Zeal Will Perform This!
All posts by Guy Hayes
Why Christian Nationalism is Both Heretical and Non-Scriptural
The so-called Christian Nationalist movement has no actual foundation for existence short of embodying the metaphorical “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. This movement only seems to be embraced by a small number of followers, but that number could be increasing.
According to the Washington Post, Christian Nationalism is an ideology that says Christianity is the foundation of the United States and that government should protect that foundation.
Strangely enough, many of the participants in the movement are those identifiable as far right extremists whose attachment to the Kingdom seems tangential at most if not superficial.
A foundational truth that the promoters of this clique seem to miss is that we are not to be encumbered or tied down by politics or earthbound country. Those who consider themselves true citizens of the Kingdom, also considers themselves “strangers and pilgrims on earth” [Hebrews 11:13], but they are “not of this world” as Jesus said. [John 17:14]
Since the days of the Apostle Paul, we have heard it reiterated, these are the last days before the triumphant return of our coming King. How can we become so enamored of a country that is temporary and soon to fade away? How could the
concept of a Christian Nationalist not be an oxymoron?
It was Paul who reminded us that we are to be ambassadors for the Kingdom. Dictionary.com defines an ambassador as: a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative. The ambassador does not get involved in the affairs of the country in which s/he is stationed. How then, do we justify commitment and investment to the country where we’re stationed? And to what end?
The Time Jesus Preached and Nobody Got Saved
The fourth chapter of Luke describes a scene infamously used by preachers everywhere. Jesus came to the temple in Nazareth as was His habit. He came to speak and was handed the scroll containing Isaiah 61:1-2:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
He said that the scripture was being fulfilled at that very moment. The text announces the mission of the Messiah and by reading it in their hearing, he implied that he was Messiah. They were not inclined to believe that was true. He knew they were looking for miraculous signs like he performed in Capernaum. Then they attempted to become familiar with Him.
Jesus quoted an old proverb: “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’”
“Truly I tell you,” He continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.”
This truth remains inviolate and I reflect on it often. I sometimes wonder if my fortune would have been different if I had departed from my home town.
Jesus went on to share historic truth declaring that though there were many widows in Israel, Elijah was sent to a gentile woman. And though there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha but only Naaman the Syrian was cleansed. The implication was that this crowd in Nazareth would miss a blessing because they are out-of-sync with the move of God.
This infuriated the crowd. They forced him out of town and soon reached a cliff where they would have thrown him to his death, but he slipped through the crowd and left. They led him out of town, if they didn’t carry him, but he eluded them all and walked away. I frequently re-tell this story to young people as a way of illustrating the sheer power and restraint [read mercy] of our Lord.
Dear reader, I have encountered many scrapes, fiery interactions and insults but, I’ve never been taken captive by a crowd for the purpose of being violently lynched. If I had, I would be hard pressed to continue with my ministry under that kind of duress.
This is not the worst, nor would it be the last time people would show extreme malice to our Savior. Yet, in spite of all of this, he continued steadfast to die for us. He didn’t quit or return evil for evil.
The last few years have been pivotal as we have seen extraordinary upheaval as a result of the COVID pandemic. So many have experienced so much isolation creating so much desperation and chaos. We must show the kind of resolve that Christ showed even as we plead with the Holy Spirit to assist us
Humility Lost?
No matter where you look, it seems that the civility, the finesse the restraint that used to characterize public interactions is gone missing. Stuck with so much controversy and angst, I ran across Matthew 18:3
3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt+18%3A3-5&version=NIV>
As I look at people in 2022, I begin to wonder whether anyone is interested in humbling themselves. We have arrived at a stage where the notion of people treating each other with grace and civility seems remote. This is said in the backdrop of the pandemic when our bottled up and sequestered crazy birthed in us litters of new crazy, crying and squealing for soothing.
One needs only to catch the news to see the seething anger and contempt across the world. As foretold, nation against nation, brother against brother. Nevertheless, we need not lose hope.
We, the kingdom citizens must again use the mantra that brought about the advent of the dispensation of grace: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Repent means change your thinking and we have been lulled into a conformist mindset with the world. And we, Kingdom Citizens are as angry and resentful as anyone else.
