It seems everyone wants to point out how the millennial generation is horrible. Well folks, I’m a millennial but I don’t like to be grouped with that stereotype. This society as a whole has become intolerant of others and show contempt.
I’m so thankful for all the freedoms that we have in the U.S. I’m thankful to all the brave men and women who have sacrificed for our freedoms we celebrate today. I’m thankful for those that continue to fight for our freedom and pray for them daily. But I need to get this off my chest.
Many seem to abhor the current President and are highly disrespectful on social media outlets. It seems many weren’t taught how to be tolerant and give honor to whom honor is due. Our culture is making a scary shift that isn’t just all on the millennials. It stems back through several decades.
[Give] respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:7-8 ESV
If we aren’t careful, the U.S. is going to become so lawless and carefree that there are no boundaries to what is right or wrong. You know I totally get the statement “to each his own” but forcing and demanding things is not freedom. There’s a right time, a right place, and a right way of doing things. But being demanding is now how you get things done. Being intolerant isn’t either.
I’m so thankful for all the freedoms that we have in the U.S. but it does cause worry looking into our future. The society we live in is degrading rapidly. I’m not calling you to be in fear but prayer instead. We all need to pray daily for our country, our leaders and do our part to let our voices be heard.
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered on behalf of all men for kings and all those in authority, so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
So what does Jesus say about this issue?
“Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:17-21 ESV
Did Jesus fully agree with Caesar’s methods and leadership? No, not at all. Did Jesus rebel against Caesar? No, He didn’t. You see Jesus was revolutionary but He was not rebellious. God won’t ever call us to live outside of scripture because we don’t like something.
Aren’t we followers of Christ so shouldn’t we follow Jesus’ example? We are different from the majority of the world. We don’t believe in living rebelliously. God has boundaries in place to protect us, our loved ones, and our future. Every time I’ve stepped out of the boundaries or will of God, bad things have happened. It may not come instantaneously but it comes nonetheless. And the consequences suck.
Jesus speaking again says in John 12:46-48: “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.”
We haven’t been called to judge the world either so we need to be careful not to. It’s easy to turn up our noses by nature but Jesus calls us to love instead. Jesus wants us to love the outcasts, help the poor, defend the innocent, and to be a light in this dark world. We can’t do all these things when we’re stuck on ourselves and being rebellious in ANY area the contradicts scripture.
“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 ESV
A Prayer For You
Jesus thank You for coming into this world to save all who call on Your name. Show me how to be a light in this dark world. Please be with all leaders around the world and guide them in all truth and wisdom. Draw my nation and others around the world back to You Father. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven. In Jesus’ name amen.