General Services Administration people involved in extreme expenses on pretense of a "conference" in Las Vegas, Secret Service and military people involved in excessive drinking/prostitute partying in Columbia before Mr. Obama's visit, etc. Somehow the expression, "only the tip of the iceberg," comes to mind to those who are highly distrustful of the present functioning of the federal government of the United States. --- a myriad of media news sourcesThe little bunny who beats on the drum for a well known battery is a fitting example with what has been breaking loose these days in Washington DC. He just keeps going and going and so do the scandals at the federal government level!
One can be greatly nauseated upon hearing the feeble apologies given by some who were involved in such shenanigans as the so-called "conference" at Las Vegas. The skeptic (and there are many) tends to wonder -- are they really sorry for what they did or more sorry that they got caught and may just lose their jobs with all those plus perks, salaries, and retirement benefits that the average citizen cannot really comprehend?
Alas, I digress a bit. What is the real reason for such happenings that seem to be accelerating at a faster pace than a race driver in the Indy 500 who holds the pole position? Earlier the subtitle mentioned "An Authoritative Explanation." No, I am not the authority, but I am personally acquainted with the One Who provides the explantion and He is the final Authority on everything that has to do with our human existence, relationships, responsibility, and final destiny! His name is Jesus Christ, God revealed in human form as He paid a personal visit to this world about 2,000 years ago. A world which He created by spoken command a long, long time ago!
First, all humans are born into this world with a corrupted sinful nature which is in rebellion against God -- we are basically inclined to turn our backs on God and to go about doing whatever it is we feel inclined to do without the least consideration as to what God wants and expects of us! Take an honest look at what God has to say about this:
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9, 10).As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all gone out of the way; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:10-18).
And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." (Mark 7:20-23).
Second, this unregenerate human nature expresses itself by concentrating on the self and in pursuit of deceptive and often destructive "pleasures" as well as material gains: e.g. U. S. Secret Service agents and some military personnel with their drinking/prostitute party in a 5 star hotel in Columbia, General Services Administration personnel and their very excessive and lavish spending spree at what was professed to be a "conference' in Las Vegas, and certain members of Congress enriching themselves through "insider information" which if done by one of us, the S.E.C. would hang us from the nearest oak! This latter scandal which does not seem to make the media news circuits is well documented in "Throw Them All Out" by Peter Schweitzer (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Pub. Co. 2011). Take an honest look at what God has to say about this:
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17).
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13, 14).
Third, God has provided the cure for this universal problem by giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the perfect and exclusive sacrifice for the sins of every person born into this world throughout the entire history of the human race! Take an honest look at what God has to say about this:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18).For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), (Galatians 3:13).
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God........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.(Romans 5:1, 2; 8:1, 2).
Fourth, upon condition of sincere repentance from sin and receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord into one's life, one is "born again" -- our human nature is miraculously transformed wherein one's focus is no longer on self and destructive pursuits in life, but rather on pleasing God and seeking to fulfill the wonderful plan for our lives. A fringe "benefit" is living with the assured hope of a future place in His Kingdom forever! Take an honest look at what God has to say about this:
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" (John 3:3-7).Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesias 2:1-7).
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matthew 25:21).
Conclusion: God has made available to us a special revelation known as the Bible. It provides us with all the information necessary to understand the problem of our sinful nature and what God has done to cure this disaster which causes us to be at odds with Him. However there are major barriers standing in the way of experiencing God's life changing miracle!
1. A majority of U. S. citizens, including elected officials, are not really interested in seriously reading/studying the Bible on a day by day basis.
2. Disbelief regarding the integrity of the Bible is found in many places starting within the ranks of those who profess to be "Christian" in their faith. Professors in seminaries, church leaders, and pastors whose skepticism concerning the truths revealed in Scripture has infected not a small number of laity who sit in church pews! It is a bit like a cancer out of control.
3. And there are those who may believe that the Bible indeed does "tell like it is" but refuse to accept it and conform to the demands it places upon each individual!
Since the evidence is overwhelming that the majority chose to be a part of the fulfillment of 2 Timothy 3 (cited above), then it is obvious that the scandals coming out of Washington DC and in many other places as well will continue. That is, those that persons in powerful positions are unable to conceal from public scrutiny!
But there is good news in the midst of this flood of bad news -- Jesus is going to return to this sin saturated world and establish His Kingdom. Centuries ago it was foretold by the prophet Isaiah: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." (Isaiah 9:6, 7).
And how about this out of the book of The Revelation? "Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'" (Revelation 11:15).
Now then, how about hitching your wagon to that star and sleeping on that tonight? Pleasant dreams!
April 19, 2012
Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection
Western PA Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
and presently pastor of
Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Gipsy, PA
AND Non-Affiliated registered voter, Cambria Co. PA
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Galatians 6:7, 8 NKJV
A Significant Selah Moment!
O LORD, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? even cry out to You, "Violence!" And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, and cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; there is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore perverse judgment proceeds.
Habakkuk 1:2-2 (NKJV)
copyrighted by The Center for Bio-Ethical
Reform and is used with these folks' permission. You can visit them at