What Road Are You On?

There comes a time in every man's life where he must determine the end of the road he is on. Where does the path of this road take me? How will it affect my family? Is it safe for my family? Is it worth the time, sacrifice, investment, and heartache?

Jacob left a comfortable lifestyle and drove his family into the face of danger which led to forgiveness with someone who made it their goal in life to kill him. But to do that he had to distance himself from wrong relationships.

We do not need to seek the bed of roses but we do not need to choose hardship for the sake of avoiding ease. The straight and narrow does have its comfort as does the broad path. The road traveled does not indicate peace and fulfillment. Carrying a cross is vain when there is no need for the cross to be carried. There is a time of rest. A time of solace. A time of healing.

What road are you on? WHY? To what End is the road you travel?

But...Its Legal in Thirty Eight States!

Recently, a Dean of an Independent Fundamental Baptist College posted to his social media page an update regarding the fundraising attempts to hire a lawyer in attempts to lessen a sentence on his incarcerated son serving a long term for sexually molesting an underage girl from the Christian School where he was on staff. The son admitted guilt and the judge gave 48 years plus probation and a sex offender tag. Now, I don't understand why he received so long of a sentence for sex crimes on his first offense but the laws of this particular state had recently been stiffened to punish individuals using their office and influence over minors. Arguments were made that this individual had come back from the war and suffered from PTSD. Argument was made that this individual had been seduced as a teen. Claims were made that the father knew of the sexual advances against his son but did not handle it. This was brought to light at the sentencing hearing. Then, in his social media update, the reasoning for a lesser sentence was that another staff member of the same church/Christian School was given a lighter sentence and was released after three months. He saw that as unfair because his son only committed a crime that was LEGAL in 38 states. Furthermore, the man continues to share how his son has been a witness to the inmates and how they affectionately call him "The Bible Man." He has been able to distribute a number of Bibles and reading glasses to the inmates and also lead in a Bible study group. 

Now, I have to scratch my head in amazement over the whole situation. While I realize that a father will do what he can to help his son, the audacity to "water down" the severity of his crime and SIN is astounding. Here is where Christianity has joined themselves to the humanism of the word around us today. Compartmentalization is the phrase that I find appropriate. We can draw the lines in each part of our life and call one part mental. One part is our Spiritual. Over here is our Physical and over there is financial. NO! This is something that God's Word does not support doing. God tells us that our WHOLE body and Spirit and Mind is to be blameless before him in love. Our whole being! I do not mean to single out this one man as the antichrist but for a spiritual leader of young men and women who are being sent to colleges to be further developed and fashioned for the Lord's Service is a major catastrophe when the leaders are vile and corrupt. 

Remember Eli? Hannah dropped Samuel off at the Temple to be trained and raised for the Lord's service. Eli was the one responsible for Samuel. Eli's two sons turned out to be downright apostate. Stealing from the Lord, abusing women, oppressing those worshipping and Eli did nothing. Eli knew what was amiss and did nothing. These priests were handling sacrifices, praying, and representing the people before God. These were spiritual leaders. Yet, their lives were a cesspool of abomination before the Lord and before the people insomuch that the people ABHORRED the sacrifice and the temple. Eli confronted his sons but never dealt with the sin issue. When God spoke to Samuel, the lamp of the temple had already gone out. Even Eli was destitute of his priorities and daily responsibilities in service to the Lord. When God spoke to Samuel and called him out of his sleep; Eli did not perceive it was the Lord until the third time. God told Samuel that judgment would fall because of Eli AND his sons. When Eli heard the judgment he was apathetic towards it and said "whatever happens happens." 

This is the attitude of a father who does not respond to sin much less crime when it happens to his own. This is the attitude of the Spiritual leader who is indecisive regarding the swift and immediate discipline needed to correct and chastise his household who practice blatant sin. This is the attitude of the spiritual leader who reacts in awe at the punishment given (falling back and breaking his neck). 

As independent Baptists we pride ourselves excessively over a Bible version, standards, convictions, soul winning, dress code, music, homosexuality, and abortion but are we so blind to the sins of our own household? No. We know full well that our houses are in disarray. Our churches are shallow and proud. We all leave the assembly and retreat to the inner room where we practice abomination and idolatry and then proclaim that God doesn't see. God doesn't mind because it is legal in 38 states. Our soul winning, bible distribution and Bible stance makes us as righteous as filthy rags which do not impress the Lord and does not reach the world around us. 

"It is legal in 38 states, Lord!' Homosexual marriage is legal in several states as well. Pedophilia is being advocated for in NY as we speak. Sin is not the decision of the masses. Laodocea is here. Our churches are lukewarm and our spiritual leaders are wolves in sheep's clothing. People are leaving churches in groves. Seeking a place where they will heal no matter the cost. We have turned everyone to their own way. compartmentalization. 

Brethren, let the WORD of GOD dwell in you richly in all wisdom. The day is evil. Be sober. Pray. Stand in HIS strength.