Collectivists, Individualists, and Christians

Collectivists, Individualists, and Christians

Barbara Henderson

There is a giant battle raging in the United States between the Collectivists and the Individualists.  The opponents call themselves different things, but none of them really call themselves Collectivist or even Individualist.  Never the less, that is what they are. 

There isn’t a short definition of either Collectivist or Individualist.  In a nut shell, Collectivists collect EVERYTHING they can get away with.  They collect people, property, the wealth other people have worked for (common good you know), and anything they can get on a hook and reel in.  They see the government as the ‘keeper’ of all things.  Actually, on some level, they are trying to force humanity to mutate or evolve into a something like a giant ant colony, with most of the population functioning sort of like blood veins, muscles, and organs in one giant body.  Government will be the brain, keeping everything running smoothly.  In the dream world of the Collectivist the working class has no more right to determine their own future than the red blood cell has to determine its future.  It is an absolutely disgusting ideology, denying even the basics of human dignity to the individual.  That is just a few of the high points of Collectivism.

An Individualist on the other hand is one who wants to take responsibility for his or her own life.  They want the government to provide a safe environment in which they can live and work, but government must always be limited to the least level of power required to provide a safe structure in which to live.  An Individualist believes in self-reliance, self-determination, and independent living. 

There are extreme Individualists who are Anarchists.  They disregard all rules of government and civilized society. 

A society is always moving in one direction or another.  They are traveling toward a more Collectivist society, or a more Individualist society.  Either side usually makes very small gains that eventually add up to big gains.  It is a real war constantly being fought.  Sometimes it is fought in the political arena.  Eventually, when the Collectivists are strong enough, the war will be fought with armies who simply take over.  (Russia 1917)

The United States House of Representatives is currently controlled by those calling their selves Republicans.  Some Republicans truly are Individualists to some degree.  Others are out and out Collectivists who have simply joined the Republican party to further their goals.  They have no scruples about lying to the citizens.  It is the duty of the citizens to figure out who the liars are and vote them out of office .  The enemy of the Individualist is the ideology of the Collectivist mindset. Most of the Democrats are Collectivists to a large degree.  Some are extreme Collectivists.  They are constantly pushing for ‘social reforms’ that take from the Individuals and give to the Collective.

It is so irritating to hear politicians and the news media chastising Congress because they ‘aren’t getting anything done.’   That is so ridiculous.  First of all, every day that Individualists in Congress stop the Collectivists from gaining more ground is a successful day.  Those favoring the Individualist way of life need to stand up and cheer.  Conservatives in Congress are taking a pounding from every direction.  How can the Collectivist agenda of the Democrats be stopped if the goal is changed to ‘just to all get along? 

Don’t the collectivist strategy of  ‘changing the public’s perception of the problem’ fool you. 

The problem is what does or does not get done.  The problem is not getting along.

In any society, there are going to be elements of both Collectivism and Individualism.  Families form small Collectives.  People are born into specific Cultures.  Cultures in themselves are somewhat collective in nature.  People naturally tend to stay within the culture in which they were born and raised.  Certainly the family as formed by God is good.  God also established government.  Government is necessary to provide a level of civilized society and safety for people.

But a line has to be drawn regarding what controls the government is allowed to place on the individuals of any society.   I mean if you believe all men are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, then you have to draw a line somewhere on what a government can actually do. 

Bigger government is virtually always evil. 

The bigger government becomes, the more insane it becomes.  It has no thought for the good of the individual.

Big government becomes like an evil entity, drunk with its own power and importance.

It is vampire-ish in nature – sucking the life’s blood out of the economy.

It is incapable of seeing what is actually for the good of society, seeing only what is good for the Collectivists themselves.

It creates both addicts and worshippers in the same person.  Big government creates addicts through entitlement programs.  People are given a stipend on which they are to live, and given no way to escape.  The entitlement addicts see the government as their provider.  They go the government for their needs and never consider God Almighty who has unlimited resources and knows them by name.  Powerful Collectivists like those in congress begin to see themselves as almost deity.  Today they are the ‘champions’ of the poor and needy today.  Tomorrow, they see themselves as the savior of the poor and needy.  They are drunk with the wine of self-importance.

