God and the Great Race Debate

by Tom Russell, Truth In Christ Ministry

What does the God have to say about the subject? Christians are confronted on all sides regarding the issue of race.  So much of the national daily discourse is devoted to this extremely contentious subject.  What are we to believe?

The term “race” has come to be used to designate genetic differences in skin color.  Many might be surprised to learn there is not a single example in the bible where a qualitative distinction is made based on the subject.  In fact, we find only one passage that speaks with certainty about genetic skin color,

Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?  Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.

In the passage God expresses no more issue with the color of an Ethiopian than He did the spots on a leopard’s pelt.  Rather, the implication from the Hebrew language is that the sin of those who had become disciples of evil was as certain and unchangeable as a physical trait.   

Simply put, God created a man and woman and all people are their descendants,

Genesis 1:26-27 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;  male and female he created them.

Baseless Objections

Some argue that we see a division of races in the account of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, but there is nothing in the passage to suggest it.  Rather, we see a division of people based on different languages miraculously applied to them by God.

Others object to bi-racial marriage based on God’s judgment of His people in Ezra 9 and 10 but the chapters clearly reveal that the issue was related to nationality and religion, not genetic composition. (Note: 9:1, 10:18, 44)

Again, to be perfectly clear, all men and women are descendants of the first man and woman created by God (Genesis 1:26, 27), and God nowhere in His word makes a qualitative distinction based on the genetic traits of any people, and of course neither should we.

Truly, all would benefit from being as colorblind as God and children are.

May the demons know your name!

By Tom Russell                                            

You might think that is a strange thing to hope for someone, but bear with me.

While in the city of Ephesus the Apostle Paul performed many miracles including the casting out of evil spirits.  Seven sons of a Jewish High Priest named Sceva attempted to do the same.  The result of their efforts was quite different than Paul’s. “But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”  (Acts 19:15-17)

My point is the demons did not fear pretenders, but they knew and feared Christ and His followers.  Some might object that we aren’t Paul, and of course that is true, however, do we not have the inspired scriptures of God that we may be “competent, equipped for every good work?” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Did not Paul say that the “weapons of our warfare” are of “divine power” and that “we destroy ever lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ?” (2 Corinthians 10:4, 5)

Why should we be fearful of Satan when Christ has already defeated him through His power and resurrection?  I think people have spent time watching demonic horror flicks and have come to believe the “fake news” that Satan somehow has the power to enslave a faithful heart.  Hogwash!

Yes, the devil does “stalk about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour,” and just recently Satanists displayed his visage at the Arkansas capital building (more on this in a later article), but God says that if we will submit to Him and resist Satan through faith that he will flee from us (1 Peter 5:8, 9 James 4:7) and God has never lied.  Think about it, did the Heavenly Father send His Son to battle and crush Satan to then leave us unprotected on the battlefield?  Of course not!

God has provided us with the perfect armor with which to defeat the schemes of Satan.  The armor includes a “shield of faith with which we can extinguish all the fiery darts of the evil one!”  The question is, are we willing to pick it up and put it on!?!

Paul encouraged Timothy to “fan the flame of God’s gift,” “for God gave us not a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control!” (2 Timothy 1:6, 8)

Yes, Satan exists and with his utterly vicious followers he constantly strives to exploit, attack, and defeat the righteous. 

We cannot bind our morality on others!

by Tom Russell

TRUE or FALSE!

An elder once told me, “You know we can’t bind our morality on others.”  He was stating this as a general principle, and he was mistaken.  Make no mistake, it is not a question of, “Will some group impose its moral standards on everyone?”  No, the question is whose moral standard will be imposed?

“Morality” is simply the standard of right and wrong adhered to by an individual or group.  Every individual and group has one, and they will naturally promote it. This promotion, or imposition, is done through reasonable persuasion, or through the use of force or threat of force.

Ironically, quite often those who argue most ferociously against this truth are not only exercising it in their argumentation, but commonly abandon reason and attempt to use the “guns of government” to enforce their particular moral code.  For instance, every lawsuit filed against a Christian baker, florist, or wedding photographer to force them to sacrifice their time, labor, and resources in supporting a homosexual union is an attempt to force them to conform to the standard of right and wrong, or morality, of those filing the suit.  In this example, the homosexual is attempting to bind his moral standard on the Christian by forcing his involvement, and in fighting the suit the Christian is morally resisting that imposition.  A man’s time, labor, and resources, are his “life, liberty, and happiness”, and are sacrosanct.  To take them by force is theft and enslavement.  By the way, it would be just as wrong for the Christian to use the “guns of government” to force a homosexual baker to bake a cake with 1 Corinthians 6:9 written on it.

