"It is not surely ...wrong!" "It is not surely ...so bad!" "It is not surely ...a sin!" "They are just haters!" "They are just phobics!" "The Bible is just allegorical." "Paul was not a true apostle." "The Old Testament is unfair to women." "Can we say, that is 'surely' wrong!?!"
Did Jesus say, "I surely never knew you!" Well, not quite ...the word 'surely' was not in there.
How much do we know Him??
There is a division, not only in our country, but in the world. Yet, the difference is significant. The United States is one of the few countries that is not led by a ruler, or a ruling few. We are supposed to be a nation " ...of the people, by the people, and for the people."
We are supposed to think 'for' ourselves ...but none of us really do. It used to be our parents, teachers, prime-time TV, and our peers. But, with the PTA forming a cohesive unit of values that helped even mold the selection of shows produced ...only a little peer pressure could attempt to take us on the wayward path, because most of the pressure was for us to grow up. Most of us emerged out of carefully guided organizations such as sports, scouting groups, or music.
We used to feel that the media somewhat helped investigate and report things to also aid in our trust and growth ...and lent to the forming of values. But, today, there is a widening perspective that is labeled a progressive tolerance. And what is being promoted is much bigger than many of us realize.
With the internet, and such venues as Twitter and Facebook, we are able to join the ranks of the media. We are not so much anymore influenced by what we read in the newspaper ...but by what we ourselves exchange and promote through our own sharing. The media continues to report things on the political scene ...and those things are important, as our country should set a good example. Several months ago we had a very important election, and we all had the opportunity to cast a ballot to vote. But, should we just be complacent ...and consider it not our affair, we already have cast our vote?
Every day we vote!! We may not quite look at it that way, but each time we click "Like" on Facebook, or enter our comments ...we are casting our opinion. When we talk to our friends, acquaintances, or families ...we are sharing what we think at that moment. And often we disagree.
How do we respond when we disagree? Some like to talk it out ...some like to go out, for a walk or something ...and some would like to take you out, and sadly, I don't mean out to dinner. Now, that violent approach is very uncommon ...but many do get angry, and talk to other angry people. And there is a division that is getting ever widening. That division is not what most people make it to seem ...inclusive of empty arguments, given little thought, like how the rich should not have what they have.
Perhaps we are not trying to cause a division ...I'd say, most aren't. But, the division exists because it always has ...since the rebellion of the angels and Lucifer being cast down to earth. Both influences are present here on earth ...and perhaps we don't want to consider things as good or evil, but the division that takes the most subtle path is not what we would call pure evil. Perhaps it is not what we would call evil at all.
Do you believe it could be as subtle as it was in the Garden of Eden? You'd think it was rather cut-and-dry for them ---"you are not to eat of it". Of course, I'd think the Ten Commandments are rather clear also, but all of them are violated in our society ...and most individuals probably don't follow half of them.
The most quoted verse in the Bible is John 3:16 ...yet, I am going to quote John 3:17, "For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." Jesus was speaking of Himself. But, is this a call for us to only embrace His love, and to not condemn any actions?
The important thing to remember, is that the world was already condemned ...they well accomplished that on their own, without Jesus. And there is a difference between condemning actions ...and the condemnation that stood for everyone. Through Jesus we are not condemned for our actions ...but are saved by His grace. But, how do we reconcile all of this with the words in Matthew 10:34? Jesus says, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."
Many people today advocate for a call for unity ...but that is through not condemning any actions that anyone commits. But, this is not what Jesus called us to do. He is calling us to unite with Him ---which will not send peace to us, until the dividing takes place. And then, peace will only come to those who reside with Him.
We all plant seeds of thought ...and we never know how far those seeds will travel, or which ones will take root.
