IT IS BETTER TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN

According to the United States Selective Service the requirements to qualify as a conscientious objector status are given below.

 In the United States, to be classified as a conscientious objector individuals must demonstrate a sincere belief, based on religious, ethical or moral grounds, that they cannot participate in war in any form.  This belief must be deeply held and central to their life, not simply a matter of political opinion or self interest.  The selective service system (SSS) evaluates claims based on these factors, considering the individual’s beliefs are sincerely held and whether they are opposed to participation in all wars, not just specific conflicts.  Failure to register with the SSS is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment.  Congress passed the selective service act on May 18, 1917.

When I was a member of the Worldwide Church of GOD all men of draft age were to inform the Selective Service of their conscientious objectors status.  The WCG had members all around the world.  If compelled to go to war the possibility existed that one member of the WCG may be forced to kill another.  It could also be that a member could be placed in a circumstance where he would be committing suicide by war. 

 The WCG had to provide the SSS with some proof that members of the church were indeed serious about and morally committed to their belief to not kill anyone for any reason except in instances of personal attacks against self or the innocent.  Self defense is not national defense, there is a huge difference. One is motivated by love but the other by hatred of the enemy and law. Matthew 5:44  Isaiah 29:13  The WCG realized the hypocrisy of their members voting for government officials that have laws which send men to war while claiming conscientious objectors status.  I hope the reader can see the obvious conflict of interest here.  Mark 7:8,9  

It was ruled into official church doctrine that the official position of the church with respect to political participation in government and voting would be a sin because the governments of men attempt to force its citizens to kill others in war. War is not love no matter which side your on.  Romans 13:10  

The church also realized that there were other laws of the nation that conflicted with the law of GOD.  Examples; forcing by law to accept homosexuality, transgenderism, child mutilation, elimination of parental rights, abortion and other matters that directly violate GODS will.  Therefore it was spiritually sound to make it doctrine that the WCG would be totally apolitical and nonpartisan, nonparticipating in any form of human government and acknowledging only the government of GOD.  Members were to truly be spiritual ambassadors of the kingdom of GOD, thus removing them from the governments of men.  This ruling by the church more than met the selective service requirements because the church was willing to give up their “constitutional rights” in order to avoid participation in war. 

 The ignorant of this world labeled the men of the WCG cowards but in reality it took far more courage and dedication to GOD and Christ to obey spiritual commands, or, it is better to obey GOD rather than men.  

 Unconverted people glorify war and those who fight in them but a true Christian is a Christian soldier for Christ and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal like bombs, machine guns or cannons; our chief weapon is love followed by faith, grace and hope.  2 Corinthians 10:4   Do we kill our enemies or do we pray for them ?  Would a true Holy Spirit inspired Christian voluntarily go to war and kill just because some human government says they have to ?  Human governments throughout history have always had laws that are unjust and unGODLY. 

To be able to understand the things written in this article one must use the spirit of GOD.  Even if you are a carnal person perhaps you may remember the Vietnam War.  58,000 young men, some no more than boys, were slaughtered for nothing and many more maimed for life.  The same is true of the Korean War, 36,500 dead. 

 William Tecumseh Sherman, famous civil war general, said, “war is hell” ,  Sherman, in his tactics was extremely cruel to the enemy and had the goal of absolute destruction of them.  While this seems cruel, Sherman’s philosophy was that if war was made so viciously cruel men would not be in such a hurry to fight them, perhaps avoid them. 

General Sherman said, “I think I know what military fame is; to be killed on the field of battle and have your name misspelled in the newspapers” .  “It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for more blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell.”  

The WCG was wrong about many things but on some things it was right and their decision about war was correct along with what they did to prove the church’s commitment to GOD.  On this subject, the use of violence, many have debated for centuries with no clear cut answer.  

When it comes to the use of violence it must be a personal use not political or governmental.  It is you and you alone that makes the decision to use or not use violence.  Violence is used in love, believe it or not, you act with force to defend self, family or a stranger  from evil people that harm others.  It is not love to watch a man beat up an old woman in an attempt to steal her purse and do nothing. Love is a verb that requires action otherwise it’s an empty word.  Sometimes love may require violence.  I hope you can see that when motivated by love violence is good, it is evil when love is not the motive.  A Christian should never use violence with the goal to end the evil persons life unless the situation demands it.  I hope you know how to distinguish between this. 

