Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | 2 Timothy 3:5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 3:5 holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. |
Subject: Do you think US has these people? |
Bible Note: Good evening Nolan, Very well said! It is not that I have a leading to abandon the United States...and like you...I am doing what I can do to change hearts with the help and grace of God. It is just that our self righteousness, as a nation, has been laid upon my heart very heavy. What I mean is, (and it is very hard to use constructive critisim on this issue without sounding like a trader or communist or nut case or something...I'm not doing a good job here), but what I mean is...well this new sense of forceful pride that we are seeing coming out of our nations tragedies. I see it as kind of...well, a snake...waiting to turn on us and devour. Please, let me try to explain. On one hand, the fact that we all have come together is very good. I think the terrorist attacks came as a much need wake up call and caused many to reconsider their priorities. Which is all good. I see another element taking effect here that concerns me deeply. We seem to becoming a more forceful, powermongering kind of people. And we are labeling it with titles like, 'good' and 'justice'. I truly believe that we (speaking generally) are really enjoying these attacks and bombings. We are enjoying war! Listen...My son is in the Air Force. And I am very proud of him. I feel as though we are contributing greatly to this cause. In all honesty, I could pay a very high price and my son...the ultimate price. I have him in God's hands, but God's will may be different than mine, ya' know? I am not afraid...but deeply concerned that he is partaking in something that is becoming very sinister. When this all started, I cautiously and soberly hung my flags out to show my support for my country and my son. But as time went by, and I listened closely to our government officials and to people at work and family and neighbors and my son...I realized that we are just taking to much pleasure in this violence and chaos. I mean everyone, including the blue haired lady across the street is practically parading and chanting..."kill 'em, kill 'em...yaaa!" While they wave their flags high. Every bubba in the nation has the American flag on one side of their truck and "kill the s-o-b's" on the other...speeding through town, slinging beer cans and shouting yahoo! I mean, this is suppose to be about "justice" and what is right....issued by a peaceable, Christian founded nation. And while that is all still being professed, I see underneath that is not really the case anymore. Now the American flag is a bit tainted to me. It no longer stands for all the things it use to stand for...to me. It is becoming something else. When I see the flag now, I wonder if like the majority seems...that person is so filled with anger and pride and revenge, they even have thought of how God might want us to deal with all this or a care of the death that will arise. Maybe it is like they all say and we must do away with him...although just writing that caused me some uncomfortablness...but should killing be so...joyful? I don't think taking someones life should be a pleasurable experience. Do you? I mean, would right hearts actually take pleasure in the fact that another human being, a creation of God must be killed? Please don't mistake that for a sympathy for Bin Ladin or his out fit or causes. But more a sympathy for mankind. And we are operating out of this...place, that I have described...and presenting ourselves like we are the purest people on the earth! I am deeply saddened by the death of our enemy and very, very saddened by the fact that our young men and women may loose theirs in the process. I really do believe that all we need to do is turn to God. He will take care of it. We can trust Him...and should He bellow down from heaven, "GO TO WAR"...than so be it. I do not feel like parades or waving flags around in celebration or even bragging up our country. I am ashamed of it in some ways. I am a native American. My grandfather was born on a Cherokee Indian reservation. And while the blood line has been removed a couple times..my roots are here on this land, and this land a part of my body. I don't know that there is a point to this. I just maybe needed to express it all. I have taken my flags down from my mail box and porch. And the ones in my heart are at half mast. I hope you understand. coop1 |