Collectivism is eventually a forced form of government.  People are forced to give up their individual rights for the ‘good of something or other’.  Individuals, given the choice, will very often make great sacrifices for the good of others, beginning with their families, their God, and their country.  But when sacrifices are forced by the government, personal rights always suffer.

Christians should be Individualists who cling to God as their helper, obey the commandments, and are bonded to first God, then family, then country. 

So, there is a constant war going on between the Collectivists and the Individualists. 

Collectivists in general are not Christians.  They may profess Christianity, but their works show their claim to be false.  Some probably are Christians, but the majority of them are not.

Many Individualists are not Christians either.  So they don’t have the light of God in them either.

THEN there are Christians.  The Christian, no matter how dedicated, is facing the war between their sin nature and the new nature. 

So you have the Collectivists who are mostly not born again into the family of God through Jesus Christ.  You have the individualists who include many non-Christians.  And you have the Christians who are mostly Individualists, believing each will answer for their actions, and ultimately each will receive the rewards of their own work.  But, they are facing a constant war with the old nature and with the worldly elements embodied in the Collectivist mindset.  It appears our goose is cooked!  Fortunately, we have an advocate which is Jesus Christ.  By leaning on Him, we have the ultimate victory. 

One of the things that is very hard to grasp is that the clash between Individualists and Collectivists, cultures, nations, religions, and all powers of this earth are only temporary.  The devil is out to claim as many people as possible in the time that he has. 

Our goal is not really to transform cultures or governments. 

It isn’t to raise the poor out of poverty or to pull the wealthy down into poverty. 

 Our goal is to grow closer to Jesus Christ personally, and to tell others about the way to eternal peace with God Almighty.  It is totally true that you get into heaven through Christ alone.  It is also true that when you become a true believer it will show up in your actions.  The fruit you bear will be in yourself.  You will become more conformed to the image of Christ.  Don't confuse your works with your salvation.  Works are evidence of salvation, but they are not part of salvation itself.  (By grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourself.  It is a gift of God.)

We are to do the things Christ says to do.  We are to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world.  That is more easily done when the government is in the hands of the righteous.  Perhaps the lost are more receptive to the Gospel message when the government is persecuting the citizens of the land.  Regardless of the situation, the job description of the Christian is still the same.  Live like you mean it when you say you are a Christian, realizing that your actions are representing the true God of creation and salvation  to those around you.  And, tell the world that while they are separated from God by their imperfections, Jesus died to make one way for the individual to be reconciled to God Almighty.  Tell them they can gain heaven and escape hell.

Today, we are seeing an unimaginable trend in the US government to call Christians terrorists and make them equal with the murderous radical Islamist terrorists. ( Please make a note here that I did not lump all Moslems into  a group of evil terrorists).  I don’t know if this is more insane or more intentionally maligning a group with whom Washington disagrees.

 All Individualists are enemies of the current leadership in Washington, but Christians are going to bear the brunt of their fury if the liberal politicians in Washington are not stopped.  There are at least two things Christians can do to counter this insanity in the government.

First, the most important step is to live like a Christian.  Do not do even the small things that are outside the boundaries set by God.  Make the difference in your Christian life obvious to the world.  I don’t mean that you wear certain clothes that stand out.  Just wear modest clothing.  I don’t mean do or don’t wear makeup, do or don’t cut your hair in a specific way, or things that draw attention to you by appearance.  Don’t do things that align you with the world.  Stay out of ungodly places.  That does mean that Christians have no place in honkey-tonks slurping down alcohol.  At the very least this gives non-Christians a reason to see you as a hypocrite. It is true that the Bible does not condemn the use of alcohol.  It does condemn drunkenness.  The Bible also says not to do things that might cause a young Christian to falter.  You will not win the world to Christ by joining ranks with the world.  It shouldn’t even be an issue considering what the people wear who go to those places.  It is very hard for a godly man to keep his eyes from staring if he happens to be in a Hooters restaurant.  (I have never been to one - the commercials are enough to make me sick.  And they advertise as being a family restaurant.)

In a nut shell:

Your conduct as a professing Christian should give people cause to consider the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Your conduct should NOT give people a reason to reject Christianity.