 All Christians should crave peace for all people but in this evil world that is not so.  No Christian should even desire to engage in violence, but will in the event it is necessary to combat evil. Christians should always pray to never be in a situation where they have to use violence.  GOD will see the thoughts and intents of your human spirit and HE will know what your motivation is based upon.  Romans 12:18   Proverbs 16:17   Psalm 82:4   James 1:27   How can you truly love your neighbor if you stand by and do nothing when his life is in danger.  James 2:16   1 John 3:17,18   In these verses it mainly deals with lesser dangers but does that exclude greater dangers ?  If it is love to do good to neighbor by saving him from thieves or bodily harm but if you do not do it then this is sin.  James 4:17 

My primary intent in this article was to show true Christians that they must not participate in the evil of the governments of men.  That it is indeed a sin to claim to be a child of GODS kingdom while actively being part of Satans kingdom.  To see the examples I gave and the scriptures I provided. To understand the proper use of violence motivated by love not by hatred and human governments.  To know that GOD sees our true motive for everything and if that motive is rooted in HIS love it cannot be sin.  Hebrews 4:12 

ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE ???

 The United States of America is thought of by many as GODS nation, that GOD is on our side.  The pledge of allegiance says, “one nation under GOD”, is this true ?  The pledge also says, “indivisible” , is this true ?  It says , “to the republic for which it stands” but all we hear is the word democracy.  Finally it says, “with liberty and justice for all” , is this true ?   If you have thoroughly studied history and have lived long enough to have witnessed what the government has done then you would know that the pledge of allegiance is a lie.  The U.S. has not lived up to any of the claims made in it.  

Today and for many yesterdays the government has become a tyranny.  Most people can’t see this because of the crumbs government throws to them and that it has happened slowly over time.  The basic rights guaranteed by the constitution and particularly the bill of rights have over the years been slowly eroded almost to the point of nonexistence.  The people have basically been brainwashed to actually think that their vote counts and that they have control of government when it’s the other way around.  Politics is in control, the two party system that wars against each other for power and money.  All three branches of government are corrupt as well as all political parties.  This corrupt system is referred to as the swamp.  This swamp is much larger than most people realize and contains in it all three branches of government and all political parties.  

If you claim to be a Christian but participate in the swamp is your claim valid ?  I have grown tired of writing about how being involved with human governments is spiritual treason against GOD, Christ and our heavenly citizenship.  I have proven this is Satans world and Satan is the author of all the confusion we call government and religion.  I have proven that it is GODS will to end all human governments and replace them with HIS kingdom.  I have plainly proven that Christians are not citizens of the nation they live in but are ambassadors that do not participate in any government except GODS government.  GOD purchased Christians out of the world with the blood of HIS son, we are GODS property and have entered a covenant with HIM.  When we involve ourselves in the worldly governments we violate the covenant.  Is it right to take up positions with two different authorities, to take part in the governments of the world and the government of GOD simultaneously.  This is the act of a double minded hypocrite.  To violate the covenant that a Christian has made with GOD is sin.  Israel violated their covenant and paid the price.  Christ said he was not of this world and that his sheep were not of this world.  What does that mean to you ?  To truly understand what this means is the difference between life and death.  When a person has been baptized and given the gift of the Holy Spirit you must be 100% committed to GOD and Christ and no one else.  The hope, the promise of everlasting life is not a 99% commitment.  What does scripture say, “love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind” ,  this sounds like total commitment to me.  

This issue of taking part in the carnal worlds  governments is one that has been difficult for some of GODS elect to see and to understand the seriousness of those actions .  1 John 1:3,4,5,6,7   James 4:4   Ephesians 5:11  1 Corinthians 1:9   I could give you dozens more scriptures but will it have any impact ?  Only GOD can give the understanding.

IS COMMON SENSE DEAD ?

 We have rogue judges in this nation that interpret the United States constitution in such a way as to include everyone on earth as being protected by the justice system and rights under the law.  A reading of the preamble of the constitution should be sufficient to prove this idea insane, illogical and illegal.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

--Preamble to the United States Constitution

Notice there is no mention of protecting the rights of anyone else except citizens of the United States of America.  It is government of, by and for the people of the United States only.  The attempt to extend these rights and liberties to foreigners here legally or illegally is just not in the constitution.  There is not a country on Earth that extends blanket rights to cover non-citizens.  

