An individual cannot proclaim the truth unless he has first heard the truth, and is willing to go tell the truth: tell on mountain tops, tell in valleys, and tell it everywhere (just tell it!). Here is God’s truth: “But he said, yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28). In order to know the truth an individual must “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Three times in this short passage of scripture (Matthew 10:28-33) Jesus bids his disciples not to be afraid. “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Jesus’s love for the truth of God, love for humanity, and his fearlessness set him apart from other religious leaders. The disciples were not to be afraid, because there is nothing covered that will not be unveiled. In the end, evil shall not win. All of us should live in this attitude: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6: 33-34). The comfort for those of us who are Christians can be found in the following scriptures: “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” (Proverbs 3: 24). All Christians should know in their hearts and minds that God has your “lying down and your getting-up” (coming and going). Therefore, “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.” (Proverbs 3: 25).
Wholesome conversation is good for the “soul” when the conversation is constructive for soul salvation, and doing the right thing in the sight of God. Therefore, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13: 5-6). All of God’s children can testify that: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). Now run and tell this!
Wrong-doing on the throne, but not very long. Truth will triumph. Great is the truth. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).
When Andrew Melville was about to be hung by King James the Sixth, Melville cried aloud: “YOU CANNOT HANG OR EXILE TRUTH”. Truth that is crushed to the ground will rise again. Jesus wanted the disciples to know that when the trials and toils of life come; simply remember that the day will come when things shall be seen as they really are. Jesus wanted the Disciples to speak with boldness the truth of God, because what they received in boldness and power they must give in power and courage. Herein lies the true spiritual function of what it means to be a Christian (Christ-like).
There is a higher truth (reality) that individuals must give in account to. It was said of John Knox, that great CHURCHMAN, as they buried him, “HEREIN LIES ONE WHO FEARED GOD SO MUCH THAT HE NEVER FEARED THE FACE OF ANY MAN”.
Some “Christian Americans” might need a strong dose of the “Holy Spirit” (truth) in order to be strengthened in the inner-man. And, of course, an individual can fake strength in the outer-man. That is, showing strength with the flesh, but weak as ice-water on the inside. This scripture tells the whole story: “That he would grant you, according to his riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3: 16-19).
This scripture tells it like it is, because all we have as individuals is the love of God, faith, and “free-will”. Individuals do not own anything. The earth belongs to God, and you are going to die, and the earth, and all of its treasures will remain. Individuals are only buried with covering for their bodies, and over time the covering deteriorates, as well as, your flesh. And, if an individual is to have everlasting life (salvation): your will better be God’s will. “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glory God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Corinthians 6: 19-20).
Morality cannot begin and end at the barrel of guns. And, politics cannot begin and end with lies and money. Or else both invariably will become a pile of human waste. Life as God intended it to be can only exist when spiritually-fair minded individuals create laws that can serve all individuals.
America, we cannot live in “fear” of Cain’s offspring, but know in our hearts that the Cross changed everything. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Selah!