Saturday, October 3, 2015

Masters of Deceit


With every social program that is enacted, every attempt at a re-distribution of wealth by our political "leaders" we are shamed into reluctant submission by our vague notions of Christian charity.  We have been raised to "feed the hungry" and "clothe the naked" and "provide a home for the homeless".  Politians and religious leaders, who have made social justice their god, quote scriptures to us, validating their own agenda; "He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need" (Proverbs 21:13), "If you give to the poor, your needs will be supplied!  But a curse upon those who close their eyes to poverty." (Proverbs 28:27), "Happy is the generous man, the one who feeds the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).  Even the Pope, who is arguably the most important religious leader in the western world, uses God to bolster his own vision of fairness and equality.  But these leaders, both political and religious, are at best, ignorant or at worst, true masters of deceit.

The truth of the matter is that Jesus spoke directly to people, never to "the state".  He expected His followers to clothe the naked, feed the hungry and provide homes for the homeless, never did He expect (or want) "the state" to enact these mandates by force.  He expected His followers to use judgment and discretion.  He expected them to be good stewards of what He provided for their use.  He expected His followers to be accountable to one another and to Him.  He expected Christians to get involved, to get their hands dirty.  And to change the world in His name.

We know that Jesus was speaking to the individual Christian rather than "the state" because that is exactly who He spoke to.  The Sermon on the Mount was delivered to individuals, not to political leaders.  Over and over in the Bible, we see God speaking to the hearts of men, never to the political establishment.  He spoke to the individual because He had given them freedom of choice, to choose to obey Him, or not  - not to the "state", whom He knew would always seek to oppress and rule men rather than give them freedom.   And when He did speak to the religious leaders, it was almost always to chasten them for being "a den of vipers" and condemned them as hypocrites - laying heavy burdens upon the people yet doing nothing to lighten their load.

By allowing the political and religious leaders to take the word of God out of context and use it to further their own personal agendas, we have failed in the mission that Jesus gave to the Church.  We no longer feed the poor, because the "state" does it for us.  Nor do we clothe the naked or provide homes for the homeless, again, because our pockets have been picked and our government has inserted itself as our conscience and moral authority.  Yet their stewardship has not only failed, it has destroyed the souls of men and fettered them in chains fashioned in the pit of Hell.

We cannot accept the deceitfully honeyed words of our politicians and our world "religious" leaders as the gospel truth.  We MUST know the Word of God for ourselves, searching the Bible as one searches for gold and silver.  The men and women leading our country, our world, are masters of deceit, twisting what is right and calling it wrong, and legislating evil as enlightened truth.  If we call ourselves Christians, we must first know the Word of God, know Jesus.  And then, we have to be willing and able defenders of the Truth.

Only by studying  the truth will you be able to identify deception and ultimately, the deceivers.  Remember, these masters of deceit often appear as voices of hope and change and enlightenment, but in their wake they leave a trail of death, destruction and hopelessness.  It's up to you to know the difference.

18 comments:

  1. AMEN! Jesus gave His commands to individuals and we will all be held accountable individually, (for good of bad). The gospel is very personal.

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  2. What a crucial point (and reminder) that Jesus "spoke directly to the people, never to the 'state'".

    He did not speak to political 'leaders' and 'religious' leaders. The same ones who teamed up to murder Christ.

    Montana Guy

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  3. Wouldn't it be refreshing if one of the presidential candidates said this during the campaign.

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  4. Always be leery of "help" that comes from a governing body (or anything that wished to be). Even help from Christian churches can be poisoned when those churches set themselves up in the desire to establish a theocracy.

    The only help worth having is that which comes from the hand of family, friends, and neighbors, and which you are willing to repay according to your ability. The only help worth giving, the same.

    True charity, that is, generosity given in love, builds up. Pompous charity, aka "welfare," destroys.

    If we will treat each other with true charity, we will slay the dragon that is the other kind.

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  5. This is all too true. When you combine the cost of programs that are superfluous (or just don't work) with all of our tax dollars that are just wasted or lost, it's amazing that anyone in the government has the gall to consider tax increases. The larger the government gets, the more it stands as a pillar of ineptitude.

    As an aside, it's definitely worth researching any charity before you donate. Most of them give only a small percentage to the cause and keep most of the money for 'admin/overhead'.