In the case of due process, that is at the core of today’s rogue judges actions, it does not apply to invaders that have illegally entered our nation, not by just a few but by the millions, renders due process an impossibility because of the sheer numbers currently present in the United States.  In this instance the only logical solution or action is deportation.

Another document of our nation is the Declaration of Independence.  Below is the preamble to the Declaration of Independence.

 
“Preamble” of the Declaration of Independence
 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to
secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any
Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right
of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,
laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness.

It is governments instituted to secure the rights of the governed.  Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, the citizens.  No where does it mention foreigners here legally or illegally.  It does not.  There are special rules that apply to any foreigner that are used to assure fair treatment but these rules do not apply to an invasion of our nation by huge numbers of people who have entered our nation illegally.  Logic and common sense dictate that in the case of an invasion the invaders have only the rights due a prisoner of war.

Habeas corpus, used to challenge unlawful imprisonment and deportation of illegal aliens, is or should be suspended during times of invasion just as Abraham Lincoln did during the civil war.  In the case of illegal aliens, already guilty of breaking our immigration laws, no due process is needed or required and all such individuals must be deported.

This would also apply to aliens here legally if they break our laws or cause civil unrest like those college students at some of our colleges and universities.  

To summarize;  The founding fathers, in the documents written by their own hands, never included or intended our Constitution to cover any non-citizen.  The men and women who gave their lives to protect our country and constitution shed their blood in the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.  It would be a severe offense to their sacrifices to allow foreigners who haven’t spilled one drop of their blood the same rights and liberties given only to citizens.  

Common sense is absolutely necessary for any nation to long survive.  The U.S. seems to be on the verge of losing it.

 

The Death of Common Sense

How Law Is Suffocating America

America is drowning: in law, legality, bureaucratic process. Abandoning our common sense and individual sense of responsibility, we live in terror of the law, in awe of procedure, at war with one another. There are dozens of examples of bureaucratic overkill – everything from the labeling of window cleaner as a toxic substance to the U.S. Department of Defense spending $2 billion on travel and $2.2 billion processing the paperwork for that travel – The Death of Common Sense shows how far we have wandered, how we got into this mess, and how we can – and must – get out.

THE DEATH OF COMMON SENSE 

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:

• Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
• Why the early bird gets the worm;
• Life isn’t always fair;
• And maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion or a sex change.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death,
-by his parents, Truth and Trust,
-by his wife, Discretion,
-by his daughter, Responsibility,
-and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 5 stepbrothers;

• I Know My Rights
• I Want It Now
• Someone Else Is To Blame
• I’m A Victim
• Pay me for Doing Nothing

Not many attended his funeral as they didn’t realize he was gone.

A NEW REVELATION ABOUT BAPTISM ROMANS 6:3,4

 In another article I explained how Jesus was baptized not for himself but for the ancient saints that practiced circumcision.  Romans 15:8. That circumcision represented the line of saints born before Jesus.  Circumcision was an act of faith that through Abraham “all the nations of the earth would be blessed”.  Acts 3:25,26  Galatians 3:16    It was a sign of the promised messiah after the flesh because Jesus was created a human being. Galatians 3:29   Romans 4:11  These ancient saints, some listed in Hebrews 11, all had the Holy Spirit and faith imputed to them as a result. Romans 4:3  Jesus confirmed the promise made to all these ancient saints by being baptized for them to fulfill all righteousness.  Romans 15:8  Matthew 3:15  This sign was for both Israelites and gentiles because Abraham had faith before he was circumcised just as gentiles do.  This baptism was the fulfillment of the sign of circumcision.  This fulfillment made possible the calling of the uncircumcised gentiles.

Now, to another new understanding of baptism.

In Mark 10:38  Jesus asked, “can you be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with” ?  Jesus was not referring to the baptism he did with John the Baptist but an immersion not in water but in spirit.  