We call ourselves Christian, but do we hold contempt in our hearts for abortionists and/or rights advocates? For the LGBTQ+ community? For the gun toters and militia men? Repent! Change your mind! Our constitution forbids avarice & contempt (see I Cor. 13)
The spirit that allows puffed-up haughtiness and arrogance is not humbled. The word humble derived from the Latin “humus” meaning the ground i.e. clear footing on the ground to understand one’s stature. Jesus insists that we must be brought down to a child’s lowliness that is not pretentious or conformist with the world.
The church must rid itself of pride. If we don’t do it, the next shaking, whether it be COVID or World War will drive carnal Christians out of hiding. Narcissistic, superior, prideful people need not apply. Declarations of people that cannot or will not forgive others who have offended them; your pride, ruthlessness and avarice will be your downfall.
I am learning to deny my flesh its satisfaction, its revenge, its bloodlust. That becomes the price of admission to the Kingdom (Jesus paid it all). Until I rid myself of all of it, I cannot even see the Kingdom. We are called to love mercy in awe of the Divine love that granted us mercy, so undeserved. We are to show mercy wherever in our power to do so. This cannot be done in pride, God gives grace to the humble.
The Calculus of Romans Five
The Word of God is alive, mystic and illustrative. The Holy Spirit inspired it all and through Saint Paul gave us these verses:
Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 2 Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our [a]hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. 3 And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. 5 Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%205&version=KJV,AMP>
We learn to rejoice in problems and trials and while we learn that it is a process but it is not so enjoyable on its face. We also know that these problems teach us how to wait [without complaint, to quiet our wants and selfish motives ⥤ focus on things outside ourselves]
This tedious patience ≳
this waiting on the Lord≳
This refusal to give up ⥤
This is the aim and goal of character building He employs for our benefit. These tense periods are so difficult that He personally mediates how long they last. His good pleasure is to give us the Kingdom.
All of this brings about experience→ Nothing compares to experience↡ as a change agent
Experience informs pain, tolerance
depth;
renders time meaningless
Experience is the difference between fathers, young men and children [I John 2:13]
This is the victory; not strength, nor stamina
Experience provides the ability for patience to flourish; patience begins to wane without reinforcement.
Experience always re-assures that “God is in control”
Experience takes us to the future where hope abides
We dare not lose hope or faith, two invaluable footholds as we make the climb . . .
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. [2 Corinthians 4:8-10]
Romans 4:4
We say the Bible is the inspired Word of God. We use its 783,000 words to justify and bless court procedures, weddings, funerals and baptisms and blessing our babies. I would remind you that “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.” [II Tim 3:16 MSG.] We have affirmed and lived as if this was true for large portions of our lives.
So when Romans 4:4 appeared in this week’s Sunday School lesson, it was like a floodlight beacon hitting me. And yes, I do attend Sunday School as often as my schedule allows. This word provides confirmation to those of us who literally believe that every single word from the Bible is true.
Many have opined for a long while that the economy of the United States benefitted significantly from coerced labor performed by slaves taken from the African Continent. Furthermore, a debt is owed to Africa-descended people for their many years of labor that established the economy of this country.
Reparations
Many books have been written pro or con this issue, on the side against reparations, critics have argued that none of the benefactors from slavery are still alive, including the original victims. This argument on its face is absurd. How could the original victims expect or even hope for compensation? Could it have happened during Reconstruction from the “War for Slave Labor” known commonly as the Civil War? Nope! And because over time many other barriers were erected to deny and diminish Black economic progress, the debt has and more importantly, the frustration with the obstruction has become immense.
Kamathi Muirairi of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, History Department, said it better: “From 1619 to 1863, this nation stole 244 years of unpaid and dehumanizing labor from African-Americans. From 1863 to today, this nation has imposed 156 years of largely intentional repression on African-Americans trying to rebuild their communities and prosper. For that, the U.S. not only owes financial reparations, but also a renewed and sincere commitment to extending a fair chance in life to all people. Restitution requires it and the validity of this nation’s founding principle, as defined in the Declaration of Independence, depends on it. Without this reckoning, the American covenant is a farce.”
So when Romans 4:4 says: “If a man works, his pay is not a gift. It is something he has earned”, how can we deny payments to the descendants of slaves who worked to the point of death, danger and dismemberment on these shores working without pay?
This is not to say that citizens should be compelled to reach into their pockets. This does mandate that the very rich government of the United States should find a way to fulfill this obligation in a way that will begin to level the playing field for the years of oppression already suffered. Those who declare this is not a racist nation, but one built on Christian principles need to see to it.
I would also add this monumental article for you to contemplate: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631
More on this important topic to come!!
