By John Larkins
There can be little doubt as to what our highest priorities must be if we cannot rule out the possibility that there may really be a God and that He has revealed Himself to many people over the last 4,000 years or so.
If we simply scan a few historic sources, we will be struck by the numerous references contained in artwork of all sorts, including writings in modern times. We should note how new and revolutionary the printing press is, a machine that makes written documents easily and inexpensively available. But in a glimpse of civilization in the global Mideast 5,000 years ago, people were already worshiping God and gods, which were numerous and powerful because of the power of their representatives.
At least at this time, the religion loosely called Christianity is most prevalent here in Etowah County. If Christ were to turn out to be your eternal judge, would you have a good lawyer present?
Jesus Christ was born about 2,000 years ago, and when He began teaching at about the age of 30, He established a new Kingdom of God. His mission was foretold in a group called the Israelites, who had a thousand-year history that introduced the world to a particular God that preceded but also coordinated with Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ died, resurrected Himself and commissioned 11 trainees to carry on His teaching. This Church provided the basis for what we now call “civilization.” Over these past 2,000 years, the European world and then the Americas incorporated the basic social rules that Christ promoted into their governmental systems. In the United States, our Declaration of Independence and Constitution claim to reflect the essence of the Christian God.
The basic Christian rules are shown in writings called the Ten Commandments, which briefly are: (1) “I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me. (2) Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (3) Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day. (4) Honor thy father and thy mother. (5) Thou shalt not kill. (6) Thou shalt not commit adultery. (7) Thou shalt not steal. (8) Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. (9) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife. (10) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
At one time, men and women who claimed to be Christian teachers spoke of these rules (Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”) and explained their everyday application in our lives. Since this is no longer done and our current Democrat Communist government is marginalizing Christianity, it seems important to remind ourselves of just what is being taken from us. It is not politics; it Is the basis for our freedoms, and eventually, our salvation. So, if you think we should “keep religion out of politics,” you have fallen for the first big gateway to communist rule.
For example, requiring charitable institutions (pioneered by Christian religions), by U.S. federal law to support infanticide monetarily is not politics; it is religion. We should note that there are all varieties of socialist governments, but the common thread among them is a rejection of God and His values. These slavery-oriented regimes are quick to tell you what they propose is to be more “fair” and more “humane.”
Perhaps you can look over the Ten Commandments and see which ones are being revoked by the Democrat Communist rulers. A heretic Catholic student priest enslaved Cuba 60 years ago, and Cubans are not yet free today, except for the ones living in Florida.
Now, our personal freedom is supported by our Christian beliefs. Losing our freedom is an unpleasant possibility. But, suppose that after our death we find out that our salvation was dependent on our religion?
For the past 15 years, John Larkins has evangelized on the street, door-to-door, in tent revivals and in church situations. Contact him at johnlarkins@bellsouth.net.