life in a long night of blackness (blind veteran) to let hatred rule his life, even those who support the government that did and does continue to wrong him.

            Recently, I was asked to attend a meeting at a Christian college, a fundraising event for the Christian college. The speaker was a former governor of the state, democrat, a man who did and continues to support a political party so  totally anti-Christian....a political party supporting the killing of babies (abortion), mockery of marriage (same sex marriage), depravity regarding the gay agenda involving homosexuals in the military.

            This Christian writer is still waiting for one democrat, even a conservative southern democrat, to come to him with an explanation of why any Christian would stay in and support the democrat party, a party who, at their national convention in Charlotte, NC voted to take God out of their party platform. The verdict is in, democrats hate God, life, Christian marriage, the transcendental concepts involving not only the military services but every absolute regarding right and wrong. How can any Christian support the democrat party? How can any Christian college support on campus speakers so corrupted by Satanic forces? The verdict is in, IF, modern technology, wisdom of the 21st century, could prove that God is a myth, Jesus was the world's greatest hoax, today's churches would continue to function...so enjoying their song services, suppers, watering their garden of "do-good-ism," so enjoying the social activities of the church. Most church people, not wealthy enough for country clubs, sports clubs, civic clubs, fraternal organizations but desiring socializing with others. In the 20th century, churches which at one time were real Bible believing witnesses to Christ, became instruments of Madison Avenue techniques, rather than depending on the power of God. They made a beggar of God, begging people (even those who bore the name of Christ) to come to worship services, to give cheerfully to God's work. They had the attitude that God needed them rather than they needing God.

            The verdict is in, today's church members, pastors, ministries, have never realized that every solo, sermon, every "supposed" Christian's life, to the unbelieving world, is a verdict regarding the evidence of belief in the "believer."

            The verdict is in, when church members-visitors exit the church house, telling the preacher that they "enjoyed" his sermon, the preacher can know that he did not preach the gospel....only one message: sins ruin and Christ redemption. There is nothing in that message for people to enjoy. When will the Christian church world learn that we contribute nothing at all to our salvation? It is a total and complete gift of God, provided by the atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection from the dead. When Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30), "the veil of the temple was rent top to bottom" (not almost to the bottom) (Matthew 27:51), he had done it all. There is not a checklist left for man to complete, to finish the job.

            The verdict is in, 70% of all young people, from church going homes, when they leave the home, go to college or to a job, leave the church.

            The verdict is in, young people, the millions of baby boomers, left the church because their faith learned there, seen there, heard there, was based on feeling not fact. Christianity is a fact based on 2,000 years of doctrine-evidence.

            The verdict is in, 40% of graduates, Christian colleges, seminaries, do not support God's work. Thousands of Christian ministers leave their pastorates every year. The divorce rate among ministers is as high as that of unbelievers. Most Christian denominations are shrinking in numbers. Most Christian churches, looking over those on pews, congregation of white hair.

            The verdict is in, Satan like a hot dry wind has parched and hardened hearts. The supernatural Jesus Christ, if preached, if believed, still has the power to change the world. If Christians gave evidence of salvation and joy, all the world would want what they have. The all sufficient God of the universe, in order to be God, does not have a need for anything. Before the foundation of the world, God chose those who would spend eternity with him (Ephesians 1), those who are his workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), those he would brag about through all eternity "of whom the earth was not worthy" (Hebrews 11:38).

            One of this writers many interests, visiting old-large cemeteries. You often wondered what happened during the hyphen between the date of birth and the date of death, so many just threw their lives away. I remember visiting Francis Thompson's grave, St. Mary's cemetery, London. I have visited Napoleon's tomb in Paris. These, like so many others, just threw their lives away. Like taking poison and expecting someone else to die. In the old family cemeteries, a large pile of dirt at the side, so when a grave caved-sunken in (showing the casket had rotted away), the grave could be filled in with dirt. This is the reality of life and death. No one needs evidence to prove anything about this verdict, man chose the spirit of death. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).