This Day {we pray} . . .
Father God;
We praise and thank you for your Almighty power and Omniscient grace that allowed us to see this day . . .
This day when rescuers search for survivors in a South Florida building collapse
This day when several states in the west are experiencing severe heat and desperately need your rain
This day when Derek Chauvin is sentenced – we do not celebrate his guilt or his punishment. We wait in hope that those guilty of similar deeds are convicted by your Spirit and forbidden from doing similar deeds.
This day when political and cultural leaders are in conflict with no real relief in sight.
Lord, let your Spirit move on our country to calm us, and let us see your arm working to work our your will.
This day when there is war, famine and disaster across the world – we beg your mercy and grace in the Name of Jesus. For you mercy endures forever!!
Now Faith Is . . .
A dear friend of mine shared that many of my blog articles discuss topics beyond her understanding in the Christian faith. She was looking for material that would provide an introduction to important subject matter. I am beginning a series called “In Beginnings” that I hope will fit this needed niche.
The first miracle detailed as part of the Christmas story describes the teen-aged Mary who after hearing the news from the angel Gabriel that she was chosen to bear a son who would be called “Son of the Most High”. He also said Christ would take on David’s throne, a most daunting statement.
Her reaction to hearing this audacious pronouncement was ” . . .be it unto me according to thy word” [Luke 1:38 KJV]. Her reaction was not contrary, but fully engaged with what she heard. Mary acknowledged this even though the Lord had not interacted in the earth for 400 years. Mary hears this and responds that she is readily available to receive this great blessing with no equivocation.
There are many accounts of people hearing a word from God and responding not only affirmatively but in a way that disregards common knowledge to comply and as a result were immeasurably blessed.
What do you believe?
Another example and a favorite similar circumstance is recounted in Matthew 17 where Jesus directs Peter to go to the lake and throw in a hook. “cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.” [Matthew 17:27b MSG.]
Jesus had proven himself to Peter. I wonder if I would faithfully follow His direction or if I would let doubt and unbelief rule the day: “So we could both get locked up if I don’t catch the ‘right’ fish? What if I don’t go to the spot you have in mind? Do I have the right bait?”
Unlikely as it was, Peter caught the fish and the coin was in its mouth. 
We often overthink our faith dilemmas. We feel led to respond and as we do, second guesses and unbelief steal our victories. It’s important to get counsel and encouragement from other believers. It is likely that those who give you counsel and encouragement are in your life for that reason. In addition, the Bible, the Word of God is the final authority on how we proceed in this present world.
There’s only One Christmas Spirit!
My Nana was the first to ask if we had the Christmas spirit. Other people would ask if we had “caught” the Christmas spirit. Later, I realized that most people misspoke about what they imagined the Christmas spirit to be. People tended to speak of the joy of giving and receiving, the peace of warm family times, the friendliness and cheeriness of strangers.
All of these traits are benefits of the spirit of Christmas, fully embellished with sentimentality and illustrated in movies galore. The world gets a taste every year but doesn’t reckon the way to live in this light and warmth hence the old adage: “Wise Men Still Seek Him”.
Materialism?
My wife tends to call me a Grinch for the Dr. Suess character who tried to steal the joy of Christmas by stealing the Christmas loot. I have never been a hater of Christmas, but I have resented the commercialism that masquerades as the real spirit.
I resented that there seemed to be many influences working to persuade people that the spirit of buying, the spirit of materialism, the spirit of entitlement added to the spirit of overindulgence equals Christmas.
These are all wrong ideas. These are not separate entities. The spirit of Christmas is the one and only Holy Spirit who opens us up to warmth and affection that is completely irrational, to giving beyond what seems reasonable, to leaving our natural desires because of what He has done [and continues to do]. There is no other spirit of Christmas, no matter what others may say.
This is the affinity that people thirst for. The joy of Christmas exists with Him and He allows us to experience it and it grows within us as we abide with Him. The world tries to deny him but even as the years are numbered by his birth which is celebrated by billions worldwide, so His influence continues forever {Hallelujah!}.
And even in the shadow of this torn and shredded year, He will pour out His Spirit yet once again to help unite us and heal our hearts. If you don’t know Him, your healing can begin now. Ask Him to reign over your life and heart. Feel free to share your experience with me!
Only then will be learn to position Him in His rightful place as prophesied by Isaiah: ” . . . A Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [9:6 AMP]
In the Midst of a Pandemic, Give Thanks!
