I often look at quotes. I find them encouraging, worrisome, and humorous; as well as, informative and challenging. As I came across a quote by Anne Frank, I experienced a sense of appreciation for God's creation and all of its parts both known and unknown by me. She wrote,
"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy."
I believe she was correct. There is still a tremendous amount of beauty in this world. What is remarkable is that a young Jewish teenage wrote this hiding in an attic trying to avoid arrest by the Nazi's. She would later become a victim of the atrocities committed by Germany against the Jews. Anne Frank died from typhus while a prisoner. Sadly, it was just a few weeks before that prison camp was liberated from German control.
Another of her quotes tell us,
"In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit."
When you take the time to research the author and their background you often discover more thought provoking ideas. Reading further, I found Frank's quotes came from her diary. Not only did the diary contain quotes, but it also gave challenging thoughts.
The Nazi's had advanced and occupied the Netherlands which is where Frank and her family had fled to for safety. Eventually, she was taken prisoner and placed in a camp of which only her father had survived. Her is a diary entry,
"After May 1940, the good times were few and far between; first there was the war, then the capitulation and then the arrival of the Germans, which is when the trouble started for the Jews."
Here you have a basic account of how her death came about. First, there was the war, in and of itself a tragic event. Then there was the capitulation...wait, what? That's where it got me. In 1940, something happened to give her persecutors a foothold against the Jews, Germany, and the surrounding area. They, the people, had slowly capitulated and finally threw in the towel. They had bowed down and ceased to resist. Simply put, they gave up.
Well, that launched me in to thinking about our nation, our churches, and me. Many people understand capitulation from a financial aspect. Its when investors throw in the towel after their stock has hit rock bottom. They give up. They see no advantage to be gained by throwing good money in after bad. I get it a little; not much, because I do not play the stocks. However, I did lose some investments after the fall of the tech market in the 70's. It hurts for sure and left me wondering what to do next.
I am not addressing financial capitulation. I am referring to the collapse of the will of people. This comes about by an increased pressure applied by an invading force. In a world filled with hate and deceit in countless forms, our nation is capitulating, bowing down to multiple invading forces. They are rallied against our well-being. All of these forces are pitted against the freedoms enjoyed by our nation. Sure, there are many things wrong with the USA. As it is not the purpose of this post, I will not try to list them. We can read about them on every news outlet via newspapers, internet, and television. It is difficult to endure without feeling like throwing in the towel. As Christians, we can and must pray for God's grace and intercession into our affairs as a nation.
Then, there is the church. She, the church (the bride of Christ) has declined in numbers and relationship with God over the years due to capitulation. We have given in to the world culture and Satan's push for control over our churches. There are countless books and other publications written without concern for God's will or kingdom work. To be fair, some are written out of ignorance or innocence. However, many are written because the author is seeking personal popularity and financial success. The body of Christ is failing, by giving in to this agenda. Once again, many are read by Christians out of ignorance and innocence, failing to remember that the truth is found in Scripture.
I have only pointed to a few things regarding capitulation. Germany capitulated to the rule of Hitler and the Nazi's resulting in the slaughter of over six million Jews, as well as, other negative impacts in the world. The United States is capitulating to worldly forces who are demanding us to give in to practices prohibited by our constitution. You can think about what they are by using the Ten Commandments as your guide. After all, despite many objections to the contrary, our constitution is at the very least, influenced by them. Why? Because each of the Ten Commandments cover every relationship between God and man, as well as, between man and man; without exception. Think of any situation and it will be addressed by the Ten Commandments.
So, why am I writing this? I am looking at my life with the question, "Am I capitulating as a Christian?" I mean, is my life, in each of its aspects, giving into the world at the cost of moving further away from Christ? This covers physical, financial, and spiritual aspects. Am I doing things in my physical life that are bowing to self in lieu of concern for the will of God? For example, my life made a one-hundred-eighty degree turn when I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. However, I still have this problem with eating. It is a constant struggle at best. I give into cookies, bread, candy, desserts; well, you get the idea.
Am I capitulating, giving in, or bowing down to my own self? It's an easy answer in that I cannot deny it. It is also a difficult answer in that, well, I cannot deny it. I can say I am capitulating because Galatians 5:22-23 tells us,
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
It is that last one, self-control. It gets me every time I see a cookie. Food is only one example. There is failure to exercise even at a modicum, failure to drink enough water, and failure with drinking too much coffee, failure to care for my body as a whole....
Financial covers giving to the ministries of the church, giving of my time and even possessions to help others. But it is the spiritual aspect that seems the most insidious to me. It encompasses what I read, what and who I listen to, what I let cross my eyes on the television, internet, and movies. Where it challenges me, most is what I watch. By that I mean, what kind of movies and television I watch.
My wife and I have chosen to avoid viewing any "R" rated movies. At the time of our commitment, "R" movies included sex, language, and violence. Since that time, it has become increasingly apparent, almost all if not every movie has some of these aspects in them. Hollywood has become obsessed with using every foul word in their movies up to and including taking Jesus Christ's name in vain. For some reason, they (whoever they are) camp out on the idea that a movie can only be successful if the characters cuss with every other word. Sadly, this is now being seen in television as well.
Then there is the degradation of lyrics about God, women, children, and things that are not holy. Just think of what the music industry has turned in to over recent years. Yet, Christian parents are letting their children listen to them and are even singing along with them because the beats are good. But the messages are tearing our Christian families to pieces right before our eyes and denegrating what God has established as sacred.
I also recognize the possibility and potential for me to forego studying the Word of God at the expense of my spiritual growth. Being constantly drawn to divide my time, I know its a gift from God causing me to question if I am using it wisely as He would have me use it. Why is reading and studying the Bible important?
“Bible study is the most essential ingredient in the believer’s spiritual life, because it is only in study of the Bible as that is blessed by the Holy Spirit that Christians hear Christ and discover what it means to follow Him.” — James Montgomery Boice
“The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.” ― Charles C. Ryrie
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
"Listen, my son: accept my words, and you’ll live a long, long time. I have directed you in the way of wisdom, and I have led you along straight paths. When you walk, your step will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go! Guard wisdom, because she is your life!" Proverbs 4:10-13
"Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17
To conclude, this post is a challenge to me, you, the church, and the nation to not capitulate to any forces trying to steer us away from God. To the church, this post is written to encourage it to hold on to God and His Word with an unbreakable grip, keeping Jesus Christ as its Lord and King and to turn away from what we know does not glorify God. I am writing to every reader to challenge you. If you follow Christ, then hold on to him tightly. If you are not a follower of Christ, seek him with all of your might. You won't be sorry.
I would only add the final forming of a Christian's character lies in their pursuit of and obedience to Jesus Christ.
DO NOT THROW IN THE TOWEL!
Wear Jesus Well,
Blessings,
Steve
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