CELEBRATE SIN or a LEGACY?

Lorrie Naylor Photo

 

From Memorial Day to Independence Day, there are thirty-four days, and thirty of them now celebrate SIN calling it pride. Not the pride we feel in our children, spouse, family, and friends or when singing our National Anthem or God Bless America. No, this pride defies God Almighty, desecrates His Holy Word, and yet proves it TRUE at the same time.

 

Those who celebrate—hate God—even though they may not realize it, as some claim to be Christians. So why flaunt sin and act like their lifestyle doesn’t grieve God’s heart?

 

Pride originated with Lucifer/Satan as he proclaimed, “I will be like the Most High.”[1] By his cunning, he deceived one-third of the angels. And after their expulsion from heaven, they, along with their leader, roam around in the dry places[2] until they find one who will believe their lies.[3]

 

But Satan hated God first. His goal was to depose the Most High and reign as king. What better way to begin the overthrow than to take from Him those He loves with an everlasting love?[4] Satan has blinded the eyes of the unbelieving, so they cannot see God’s Truth—Jesus Christ.[5] Therefore, they celebrate what God hates and calls an abomination.[6]

 

Contrast these, who have lifted up their heart in pride, with those who love the LORD and obey His commands.[7] We are grieved by our sin-nature and offer to God sacrifices of a broken and contrite or repentant heart.[8] It’s a night and day difference.

 

Remember, the Lord Almighty gave commandments from Mount Sinai. In one, He said, “Honor your father and mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Paul explained in Ephesians, saying this fifth commandment “…is the first commandment with a promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”[9]

 

Isn’t the promise like a legacy—a gift of property, money, or anything handed down from the past?[10] This occurred to me recently when I heard about a family member who loves Jesus. His Christian grandparents purchased a farm in their youth, farmed it, passed it on to their son, and eventually, to their grandson, my family member. Receiving this legacy of land brought joy and independence but also much hard work. Still, the Lord used this land all these years later to bring relief and great blessing. Did his grandparents think of future generations when purchasing? Maybe, maybe not, but God’s unexpected miracle came at the perfect time—a time of desperation and need. He and his family were overwhelmed and awed, falling on their knees in worship. And they continue to praise God for His exceeding, abundant, above all they would have asked for or even thought of, gift.[11] And I’m right there with them.

 

We, in America, have also received a legacy of land with freedom handed down from our God-fearing forefathers. They entrusted their posterity 247 years ago, this July 4^th, to keep their land free from sin and tyranny.[12]

 

But what have we done with it?

 

Our streets are filled with violent, greedy, God-hating people who use His Name as a curse word. Some steal children to make them sex slaves. Others indoctrinate in the schools, confusing youngsters about their gender and causing much mental illness. Deceived by Satan—they deceive—and write laws forcing parents to comply with child mutilation. How evil, how satanic. But that’s what comes from celebrating sin.

 

So, as we who love the LORD prepare to celebrate our LEGACY, our Nation’s 247^th Birthday, PRAY! But still occupy—tell others about Jesus—"be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”[13] Our Blessing—Jesus—is coming soon!

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[1] Isaiah 14:14

[2] Matthew 12:43; Luke 11:24

[3] I Peter 5:8; John 8:44

[4] Jeremiah 31:3

[5] II Corinthians 4:3-4

[6] Leviticus 20:13

[7] Deuteronomy 8:14; Deuteronomy 11:1

[8] Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:17

[9] Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3

[10] Dictionary.com

[11] Ephesians 3:20

[12] The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

[13] Luke 19:13; II Timothy 4:5