    Grey

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  6. I have seen some people recently claim that as Christians we have a duty to help the 'refugees' flooding Europe - do you have a response to those who make the claim?
    My response is that as a person I will work with established refugee groups, but as a country we do not have an obligation to bring them to the US.
    Chemechie

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    1. My reply is that we can't help everyone. If all of these charity efforts were directed internally to get people on their feet and off entitlements, we'd all be better off. THEN we could look internationally.

      Grey

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  7. The more entitlement programs, the larger the number of employees, at the city-state-federal levels required to run the program. Growing government. Federal Unions. Benefits for life sucked from the taxpayers.
    My father passed away in August. He served in the U.S. Army for 25 + years. The layers of useless people I have had to deal with are astounding. Every phone call I've made has been a waste of my time as the DFAS or VA has subsequent to the call sent me a letter requiring me to call to confirm what I reported. The most frustrating was when I had to call an office in Cleveland OH and the phone was answered by "Mr. Smith" who asked me who he was speaking to, and did not like my answer of "Mrs. W_____". I asked him to provide to me an employee identification number so I could write it on my notes. His tone was condescending and nasty and he declared he needed to know who he was speaking to before he could do so. I replied, the daughter of a deceased serviceman and an American taxpayer. Then I hung up so I could get someone who knew their job was "service".
    The bureaucracy is consuming us, the entitled are consuming us and both are growing. There is nothing Christian about any of it. The do-gooders have enslaved us all. I am not going to include myself in the "who is to blame" as I think I've written letters, counseled others, and voted for the freedom to be poor or rich as one determines by their own action and I've been poor more and not so poor, but it was at my own hand.
    Enola, you are correct that we all should know what the Scripture says about this. It has become a challenge for many to find a church with a Pastor that isn't confused or deliberately confusing the congegation on these and other matters.
    God bless you and yours,
    sidetracksusie

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  8. A record 92,898,000 Americans 16 years and older did not participate in the labor force last month, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/01/09/record-92898000-americans-not-in-the-workforce/)

    That means for whatever reason almost 93 MILLION people did not work. This includes those who genuinely CAN'T work, but it also includes those who WON'T work.

    It's very frustrating to be in the grocery line and see people purchase items with a "food card" while they separate their cigarettes and beer purchases to pay with their cash, while talking on their new IPhone and then drive off in a newer model vehicle than the older one that I worked so hard to pay for!

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    1. Dear Anonymous,
      I appreciate your alarm at the loss of jobs in America. One quibble I would point out though is with this sentence...

      "That means for whatever reason almost 93 MILLION people did not work. This includes those who genuinely CAN'T work, but it also includes those who WON'T work."

      I'm guessing we can agree though that not all adult "non-participation in the workforce" is a bad thing. In fact I'd like to see one sector of adult Americans become much more "non-participatory" in the "workforce." That sector is married women, especially moms of young children. How wonderful would it be for American families to return to prioritizing and and arranging their lives so that mothers would stay at home and raise the children full-time. This is such an honorable calling! Of course it is definitely work! (grin) And yet I'm sure these Stay At Home Moms are lumped in with the statistics on "Non Participation." Ironic isn't it, that such hard-working people are called "non-working?"

      Figuring that half the population is female, and that probably 70% (ish) of them at least could be married, and that about half of them could still have children at home... maybe a third of adults not participating in the "workforce" would be a beautiful thing? Hey, a person can dream right? :-)

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  9. One of my first jobs out of high school was working as maintenance at a public housing block ( I called it Stalag 17)-not a place I would want to call home, to say the very least. I have some relatives who are on public assistance and fit the stereotype to the point of almost being cartoonish (obese, personal hygiene a theoretical concept, cigarette hanging out of their mouth with a can of Stroh's in their hand, all while complaining no one is helping them...). In my opinion (bear in mind my opinion and two quarters is worth 50 cents), charity begins at home, or at least close to it. Give to your local church-find out from them if there's someone near that needs help. I'm sure there are church programs that make better use of your time and money than the the usual big-name charities.

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  10. " We MUST know the Word of God for ourselves, searching the Bible as one searches for gold and silver. "

    Amen and amen.

    "We know that Jesus was speaking to the individual Christian rather than "the state" because that is exactly who He spoke to. "

    Actually, Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, was speaking specifically to His nation Israel. Leaders and non-leaders alike.

    Mat 15:24... "But He answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

    Christ told his Jewish followers not to concern themselves with what they would eat or wear. That their heavenly Father would provide for them. Mat 6:25-33 (KJB)

    Christ through Paul instructs believers differently today.

