Walking the Point

posted by Writer on Aug 4

During a recent conversation with a pastor friend the talk turned to the question Jesus posed to the cripple at the Bethesda pool: ‘Do you want to get better?’ (See John 5:1-15).

My friend said he studied further to learn the meaning of the word want, and discovered that one translation from the Greek defined it as determination. So the question is; Did the man really have the desire to be healed?

For that to occur, he had to obey what Christ prescribed (v. 8).

(The central theme of this story is Jesus Christ reaching out to a man who had no hope of recovery. If Christ doesn’t make the first move and initiate contact, then this guy may have died where he lay. It’s a picture of humanity in our fallen nature, unable to do anything until we “look to Him.” (1)

The beauty of this story, and many others, is that Christ comes looking for those in a helpless condition. It is a picture of mercy and redemption, because Bethesda means ‘house of mercy’ (See v. 14-16). (2)  By the way, the US Naval Hospital is located in Bethesda, Maryland).

I couldn’t shake the word determined and thought how it has application for us today. But before you roll your eyes and move on to something else, permit me to delve further.

Our culture is infected with the diease of sin that is destroying us from within. The root cause is because we have no fear of God or respect for His Word.

Like the man at the pool, unless we look to God for His intervention America as we know it, will cease to exist. Lawlessness is prevalent (See link to Dan Henniger’s Wall Street Journal article below), officials at all levels want control over our lives (something Mark Levin calls a ‘soft tyranny’) while they’re unable to govern theirs.

We’re told Al Qaeda is on the run, yet we’ve closed embassies across the globe today because of threats. Why? Our standing and influence throughout the world has diminished, while we’re being fed lies that the unemployment rate has dropped. Conduct that would have caused us to hang our heads in shame years ago, is now considered normal (Isaiah 5:20).

These crisis’, many of which are manufactured, are orchestrated in order for us to look to the government for solutions.

Scripture tells us, “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34), and while millions of Christians are praying for revival, that’s all they’ve done. In some circles, they’ve been told that’s all they need to do.

The question posed to our dear brother can also be asked of you; Do you have the resolve, the determination, the desire, to do what it takes to turn America around?  Or are you just going to lay there and wait for elitists step all over you?

Time to do a gut check and examine whether or not have you the character to act so our nation doesn’t crumble. This is a great nation, one that has been blessed above all others. We know all that!

But, do you have the hunger in your soul that previous generations did and those fighting now possess, to keep it that way?

I’m talking to men, because women have carried the load long enough while we’ve been immersed making a living. What I see at this juncture, is that God may be kicking out all of the supports from underneath us until we learn to lean on Him alone.

I was very impressed with the insight my friend has been given to discern scripture. However, when I asked how he felt about applying it to our current situation, he indicated that all he wanted to do is live the rest of His life for Christ, and to have his life identify with His.

While this is noble, sincere and good, ‘it ain’t gonna cut it’ and alleviate the threats now facing us and the next generation.

Hopefully it’s not too late for Christian men to make a stand and as Finney exhorted, to take the high ground.

If we wish to remain free then its up to us, not politicians or lobbyists, to see to it.

This isn’t a job for wimps, but I strongly suspect many don’t have it in them to guard the “sacred fire of Liberty,” because they enjoy comfort too much. (3)

http://online.wsj.com/article/wonder_land.html

(1) McGee, J.Vernon, Thru the Bible, Volume IV (Matthew-Romans) p. 395; (2) Ibid; (3) George Washington’s Inaugural Address April 30, 1789. Note: Painting #3 is by artist Don Troiani entitled LExington Green.