Do go where you should go.  You should go to church.  You should go to visit those in need.  You should support full time missionaries, and part time missionaries.

Do the things you are supposed to do.  Be kind to each other.  Treat others the way you want to be treated.  We are not told to treat other kindly who treat us kindly, but rather treat even our enemies well.  Your actions can make obvious liars of those trying to put Christians in the same category as Islamic terrorists.

Do not go to places that will cause people to see Christianity in a bad way.  

The second thing you can do is to make an effort to complain every time you hear something about the right-wing Christians – or Bible thumpers – or those clinging to their guns and Bibles – or anything that trashes Christians.

Also, when a so-called Christian  is guilty of a crime, you have a chance to shout that whatever they did – it is not condoned by the teachings of God.  Do your best to tell the world that wicked behavior is forbidden.  Demand a retraction when a criminal is falsely labeled Christian.   Of course there will be incidents when a Christian does something wrong, but it is ridiculous to label someone a Christian just because there are Christians somewhere in their family tree.  An example of such blatant lies and intentional distortion of the facts was the case in Norway.  A dreadful man (Anders Breivik) murdered more than 80 people.  He was called a Christian fundamentalist out to prove something.  The truth is he was NOT a professing Christian at all and never had been.

He was NOT a Christian.

He never professed to be a Christians.

Do liberals think it will somehow lessen the guilt of Islamic terrorists by inventing an equal number of Christian terrorists? Actually they do.  Their mindset is that of 'equitable'.  The goal is to put everyone in exactly the same position regarding guilt, innocence, abilities, income, and every single thing that would make anyone standout as an individual.

Make it clear that Christianity is a choice.  It is not an accident of birth.

Make it clear that while salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, the actions of a true Christian should make their faith obvious.

Make it clear that Christians are going to speak out.
When speaking out as Christians one of the things that needs to be made clear is that following Jesus Christ is not an easy path to take!  Ask the first Christians just exactly how that worked out for them.  Truthfully the early believers saw the reward and found that to be worth the trials and tribulations they went through while they lived on the earth.  It is true that following Jesus is NOT the easiest path to take sometimes.  However, it is always the BEST path to take because it is the path that leads to eternal life.  

And be sure to make it clear to yourself that you will not be pulled into a social gospel.  You have a right to speak out.  Use it.  But, don’t let it replace living a life pleasing to Christ or telling the world God’s plan for salvation.

Matthew 5:16 says, ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’

The more we follow the examples of Jesus, the more our light will shine.

Footprints of Jesus

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/f/o/footprin.htm

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,

 Come, follow Me!

 And we see where Thy footprints falling

 Lead us to Thee.

Refrain

Footprints of Jesus,

 That make the pathway glow;

 We will follow the steps of Jesus

 Where’er they go.

Though they lead o’er the cold, dark mountains,

 Seeking His sheep;

 Or along by Siloam’s fountains,

 Helping the weak.

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If they lead through the temple holy,

 Preaching the Word;

 Or in homes of the poor and lowly,

 Serving the Lord.

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Though, dear Lord, in Thy pathway keeping,

 We follow Thee;

 Through the gloom of that place of weeping,

 Gethsemane!

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If Thy way and its sorrows bearing,

 We go again,

 Up the slope of the hillside, bearing

 Our cross of pain.

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By and by, through the shining portals,

 Turning our feet,

 We shall walk, with the glad immortals,

 Heav’n’s golden street.

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Then at last when on high He sees us,

 Our journey done,

 We will rest where the steps of Jesus

 End at His throne.

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The Burden of the Future - On Your Shoulders or on God's Shoulders?

       Hiram and Henry were brothers.  They grew up on a farm.  When they were grown the farm was divided between them, and they lived beside each other all the days of their lives.  They were not jealous of each other, and they were very content with their lives, their land, and their families.  They lived a life close to nature and the four seasons (summer, winter, spring, and deer season). 

They fought pestilence, drought, floods, near famine, late spring, early frosts, wild animals, and all the things that go with farm life.  They were both committed Christian men who took seriously doing the things God said to do.  Following the instructions in the Bible regarding the way a Christian is supposed to live was the measure by which they made all decisions. They were healthy men, able to put in the long hours required to care for a farm.  To all but the most observant person, the brothers were almost living parallel lives.  Everything was the same, or so it appeared. But Hiram was filled with faith, and Henry was continually beset by doubts.