    2 Thes 3:10... "For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

    Interesting dichotomy, no? There is an excellent and reasonable explanation that comes without having to "spiritualize" (and thus muddy) Gods perfectly clear Word. It is called mid-Acts dispensationalism and is the key to true and complete Bible understanding.

    Would love to share more with you.

    "The men and women leading our country, our world, are masters of deceit, twisting what is right and calling it wrong, and legislating evil as enlightened truth."

    This is absolute truth. The god of this world is over those who are visibly in command of governments the globe over. Why...?

    Luke 4:5-6... "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him ALL the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: FOR THAT IS DELIVERED UNTO ME; and to whomsoever I will I give it."

    No one comes to great worldly power without satan's approval.

    How...?

    2 Cor 11:13-15... "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

    People are deceived in ways they can not conceive because they have put aside the King James Bible in favor of religious books such as the NIV. They have put aside Pauline truth in favor of other men's (Peters) foundation. The love of Gods truth for today is not in them.

    Romans 15:20-21... "Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, NOT where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand."

    Believers today are to follow the gospel committed unto Paul, not the gospel of the Kingdom, the keys of which were given unto Peter.

    1 Cor 11:1... "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."

    2 Tim 2:7... "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things."

    Romans 16:25-27... "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to MY gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the MYSTERY, which was KEPT SECRET since the world began, BUT NOW is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to ALL nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen."

    grace and peace

    www.gracecountrybiblechurch.wordpress.com

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    1. There are many problems with being KJV-only.

      One important, essential problem with being KJV-only is that the Scriptures do not teach a modern KJV-only theory so that attempts to combine Bible doctrines concerning inspiration or preservation with non-scriptural KJV-only opinions or traditions would create a new incorrect teaching. KJV-only advocates have presented no positive, consistent, sound, solid, or scriptural case for a KJV-only view.

      Another serious problem with KJV-only is the fact that KJV-only arguments depend upon use of fallacies such as begging the question, the fallacy of false dilemma, the fallacy of composition, etc.

      Another problem with KJV-only is the use of unscriptural, unjust measures that are evident in some KJV-only accusations against other English Bibles.

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  11. Our church has a food pantry that is available to those recommended by a local group who keeps records of those who receive enough assistance from the government and other food pantries. They constantly have people who want to get more food than is necessary for their families--they sell the excess to others to get money for cigarettes and beer. The group gets a small grant from the local government and the rest from charities that save money in the long run by eliminating the "double-dippers". The pastor told of one man who pleaded such a good case that the pastor called the group to check as to why the man was not recommended. It appears that the man had a more than adequate income, had received food from other agencies, and was known to sell drugs on the side. When he was turned down at our church, he cursed the pastor and drove away in his late model Lexus. Having a central record-keeping group makes it possible for us to give where it is really needed. Those people are always grateful and often offer blessings along with the thanks.
    On a side note, the local library welcomes the homeless to come in and read and relax while they keep cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. Many of these men and women work at odd jobs while trying to find work and save money for a room or apartment. One family I knew lived in their car (family of four) while the father saved enough from his job (they had come from another area) to get an apartment. The mother made a deal with a service station to clean the rest rooms and office so that they could have use of the rest rooms where they also bathed and washed their clothes. The kids were enrolled in school and never missed a day. They didn't have a poverty mind-set. When asked if they needed help, the response was that they would ask if they really needed it.

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  12. Dear Enola Gay,

    Thank you so much for such a thoughtful article. You did a great summary of the Bible's instructions to us, and I think you also wrote with a charitable, loving heart and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

    As I read this article I got more and more appreciative with each paragraph. I will print it out and set it on the coffee table (our family's "great things to read" area) for our family to read.

    I was just directed to your blog through survivalblog.com, and I will enjoy reading further in paratusfamiliablog.com.

    My dear wife and I are about a decade older than you and have enjoyed raising our 9 children with similar values and temperament, although we are not nearly as far as your family on our journey to preparedness. Five children still live with us, so our family feels "smaller" now, but as you know five children also give lots of love and beauty. We live in the country, but on the grid, produce our own eggs, milk, and much of our meat. It is satisfying. Garden is next. May God richly bless you, Sir Knight, and the young lords and ladies.

    Thank you again for taking the time to write something so sound and edifying.

    Ron and Ruth

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  13. Thank you. Well written, short and to the point. The Lord has blessed you. wm

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  14. Off Subject a bit. I signed up again ( 3x this year) for your site and it stated I am already signed up, but unless I go looking on line to find you, I get nothing from you thru my email.
    Love and miss,RangerRick

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