Christian Discernment

Christians in the United States are becoming acutely aware of their place in the ever-changing societal evolution. We are just another speed bump to be run over, another dead skunk in the road to be dodged, another helpless group of people without a “protected class” sticker on our foreheads.  We see our hospitals threatened by a government that refuses to acknowledge or understand our Biblical-based beliefs on the sanctity of human life. Christian business owners are threatened with fines for not offering their services to persons whose lifestyles are deemed sinful by Biblical beliefs, and now Hobby Lobby is before the Supreme Court because the Biblical principles they espouse are not in accordance with Obamacare.

As Christians we know and understand from our Biblical studies that the world in which we live is ruled by evil; sometimes subtle, oftentimes brutal, but with the eventual degradation of humanity the end result in both instances. Christians in the United States are able to see, if they choose to study and observe, the direction our Government leads us in the liberal, or progressive, agenda that it follows.

In some countries these government-led activities are sanctioned and used in the Church. Russia is a case in study. The Orthodox Church was created in 1054 after they separated from the Catholic Church. The Russian Orthodox grew in prominence because Ottoman Rule never subjugated it. After 1997, Russian President Yeltsen proclaimed by law that the Orthodox Church was one of the four approved religions in Russia. President Putin is described as devoutly Orthodox. I will take this statement at face value knowing his past KGB history and the overall functionality of that organization. Since Putin has come into power he has used the Orthodox Church to solidify Kremlin desires in other Orthodox countries, such as Ukraine and Serbia. The Orthodox Church appears to espouse this relationship as it enhances the Russian Orthodox Church in those areas of Eastern Europe where Moscow desires stronger ties.  A good article on this subject is here.

Christians and our Churches are placed into some interesting and dangerous quagmires in this world. Our guidance for discernment continues to be the Bible and a faithful prayer life. If we allow ourselves to fall into lockstep with the secular world, whether liberal and progressive, or staunchly doctrinal, we will take our place on the wrong side of the aisle against our God. Fight the Good Fight! By the Grace of God we will win!