 All historical eras and various life styles are perilous at best.  But in living a farm life, the perils are definitely more obvious. If Hiram and Henry didn’t plant a crop, care for it, harvest it, and store it properly, their lives were in jeopardy.  In city life, if Olsen’s Mercantile doesn’t have what you want, then you go over to Granny Smith’s General Store and get it there.

 Today, in the United States there is no obvious danger of hunger or even homelessness for most people.  The government has stepped in and provided for those in need.  Yes, some people may go hungry.  Others go homeless.  However, they do have options not available to those living a primitive life long ago.  Some money is given to them by the government for one reason or another.  How they spend it is often not wise, but never the less, they had the money to spend on something for themselves.  The burden for the future of these people has been shouldered by the government.  Those living off the government look to the government for their care.  The government is an obvious derelict in providing good care for its ‘children’.  They never have enough. 

 There are also working people who shoulder the burden of their own future.  They work hard, invest in items supposed to provide an income for their future, avoid over spending, do without, and behave in a manner considered careful and even wise. They expect things to go in the way they have planned, but they do worry a little (or a lot) that their hard work won't pay off.

 Other people also work just as hard, plan just as carefully, do without things they would like to have, and also watch their investments expecting them to grow.  However, this group of people is like Hiram.  They take it one day at a time and do the best they can do.  They have put the outcome in the Lord’s hand.  The burden of their future is placed in the hands of God Almighty.  If the economy shrinks instead of grows, that is also in the Lord’s hands.  They have done what they could do.  God’s job is to do what is best. People like Hiram count the day successful if they have done their best that day.  People like Henry don’t know if they have been successful or not until they see the outcome.

 Whether one shoulders the burden of the future themselves, or places it in the hands of God, there is still work to be done.  It may be exactly the same work, the same toil, the same ups and downs, but the attitude is different.  The worry of how will the work pay-off is on the shoulders of the worker in one instance, and on the shoulder of God with the other worker. 

 In which category would you place yourself?  Probably we could all honestly put ourselves closer to the middle than we would like to admit.  We may fully rely on God 30 minutes out of every hour.  The other 30 minutes we are like Henry, worrying all the time.

 Hiram focused on his personal actions.  The future outcome of his labor was on the shoulders of God.

Henry focused on the outcome of his actions.  The burden of the future was on his own shoulders.

 A misplaced concept of who holds the future robs the believer of peace of mind.

It gives the feeling of walking in the dark without light to make the path clear.

It robs us of joy.

 Today, even Christians are not only taking the burden of the future on their own shoulders, they are placing that dread burden on the shoulders of children and the lost.  They are buying into ‘saving the planet’ through personal sacrifice and setting a new paradigm by which everyone should live. We can expect foolish notions to fill the heads of the lost souls. 

Lost people cannot see the power of God. 

They do not know that He is the:

Creator

Savior

Sustainer

Of the earth.

They lost do not know that the Bible is:

Inerrant

Sufficient

Relevant

We cannot expect them to understand what blessings God has for those that love Him. 

Christians are supposed to know better. 

Consider Hiram and Henry.

Both men were never wasteful of what God provided for them through their farm and the work they did.  They appreciated what they had.  They took care of what they had because they had worked very hard for it.  Not being wasteful is being a good steward of the earth on which we live.  They worshipped the Creator, but they appreciated the good land the lord had given to them.

 Both Hiram and Henry understood that in order to keep their land fertile they had to care for the land.  This included fertilizing the land with compost from the chickens and cows.  They sometimes grew clover or alfalfa for the purpose of cutting it and plowing it into the soil of the gardens. When they did that they let the field or garden rest for a year.  They wanted to be good stewards of their land,

 Both Hiram and Henry understood that wild meat could only be hunted at certain times of the year.  They knew that a good supply of wild meat required that animals be given time to breed new animals and grow.  Fishing was the same.  They knew if they fished all the fish out of the rivers or lakes or ponds, there would be no fish for the next year.  They were good stewards and did their best to provide a food source for the future.