Christians should work to impose a moral standard of fairness!

Note the following,

Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 3 For though we (Christians) walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

If Christ has all authority, then all must submit to the social standards He established. 

What are those “moral standards”?

Luke 6:31 “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Romans 13:8-10 “8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”

From this we can see that all must treat one another fairly.  These standards are not unique to Christianity, and in fact, the implication of Romans 2:14-15 is that they are “written upon the hearts” of all men.  We see this, that everyone wants to be treated with fairness and compassion; therefore, everyone must be fair and compassionate in their treatment of others.

This moral standard established by Christ relies on the use of reason to persuade, and the use of force only to prevent the abuse of force.

Yes, Christians within their sphere of influence, should work with zeal, commitment, and certainty, to appropriately bind the moral standard of fairness demanded by the circumstances. 

By Tom Russell

There has never been a time when accusations of wrongdoing were more prevalent.  The accusations of “racism”, “fascism”, etc. are becoming so common that one would think the charges would be meaningless, but that isn’t how it works.  The old adage, “If you tell a lie often enough it becomes the truth.” is true.  Regrettably, if you throw enough mud some of it is bound to stick. 

What are the faithful to believe?  As always we must follow the Lord’s will, and God has clearly communicated His requirements related to making and receiving accusations against another.

Note God’s requirement!

Deuteronomy 19:15-21 15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. 16 If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, 17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. 18 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. 20 And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you. 21 Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

We find this requirement for witnesses in place throughout God’s word.  For instance, Matthew 18:16,     2 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Timothy 5:19, and Hebrews 10:28 all demonstrate the same requirement that for an accusation to be received/accepted there MUST be a plurality of witnesses.

An example

Let’s consider the accusations made by Christine Ford against Judge Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court Nomination Hearing.  Ford has stated that Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in the 1980s when she was 15 and he was 17, and that the assault occurred at a house party where those present had been drinking alcohol.  Ford alleges that she, Kavanaugh, and another friend, Mark Judge, were in a bedroom when Kavanaugh attacked her, yet both Kavanaugh and Judge deny that it ever happened.  Ford has presented no other witnesses, or physical evidence, i.e. security video, audio recordings, etc. that would enable others to serve as witnesses to the alleged attack.

What is a fair-minded person to believe in such a case?  We must remember that the burden of proof is on the accuser and we must believe in the innocence of the accused (1 Corinthians 13:7) until sustainable proof has been presented. 

Simply put, it is wrong to MAKE or RECEIVE a charge of wrongdoing that hasn’t been confirmed by witnesses!

www.truthinchristministry.com / [email protected]

God, The Christian, and Self Defense

by Tom Russell

Yes, you can and should defend yourself!

The author wrestled mightily with this subject in his youth.  Regrettably the counsel I was offered by ministers with decades of experience ranged from uncertainty to ridiculously mistaken.  This important subject is not terribly complex if we consider it in light of God’s word and not preconceived notions concerning Christianity.  A great deal of the confusion has been produced by the translators of the King James version of the bible mistranslating Exodus 20:13 to read “Thou shalt not kill”, when the correct translation is “You shall not murder.” Murder involves the taking of human life without just cause, whereas it is recorded in the bible that many righteous men and women “killed” the wicked in defense self, their nation, or in executing justice.

By the way, deadly force is that force that may cause death or serious bodily injury. 

The Responsibility of Protecting Innocent Human Life

We see early in the biblical record God’s requirement that the righteous protect the innocent.  Note: Psalms 82:4 “Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”, and also, Proverbs 24:11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. 

In the New Testament we see that the Lord had temporarily suspended the apostle’s responsibility to provide for their physical needs, including self-defense, but at the end of His ministry, and just prior to His crucifixion He reinstitutes these duties.

