Friday, March 18, 2022

Declare

The choices we make should ideally reflect who we are in Christ. If we say we love Him and are His disciples, then, in the power of the Spirit, our actions should line up. Paul addressed this in Galatians chapter 6:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 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.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

I would say that we can be empowered by the Spirit to do good and that can produce internal joy and strength because we have done what pleases our Savior.  Each day, we have the opportunity to sow to the Spirit or sow to the flesh, and God provides direction in His Word and the motivation to obey Him. Our actions should reflect the presence of the indwelling Christ, who will direct our steps and energize our minds and hearts.

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We can make our decisions based on the principles of God's Word. The Bible offers us incredible direction, and in Romans 8, we can read these words:
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

She played the original "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in the movie, not the television series.  And, over the past few years, she has taken on an assortment of enemies in our culture.  Actress Kristy Swanson is a professing Christian, and is being featured in a new streaming series called, Sons of Thunder: Redemption.

According to Movieguide, Swanson appreciates PureFlix offering options for entertainment content, stating in a Fox News Digital interview:

“I think there could be more of a balance, you know? I mean, look, I’m 52. I grew up watching family-friendly shows like LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE and THE WALTONS,” she explained. “But I also watched ALL IN THE FAMILY. And even then, the message was clear on the show, which was how not to behave. There was more of a balance, and the message was always clear. Things have definitely changed over time.”

“I’m really glad we have a streaming service like Pure Flix where it offers more family-friendly programming. And look, I’m an actor and I make movies, but I don’t like horror or scary stuff,” she continued. “I’m not really into that. If my son and husband are watching that, I’ll go do laundry or something. I know it’s all art and as someone watching, you can pick and choose what you want to watch. But I also appreciate the fact that there are options out there.”

This option, Sons of Thunder: Redemption, according to Movieguide, is a 6-episode series in which "...the show’s focal character, Jacob Lewis, sets out to show and tell his life-changing conversion to Christ, experienced during a Texas prison sentence. Upon his release from prison, and simultaneous escape from his former membership in a notorious motorcycle club, The Devil’s Hand, Jacob rides off to California on his Harley to start a life of this second chance Jesus has given him. First thing on his bucket list? Asking forgiveness and making amends of the person he had emotionally hurt the most before his sentencing, Sandy Harding."

In an Instagram post several years ago, Swanson made this declaration:

...my goal in life is to take upon me HIS name and always remember him and keep his commandments. It makes me happy and brings me peace and joy. That is why this bothers me.....

On the "Today Show", Matt Lauer interviewed one of the wives of one of the Navy Seals killed along with the US ambassador in Libya. He asked what she would say to her children about their dad and how she would want them to remember him. Her answer, and I quote, "His love for Christ", and then continued on with a few other things. Throughout the day and on MSN homepage, replaying the story, they have edited the "Love of Christ" part out. Why? Because using the word Christ might offend someone! Well, I am a Christian and I am offended! I'm offended that they would edit it out. Offended that we as Christians are asked to tread lightly so as not to offend someone of another religion. This man loved his country and loved his God and gave his life for both, just as Christ gave His life for him.

This Founding Principle is actually embedded in our Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

I hope every Christian who is offended will copy this and paste it to their status.....

She also included a quote from former President Ronald Reagan, "If we ever forget that we're one nation under GOD, then we will be a nation gone under."

In mulling over these aspects of the story, I think one thing stands out: Do not "edit" Christ from your life.  In Romans 1, Paul declared that he was not ashamed of the gospel.  Perhaps it can be challenging sometimes to boldly declare our faith, but when God is at work in our hearts, His nature is on display, and we can exhibit His love and share His truth.  We should be sensitive and look for ways in which we can interject the reality of Christ into our lives consistently.

We can be certain to live in a manner that gives testimony to His name.  Each of us has been given a story, a testimony, if you will, of what He has done in our lives. That is reality and can be a real component of the way we interact with others.  And, our choices, including our entertainment choices, can reflect our devotion to Christ. 

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