 Through all their lives Hiram and Henry tried to do what was right to please the Lord.  Henry carried burdens he didn’t have to carry because he worried all the time.  Hiram made a continual conscience effort to cast all his burdens on the Lord and let the Lord carry them for him. 

 Neither Hiram nor Henry every worried a minute about the saving the planet.  They both knew that burden was far too big for anyone to carry.  They both worried about pleasing God.  Through pleasing God, they automatically cared for the ground and the animals. 

 It is always right to do the things Christ says to do.  It is always wrong to step outside the boundaries for living that the Lord has set.  Sadly, a Christian can be like Henry.  They can miss the blessings of God through worry and doubt while still living within Biblical boundaries.  Do your best to avoid missing the blessings of peace that God has for his children.

 John 14:27 says, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’

 I feel sorry for Henry.  He missed the blessing of God’s peace because of worry and doubt.

Hiram is a super hero.  He lived his life resting in the Lord and taking life one day, or even one minute at a time.   He put the burden of the future on the Lord.

 Where are your burdens today?  Are they on your shoulders, or are they on God’s shoulders?

It may not make a difference on regarding what the burdens are, but it will make a difference in how much joy is in your life.

 Here are some Bible verses and a song that will encourage those wanting to be more like Hiram and less like Henry. 

 Hebrews 13:5 - 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.  (Remember the song ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow   http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/i/hiseyeis.htm )

 Isaiah 41:13 -  For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

 Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

 Matthew 11:28 -  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

 Psalm 147:3 - He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

 There are of course many more verses that would go well with this article.  Read your Bible and underline verses that are helpful to you today.  I do it all the time.  My oldest Bible is my ‘comfort Bible’.  It is sort of like comfort food.  I read that one when I feel a little down.  Everything underlined reminds me of different times and situations that the Lord helped me get through.  Some of the underlined verses remind me of things I believe the Lord is yet going to do for me. 

 I liked several songs for this article, so I am putting links to several songs and one song with verses.

 I Am Thine O Lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb_2uL0LLhY

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekUELQCnQlM

Trust and Obey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmGb3zRv6xE

(This one is really good to help to encourage Christians to trust the Lord – trust drives out doubt and worry.)

 Come Unto Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlHaymHNpek

(Come, no longer tarry, I your load will bear,

 Bring Me every burden, bring Me every care)

 I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bRV3J4n8cc

I know not why God’s wondrous grace

 To me He hath made known,

 Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love

 Redeemed me for His own.

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But I know Whom I have believèd,

 And am persuaded that He is able

 To keep that which I’ve committed

 Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith

 To me He did impart,

 Nor how believing in His Word

 Wrought peace within my heart.

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I know not how the Spirit moves,

 Convincing us of sin,

 Revealing Jesus through the Word,

Creating faith in Him.

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I know not what of good or ill

 May be reserved for me,

 Of weary ways or golden days,

 Before His face I see.

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I know not when my Lord may come,

 At night or noonday fair,

 Nor if I walk the vale with Him,

 Or meet Him in the air.

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What is Trivial?

What is Trivial?

Barbara Henderson           

‘What is truth?’ is a question most people have heard.  I don’t know what it means exactly.  It probably usually means someone is wanting to do something they know they really should not do.  They would rather have truth be something else. 

 The Bible tells us Jesus Christ is the Truth.  He is perfect righteousness.  He is the Light – in Him is no darkness at all.  So we do know the ultimate truth. 

 Truth is also what actually happens in an event.  There is no room for exaggeration in truth.  You can’t add anything to the facts, or take anything away from the facts.  It must be exactly what happened.  There is no spin on truth.

 But, the point we are pondering today is ‘What is trivial?’ Is there a definite place in the sand where we can draw a line between trivial and important?  In fact, is there actually anything that is actually trivial?

 We are living in a world that appears to be falling apart.  The things with which people seem to be the most concerned are money, political stability, and food.  Is there anyone who would consider those things unimportant?  These things automatically pull our attention to them.    However, according to the Bible our focus should be somewhere else. Matthew and Luke both give us the same instructions on where our focus should be.  (Luke chapter 12,  Matthew chapter 6 – read both of them if you have time

 Luke chapter 12 says:

, 27.  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28.  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

^29.   And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

^30.  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

^31.  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

^32.   that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

^34.  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 Now, go back and read verse 31 again.  It is really good!

