May 21, 2023 - Beware of the Traps, They Catch Men!

The world citizen trap:
Go along to get along; don’t make waves

In a sense, we (Christians) are dual citizens:
Live, work, vote, and die here, but we do not belong here

We are temporary citizens here on visa; our real citizenship is not here, it is with God!
We look forward to our real eternal home!

Hebrews 11:13-16
"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off [a]were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

God has established governments and Christians are to be good citizens

BUT . . . .
If the governments are against the precepts of God, we cannot obey

“We ought to obey God rather than man” Acts 5: 29

Beware of the “ignore God” trap

Romans 13: 1 gives clear instructions for our dual citizenship:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities”

1 Peter 2: 13 - “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution”

Subject = “hupotasso” = to place in an orderly fashion under something, under a superior

Believers are to submit to government unless told by that government to disobey God

What did Jesus advocate for His followers?
Speak the truth in the culture!

We are to be ambassadors of Christ - 2 Corinthians 5: 20

We are living in a changing America!

If the people are corrupt, the republic will be corrupt and not stand!

Beware of the government god trap:
Give you everything, own nothing and be happy (Communism 101)

What America is experiencing today is termed “soft totalitarianism”

People run from totalitarian regimes

Totalitarianism: A government that takes total, centralized, state control over every aspect of public and private life (Think Stalan, Hitler, Mao Zedong) ...

* Police terror
* Indoctrination
* Propaganda and censorship
* Religious or ethnic persecution

Christians today are living in a world that is transitioning to totalitarianism, antichrist system

How to avoid the Christian passivity trap:

1) Live filled with the Holy Spirit (toe in Christianity will not help you)
2) Speak out in the public domain with the truth! One word of truth counters a world of lies!
3) VOTE!! While we are free, do not sit on the sidelines
4) Stay connected, support one another!

Many Christians today want to take up arms – is this what Jesus advocated? NO!!

Many want to sit back and do nothing – is this what Jesus advocated? NO!!

Many want peace at all costs, peace at the cost of truth – is this what Jesus advocated? NO!!

This is a battle of worldviews – Secular vs Biblical

While we are still free, engage with the truth!

John 8:32 - And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you FREE

The trap is to give up! - DON'T

FIGHT, FAITH, & FINISH - based on 2 Timothy 4:6-8

While here as dual citizens, I will represent my Lord!

May this be our battle cry: I WILL TRUST IN THE LORD UNTIL I DIE!

There is a new world coming!

In the meantime . . . . . .
BEWARE OF THE TRAPS!
THEY CATCH MEN!!

In Jesus' world and our world, we are living in a world of traps.

"For among My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men." - Jeremiah 5:26