Resources/Articles
A New Leaf
I’ve decided to quit complaining about politics and start praising Jesus more. He gets my vote every day. There may be exceptions when a biblical principle is infringed. Unfortunately, some religious and moral issues have been made political issues as well. We’ll try to sort it out, attempting to avoid the politics as much as possible. I’ve been around long enough to see the great change in people’s lives as a result of the gospel. It’s the most powerful thing on earth. Nothing else could have done it. Certainly not politics. I have seen political arguments bring out the worst, with little change.
Anyway, Christians shouldn’t come across as constant complainers. We have every reason to rejoice! It’s a choice. I also hope to pass on a little levity, a little humor, along the way for “A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine” (Proverbs 17.22). We need more merry hearts! “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance…” (Proverbs 15.13). “…He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast” (Proverbs 15.15).
When I contemplate how Christianity survived and prevailed over the cruel, ruthless Roman Empire, I am overwhelmingly forced to conclude that God was involved. Jesus had no standing army ready to fight with carnal weapons. His fishermen were no match for hardened Roman soldiers. The gospel was not to be spread by coercion, but by conversion. Paul said, “We do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of are warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casing down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10.3-5). Jesus rebuked Peter for using violence (Matthew 26.51-53).
How likely was this small minority movement, which didn’t use coercion (but only the gospel) likely to survive and prevail over the mighty Roman Empire of which violence, torture, and murder were integral parts? Some of the persecutions of Christians were empire-wide in an effort to stamp it out. Many Christian died in the Roman Colosseum from ferocious beasts and gladiators.
So, how did Christianity come from being the extreme underdog with all of its disadvantages to become the official state religion of the Roman Empire in 323AD? Don’t treat that as a passing thought. Don’t dodge this. Try explaining it! The mighty Roman Empire received its deathblow in 476. Christianity has outlasted it for over 15 centuries! It’s still alive and growing! I wonder if the fact that we’re told his kingdom would last forever has anything to do with it (Hebrews 12.28; Daniel 7.14,18,27)? It has outlasted all the empires put together! The Caesars were so powerful that you had to burn incense to them under penalty of death. They were “bigger than life” in their glory days. Why aren’t we dating our coins, calendars, and legal documents from them instead of from the carpenter? Where are they now? I greatly and gladly delight in pointing out that the Caesars have a salad named after them and the average person doesn’t remember any of their names.
There is only one explanation for all of this.. The gospel is the power of God and Jesus is the Son of God. The word of God is called the “sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6.17; Romans 1.16). It is the most poerful thing there is. It changes lives. Praise God! I would much rather convince someone that Jesus is the Son of God than whether you should get the vaccine or any number of her of issues that should never have been politicized.
