We wrestle not

I am thinking about the state of affairs in this nation, how we grieve again for the dead as well as the living. I am fearful, not fearful only for myself, or those who support the second amendment or those who would like to see gun ownership highly controlled.

I am fearful for the decline in civility, rightousness and kindness. I am fearful for how we treat those we do not agree with, because we lack simple gentleness in our disagreements.

Scripture says not to be puffed up when someone we disagree with stumbles or falls, yet we are joyful when that heppens. Scripture again says to not allow corrupt conversation to come from us, yet we choose slanderous words to hurt others to win our arguments.

We try to fix things by angry arguments and strong words. We call out transgressions 40 years old and ignore the ones which happen recently, because they do not help our political beliefs. We lie about heritage to get a better job, and cheat the poor and needy from life giving foods and medicines. We are willing to sacrifice the beauty Gods creation for a few dollars and call it progress.

We are all corrupt. There is none rightous, not one.

Ironically, we all do want a better country, a better society, a better life. We cannot get it by passing laws, but rather by turning to God and asking to change each of our lives. Because within each of us is the ability to change not only our country, but our world. But we cannot do it our way, we must follow the prescription God has given us for the needed change:

2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Then we must realize that we cannot legislate the change of heart, but again realize this:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

And then know that our enemy is not the liberal Democrat or the Tump conservative, but the one who wants to destroy us all.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

We dont have to give up our individual beliefs for government, politics or business, yet if we simply listen to God He Will change our lives, country and world for the better as we follow him, regardless of our faith traditions.