Jesus was totally immersed in his FATHER and his FATHER totally immersed in Jesus from Mary’s womb, the two were one, John 10:30  Psalm 22:10  Jesus was the first human being ever to be one with GOD.  When we are baptized, we are baptized into Jesus, who was baptized into GOD.  Our baptism is not yet completed as we too must become like Christ, totally immersed in the FATHER.  Scripture says that we the saints look forward to our salvation when we will be one with the FATHER.  John 17:20,21  here Jesus prays to his GOD that all the elect may someday be one as Jesus was with GOD.   Jesus was one while in the flesh and only needed a glorified spirit body to be immortal.  Jesus in the flesh was unable to sin or be tempted with evil just as his GOD is.  Jesus was as righteous and perfect as GOD HIMSELF.   

Some false preachers say that baptism is not needed, saying we are baptized in the Holy Spirit . Scriptures that say we are baptized in the Holy Spirit cannot mean that this is equal to the baptism Jesus was created in, the total immersion of GOD dwelling in Jesus in all HIS fullness.  Colossians 2:9  Well these liars are actually saying we are one with GOD right now as Jesus was when obviously we are not. We yet sin and need grace for forgiveness and will not achieve perfection like as in Christ until our change comes. Water baptism by immersion is symbolic of that baptism Jesus mentioned in Mark 10:38.  Mark 10:39  is Jesus speaking of the future when all the saints become exact copies of Christ spiritually in both glorified spirit body and glorified human spirit.  2 Corinthians 3:18  Today Jesus is not a human being and in the resurrection neither will we be.  The first step to achieve this hope is to repent and be baptized.  Acts 2:38  Mark 16:16   Luke 13:3   Matthew 4:17   The next step is receiving the Holy Spirit in “a portion” only, not in totality as Jesus had.  John 3:34  

So then, water baptism by immersion is required as it symbolizes our future baptism into GODS spirit and then we all will be one with the FATHER just as Jesus is one with the FATHER.  Water baptism is an act of faith to believe that our future salvation will fulfill what GOD said in the beginning, Genesis 1:26,  and rule as kings and priests with Christ.

LEARNING FROM FRED FLINTSTONE

I remember as a child watching cartoons on our black and white Philco TV that had a circular screen about 8 or 10 inches in diameter.  One cartoon that has remained in my memory is what I want to share with you.  

There was a cartoon character Fred Flintstone who was faced with not helping his best friend Barney out by sharing the possible winnings of a sweepstakes ticket because Barney didn’t have the money to buy one for himself . Then the angel confronted Fred about his attitude while the devil said it would be stupid to share the money, on one shoulder there was the devil and on the other shoulder was the angel.  The devil was tempting Fred to be greedy and the angel to be giving and sharing.   Even though this was only a cartoon the concept of two spirits speaking in our minds is actually a reality.

  I have experienced this choosing of good or evil many times as I am sure you have as well.  There are inner voices in the mind that represent good and evil. These voices are not orginating from your mind but from outside your mind and entering into your mind. Most of the time this spiritual phenomenon is thought to be just our own inner voice and don’t give it another thought.  This is what the Bible calls spiritual warfare that is fought in our human spirit or mind.  While Christians are not oblivious to this spiritual warfare and even know the best choices to make far to often make the wrong choice.  Sin very often is the result,  Hebrews 12:1 the phrase, “easily ensnares us” is a true statement as Romans 7:12-25  explains.  “When I want to do good evil is present with me, another law at work in my body warring against the law of my mind for the good that I want to do I do not, but the evil that I don’t want to do that I do”   You see, a Christian wants to do good and obey GOD, but there is a spiritual force, Ephesians 6:12, spiritual wickedness in high places that causes us to go against our own will and that is why , “it is no longer I that sin but sin that dwells in me” Romans 7:17   Yes, we often lose these spiritual battles but the ultimate victory was won for us by Jesus Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:56,57   Romans 7:24 

Galatians 5:17  Matthew 26:41   GOD ALMIGHTY sees that the thoughts and intents of our human spirit is to love and obey HIM and is fully aware of these spiritual forces of wickedness.  If we do sin, we have an advocate with the FATHER, Jesus Christ and our faith in GOD and HIS son to believe the message of the gospel.  It is because of this faith that we can be forgiven and have that faith imputed to us as righteousness.  

I know it is a stretch to compare a cartoon to the truth of the gospel , but we are all like Fred Flintstone except we aren’t a cartoon character.