 But the world is still wrongly dividing trivial things from important things.  Whatever Christians do should be within the boundaries of seeking first the Kingdom of God and seeking to please our God.  We have to break it all the down to the personal level, and do what is right according to God Almighty. 

 In politics the question has come up many times over the years when considering a particular candidate whether or not character is important.  If someone favors an immoral dishonest candidate, character becomes trivial.  After all, the guy with no character is the one who has the best chance of getting things done the way they want them done.  But does trivializing character make character unimportant?

 Someone else really wants a specific job.  Maybe they just want a job in general.  Is it important to stay within the boundaries of truth to get that job, or is a little lying and manipulating trivial?  It is definitely right to present yourself in the best way possible, but it is not trivial step outside the boundaries of truth.

 There was a recent article on WND about a meeting where women and girls were encouraged to go topless.  Charges have been filed for several reasons, but those commenting on the article mostly act like it was not big deal.  ‘Trivial’ is the word some used.  They say with all the problems going on in the world who cares about stuff like that?  Well, those who went to observe the event obviously cared.  But does it matter?  After all, the world is facing, unemployment, political instability, lawlessness, and famine.

 Sharia law is slithering into national law in most countries. Is this trivial?  After all, the world is facing, unemployment, political instability, lawlessness, and famine.

 Gay and lesbian lifestyles are being pushed into the mainstream as though they are normal and morally correct.  Does it matter?  Is it trivial to even worry about it?  After all, the world is facing, unemployment, political instability, lawlessness, and famine.

 National boundaries are being eroded by encroaching consideration of the laws of other countries.  Recently, the Gibson guitar factories in Nashville and Memphis were raided by our own government for not complying with the laws of India.  It had something to do with the wood purchased from India needing to be used by Indians.  It is unclear how India could sell the wood out of their country and still expect it to be used by Indian workers.  I wonder what our government is trying to do.  Are they trying to shut Gibson down entirely, or are they just trying to force more jobs overseas.  Is this trivial?  After all, the world is facing, unemployment, political instability, lawlessness, and famine.

 The term ‘family’ is being redefined.  The paradigm for ‘family’ has gradually shifted from the Biblical family to that of any lose knit group of people who want to call themselves ‘family’.  Death used to be the main factor that divided a family.  Now it is often any whim or fancy.  ‘Self’ is more important than duty and responsibility.  Some families who are traditional families are still divided by the level of importance family members place on their own agenda instead of food and shelter for the family itself.  

 For a variety of reasons, families are smaller. Often it is because more than one or two children will not fit well into the careers and desires of the parents. Economic struggles may also be a factor.  Smaller families make for smaller extended families.  The safety net once provided by family is either weak or non-existent.   Help is no longer provided through family.  It is the government coming to the rescue with just enough to keep people from starving, but it isn’t enough to help them recover from financial problems.  Is this trivial?  It may appear somewhat trivial to those who are not caught up in this sad scenario.  Seen as trivial, or beyond our control, these things do add up to a weaker society.

 Then there are things that are considered even more trivial, but are they?  Let’s take a look and see what is really going on.

 Mr. Coldicutte is supposed to be a Christian.  He goes to church, give to missions, and keeps a steady job.  He sees these things as important, but he also sees them as his ‘get out of jail free’.  He really doesn’t do anything that is legally wrong.  However, he sees the good he does as payment for ‘indiscretions’ every now and then.  He sees the things he does wrong, like cheat a little on taxes, claim a little too much for income tax deductions, and innocent flirtations with fellow employees as his due.  Anyone who wants to nit-pick his life is needs to get a life.  Is this attitude trivial considering all the real problems the world is facing?

Mz. Farmington works for a wealthy relative.  He is not smarter or more deserving than the rest of the family.  She has no idea why he is the rich family member and he is the working family member.  She takes liberties with the miscellaneous money that she really shouldn’t take.  In light of her relative’s wealth, it is a trivial matter: or, is it?

 Maybe it would be easier to consider what is important instead of what is trivial. 

We could ask ourselves, ‘Is this important to God?’

If it is important to God, then it is important to Christians and to the entire world.

