A Biblical Perspective on Current Events

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (sin/death). For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Rom. 8:1-4).

That’s freedom!

Freedom Fighters

May 21, 2003

According to many in the Islamic nations, “freedom fighters” were the ones who attacked the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. on September 11, 2001. The following excerpt is from Unveiling Islam: An Insider’s Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs by Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner (Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, p. 181):

On February 23, 1998, five Islamic caliphates (leaders) signed a fatwa (religious decree) declaring war against the United States. Representing five radical factions, these men united to call the Muslim world to common cause against the perceived enemy of Islam… (The following is part of that text.)

Praise be to Allah, who revealed the Book, controls the clouds, defeats factionalism, and says in His Book “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)”; and peace be upon our Prophet, Muhammed Bin-Abdallah, who said “I have been sent with the sword between my hands to ensure that no one but Allah is worshipped, Allah who put my livelihood under the shadow of my spear and who inflicts humiliation and scorn on those who disobey my orders.”

Radical and moderate Muslims look to the Quran, the Sunnah, and the Hadith as their sources for truth. In their sincere minds, they believe they are liberating infidels when they convert individuals in the name of Allah and bring them into the freedom of an Islamic state. Allah demands both spiritual and political control. In other words, there is no separation between church and state. So, who are the true freedom fighters in our world today?

American President George W. Bush, who is also the Commander in Chief of the American armed forces, has countered the September 11th attack on America by stating, “War has been declared on America; we will fight for our freedoms and our way of life.”

The basic freedoms Americans are fighting for are spelled out in the first amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

History teaches us that human freedoms have been very costly since the archangel Lucifer rebelled against our Creator, and Adam chose to disobey in the garden of Eden (Ezek. 28; Is. 14:12-15; Gen. 3). Lucifer’s sin of pride and rebellion plunged his followers, both angels and the human race, into bondage (Rev. 12:7-9; Rom. 5:12).

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, to bring freedom to humanity. The incarnate Son of God was the champion of all freedom fighters. He said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). He willingly obeyed Father God’s plan to become the “Lamb of God” to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Father God made Jesus “who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus Christ became like us (sinners), so that we could become like Him (sinless). Scripture says, “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6). Living in freedom as Jesus lived comes through our “abiding in Him” as branches of the vine. Jesus said:

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser…If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:1, 7).

The Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence enables believers to abide in the vine, Jesus. The Spirit and Word work together within believers. As those in Christ accept and act on God’s living Word, they will remain free, and their minds will be renewed.

…be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom. 12:2).

Believers who hear the word and do not act upon it deceive themselves (James 1:21-22). The believer with the renewed mind lives free from sin, the old nature, Satan, the law, and condemnation.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (sin/death). For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Rom. 8:1-4).

That’s freedom!

Father God has joined believers in Christ to Himself through Jesus; they have become one spirit with Him (James 1:18; 1 Cor. 6:17). George W. Bush is one of these in union with the Father, and he serves as the Commander in Chief of the U.S. armed forces. In my view, he is leading the true freedom fighters both spiritually and militarily. As new covenant believers, we are called with him to live in the freedom of Christ, speak the truth in love, and free others. Free people free people. For those of us who fulfill our calling, the best is yet to come.