“35 And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” (Lk 9:3-4) So they said, “Nothing.” 36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” 38 So they said, “Lord, look, here are two swords.” And He said to them, “It is enough.”                                                            Luke 22:35-38

The Lord is making this statement to His disciples moments before His betrayal by Judas.  He is informing His disciples that they will not enjoy the same degree of providential provision and protection after His death as they have in the past.  He is also informing them that they will have a much greater responsibility in providing for their needs and protection to the extent that they should take their money bag, knapsack, and obtain a sword so that they might protect themselves.  In this context the “sword” is a protective instrument of deadly force and served the same purpose as any defensive weapon, including firearms, today.  Some have argued that the Lord must have been speaking figuratively, but there is absolutely nothing in the passage that indicates this.

But what about the Lord’s statement “all who take the sword will perish by the sword”?

“51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, s-truck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”                                                                     Matthew 26:51-52

 The same evening the Lord gave the directive recorded by Luke (22:35-38) Judas arrived with the mob to take Jesus into custody.  Peter drew his sword and cut the ear off of Malchus, the High Priest’s servant, the Lord immediately made the statement, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”  This statement does not contradict Luke 22:35-38, for in Luke the Lord was addressing the issue of self-defense whereas this incident has to do with the sword, i.e… the martial arm, being used to prevent the execution of God’s will regarding the crucifixion of Christ.  We must remember that though the crucifixion of Jesus was carried out by evil men, it was in accordance with the will of the Father.  John 3:16 “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.  Peter, though acting sincerely, was in reality opposing the will of God in the action he took.

Mission Statement

Truth in Christ Ministry is driven to consider contemporary issues and needs in light of God’s word, reason and principle.  We hope you will find our efforts are worthy and helpful.  Please feel free to share this content and if you would like to support our efforts simply go to www.truthinchristministry.com and click on the Donate button.  “A little or a lot” is greatly appreciated and insures we are able to continue investing ourselves in the battle to save souls, lives, marriages, and perhaps our nation as well.

Is it a Child, or Something Less? What does God say?

By Tom Russell

Regarding abortion, many people emphasize a woman’s “right to choose”, that “it’s not a child”, that “it is a child, but its rights are inferior to those of the mother’s etc.  Friends, if God exists, and all scripture is “God-breathed” and provides for all good works (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) then does it not behoove us to look to scripture to determine the morality of an issue as prominent and divisive as abortion? 

As we will see in this short article, God speaks clearly concerning the child in the womb.  He speaks of His role in the creation of the child, that He knows the child, reveals that children in the womb are aware, and that they are to have the same lawful protection from abuse that adults do.   

By inspiration the King David not only speaks beautifully of his personhood in the womb, but that God made him there!

“13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for        me, when as yet there were none of them.” Psalms 139:13-16

Jeremiah and Isaiah were consecrated, appointed, and named while in the womb!

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”       Jeremiah 1:5

“Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar.   The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.” Isaiah 49:1

John the Baptist was cognizant in the womb!

“And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,”         Luke 1:41

Here the Holy Spirit states that the “baby leaped in her womb”.  That child of course was John the Baptizer.  The word “baby” is derived from the Greek word “brephos” and is used of the child in the womb and one that has been born, an infant.  The angel told the shepherds, “And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe (brephos) wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”  Luke 2:12, Also used in 2:16, 2 Timothy 3:15

Does God consider the life of a preborn child as equal to that of an adult?  Yes, He does!  Consider Exodus 21:22-25 22 “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” We see that

God applies the same judgment and punishment to a man who brings about the injury or death of a pre-born child as He does to one who maliciously hurts or kills a man. 

From these biblical truths we see that God created a perfectly designed system to bring about the conception of a child in the womb.  Also, during this period, He provides a greater level of direct provision than at any other time of life, and the child in the womb enjoys the same legal protection that every human being does.  All things considered, the question is not “Is it a Child, or Something Less”.  It most certainly is a child, but is it actually something more, for no one enjoys greater provision and protection than that small, beautiful human being in the womb.

Mission Statement

Truth in Christ Ministry is driven to consider contemporary issues and needs in light of God’s word, reason and principle.  We hope you will find our efforts are worthy and helpful.  Please feel free to share this content and if you would like to support our efforts simply go to www.truthinchristministry.com and click on the Donate button.  “A little or a lot” is greatly appreciated and insures we are able to continue investing ourselves in the battle to save souls, lives, marriages, and perhaps our nation as well.