 It is absolutely true that our lives are affected by world events.  The world is facing, unemployment, political instability, lawlessness, and famine.  Actually, those are just to name a few of the dire circumstances facing the world today. 

 Fortunately for us, God knows what is going on in the world. 

God gives us instructions on what to do in such a time as this.

As already mentioned in this article, God gave us Matthew chapter 6, and Luke chapter 12.  They pretty much tell the same story.  If God thought it was important enough that both Matthew and Luke should give us the same instructions, then it would be to our advantage to take care to follow these precious instructions. 

 Christians are to seek the Kingdom of God first.   

This benefits the individual Christian, their family, everyone their lives touch, and ultimately the entire world. 

 Even when the world is facing, unemployment, political instability, lawlessness, and famine, the way to help the entire world is for the individual Christian to not trivialize the things of God.  If God’s instructions are taken seriously, if His Kingdom is not sought first and foremost in the lives of His children, then the wickedness and sorrow in the world will increase.  There is no political, military, or social solution that will solve the problems of the world.  Only God can do that.  And, one way He works is through the lives of His children. 

 Take the time to consider the level of importance you are placing on the things in your life.  Clearly God has told us what to do first.  We are not to give greater importance to the things of this world than they merit.  They are beyond our control.  In the United States we have been given the privilege to vote on who holds public office.  This is a blessing.  We should take it very seriously. However, what is even more important is our privilege to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.  How marvelous.  How wonderful. 

 Here are just a few quick thoughts on the blessings obtained from seeking God’s Kingdom first.

 We can enter into God’s rest.  Hebrews 4:9 says, ‘There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.’  (Read the entire chapter – it is really good!)  That is definitely not trivial!

 We can be renewed.  The thesaurus gives these synonyms for ‘renewed’: rehabilitated, transformed, renovated refurbished, rekindled, regenerated, revived, reinstated, and improved.

 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, ‘For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.’

 Ephesians 4:23 says, ‘And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;’.

 Are you the one today who is feeling so weary that you don’t know how to go on?  Through obedience and fellowship, God will renew your mind and spirit.  That is definitely not trivial!

 Ephesians 3:16 says, ‘That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;’.

Colossians 1:11 says. ‘Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;’.

 We can be HEARD. 

Micah 7:7 says, ‘Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.’   (The God of creation will hear us.  That is certainly not trivial.)

 In seeking first the Kingdom of God, we can:

Find REST

Be RENEWED

Be STRENGTHENED

Be HEARD

 Why is it then, with all the benefits of seeking first God’s Kingdom, that seeking God’s Kingdom is trivialized while worrying about unemployment, political instability, lawlessness, and famine are given an undeserved place of importance?  In fact, worry about these things dominates the lives of many of Christ’s children. 

In disobedience to the intructions to seek God’s Kingdom first, we are forsaking our own help.

 The really ‘solid’ citizens of any society or nation are those who stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.  The more people of God there are in a place, the more the blessings of God will be on that place.  Through God’s blessings on His children, unemployment, political instability, lawlessness, and famine are lessened. 

 So, you might ask, ‘Who are the people of God?’  It appears that the world is full of them, and yet all these problems still beset us.  Matthew 7:20 tells us, ‘Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.’

 Our first job is to make sure that our own fruits are solid indicators of our obedience to our God.  It is not trivial.  Learn the things Christ says to do.  Then, do them. 

 The truth is it is impossible to change the world from the top down.  It can only be changed one life at a time.  The life over which you have the most control is your very own.  What you do and say is not trivial.  It is important to God. 

 I Stand Amazed in the Presence

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/s/isaithep.htm

 I stand amazed in the presence

 Of Jesus the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me,
 A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!

 And my song shall ever be:
 O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
 Is my Savior’s love for me!

 For me it was in the garden

He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
 He had no tears for His own griefs,
 But sweat drops of blood for mine.

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 In pity angels beheld Him,

And came from the world of light
 To comfort Him in the sorrows
 He bore for my soul that night.

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 He took my sins and my sorrows,

He made them His very own;
 He bore the burden to Calvary,
 And suffered and died alone.

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When with the ransomed in glory

 His face I at last shall see,
 ’Twill be my joy through the ages
 To sing of His love for me.

 Refrain