We live in a world of social manipulation. The advent of Computer Technology, Social Media, and Artificial Intelligence has led to a trifecta of attempted control and influence over our minds and spirits. And I fear the ultimate goal is to convince true Christians that their belief system is not valid. The world will tell us that not only does our faith not represent Jesus's message of "love thy neighbor", but they will try to convince us that our message of impending judgment for our sins does not ring true to God's Word.
True, without a full understanding of the complete message from God in the Bible -- which involves the dual concepts of both Love and Judgment -- it's easy to see how the unenlightened could be confused, misguided, and influenced to fall for distorted and exploited lies. Which is why it is immensely important that Christians know and understand the fullness and complete counsel of God's Word. And there you have one of the most effective tactics of God's Enemy, who is the Father of Lies. Satan has been practicing this tactic, which we now know as Gaslighting, for the last 2000 years, but it seems to me that he has been able to advance his agenda exponentially in the last 50 years or so.
Just in my lifetime, I have discerned that he was able to convince the American public [and our governing officials] that God's Word can be offensive to others who 1) don't believe in Him; 2) don't want to to believe in Him; or 3) are unduly judged because they don't follow Him, or they follow another god. Then Satan convinced his proxies to carefully plant the idea that we Christians are misrepresenting Jesus by not "loving others as we love ourselves". In other words, we are painted as being hypocritical, holier-than-thou, possessing hollow faith, and being two-faced. We are labeled sanctimonious and insincere Believers; intolerant, and exclusive.
Consequently, we are presently inundated with social engineering tactics as a means to influence and control society's attitudes and behaviors. We are told that Jesus would be a proponent of DEI policies -- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion -- as well as a champion of "Social Justice". But any student of the Bible knows that Jesus did not come to promote a social agenda. He came to teach [and personify] God's will in the hearts of men. Yes, He met people's physical needs, but it was always people who were either following Him, or seeking Him, or people whom the Father sent Him to who were in need of a relationship with Him. He never advocated for the local government to provide what the people needed. He didn't call for taxes to be raised or the prosperous to be divested of their wealth. And yes, Jesus preached that it should it be a priority to take care of the poor and needy within the community. BUT, He spoke that this was the responsibility of each individual or local groups within that community, not a governing body imposing their will on all the people.
You see, Jesus didn't really trust the government to fix the world's problems; that's why He was sent. And the answers to fixing those problems would be taught [and carried on] by those who follow Him. And He showed us by example. It is a heart-to-heart solution; one individual who exemplifies the Father's love [for each of us] to another. When you know and understand that foundational Truth of the Word, you will not fall for the psychological deception of the world that tries to convince us we are mistaken in our theology. Do not be manipulated into agreeing with the parts of godless society who say we are hard-hearted and judgmental; do not fall for the deceptive compromise of Satan's spokesmen.
And remember this! While we should always maintain a solid and loving relationship with God and seek to share His love with our fellow man, we must also recognize that God has given us a total plan for our reconciliation with Him and for our redemption. His commandments stretch from the Law and the Prophets in the Old Testament to the New Covenant in the New Testament. They represent the totality of God's Word to us, and are still in full effect today. The Biblical manipulators of today will try to convince you that the Judgment exhibited by God in the first half of the Bible has been replaced by His Mercy in the second half of the Book. And they will spread the misconception that anyone who holds true to righteous judgment is legalistic and misrepresenting Jesus's command to love others.
But this just shows their lack of knowledge of God and His full counsel. Yes, Jesus taught us of God's Grace, but the glory of that Gospel is that the true expression of our love for our neighbor involves sharing the full truth of God's Word -- that He promises the certainty of His judgment if we disobey or rebel against His righteousness. We are due His judgment [and yes, even His wrath] should we continue in our sin. That promise of righteous judgment makes room for His mercy when we acknowledge our sins and repent. You see, He makes a way for us to return to a justified and acceptable relationship with Him.
Of this, we can be sure ... there will be a day of Judgment and it is because of His love and sacrifice for each of us that we can choose to love our neighbor as ourself; to love them enough to share the Good News that Jesus loves them, too; so as to spare them the consequences of His holy judgment. So, I want to leave you with these thoughts .... because we stand firm in our Biblically-endorsed theology, we must expect to be judged [and even persecuted] ourselves. But do not let that possibility lead us into the temptation to compromise with the world and "go along to get along". By standing solidly on the Word, we can also expect to reap an inheritance of eternal blessings. Hold fast to your beliefs and faith; God will not abandon us to the opponents of His Word. In reality, we will be given the mind of Christ and the counsel of the Holy Spirit, that we might be approved to show the authentic love of Christ to everyone so that God might grant them repentance and a place in Eternity with Him. We will not be manipulated, confused, or misguided!
2 Corinthians 10:5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ
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