DeSoto County Newsroom.com

Southaven,MS

By: Michael Upchurch

Counterfeits of Christian Principles

Have you noticed the World seems to counterfeit the principles of the kingdom of the Lord? Welfare programs, tolerance for the LGBT Community, illegal immigrant support; these are among the platforms the political Left and it’s liberal minded members like to showcase as the foundations of their political doctrine. And they proudly showcase them as being done in the name of love. They are, however, counterfeits of the doctrines of Jesus Christ and His love.

They tout Welfare for example, as having compassion for those trapped in poverty. And yes, it is certainly compassionate to be in empathy with those struggling. But I’d rather help anyone in poverty rise above it, instead of giving them aid while keeping them chained to it. It is a counterfeit love to me when it seems they desire the poor to stay poor as a way to maintain their voter rolls. They strive during election cycles to keep the poor ever mindful that it’s their programs that support them, and those of us on the political Right are the ones who would like to take those programs away. To be honest, I don’t want the programs to end for those who need them, nor do my conservative friends, but I would also like to see programs in place that give everyone that is able a chance to work and provide for themselves. Socialist programs aren’t sustainable if less than 50% of the population is working and paying taxes. The money will run out. It’s a touchy subject for liberals, but reduce tax burdens for Businesses and that will free up capital for more hiring. I don’t want anyone to stay in poverty, but certain government programs seem to encourage just that. Why should anyone work when the Government will support them? Using my money, I might add. It’s a counterfeit compassion when you don’t do anything to get them out of poverty, but rather enable them to stay poor for your political benefit.

Tolerance is another area where the Left is counterfeiting the biblical principle of being compassionate and loving everyone. According to the Left, we are to be tolerant of those wishing to have sexual relations with members of their own sex. We are to be tolerant of those who choose to modify or amend the gender designs of the Heavenly Father, as though He made a mistake. Tolerance is not the stand I choose, but I rather choose to have compassion for their state of mind and their soul, wanting them to find Christ and the supernatural help He offers in turning their lives back around. There are people that I dearly love in that lifestyle and I don’t want them punished. I don’t want to see anyone punished. I want us all to live life to its fullest and to be happy. But that doesn’t mean I bless them and offer them approval in their choice. I want more for them. There are testimonies of people living homosexual lifestyles who have been ‘delivered’ from that bondage (simply Google the topic). Which to me poses the question “how can you be restored to a heterosexual mindset if you were born homosexual?” But that’s just me wondering. I firmly believe that if a person is being held prisoner by demonic forces, they can certainly be set free. It’s staggering to me the number of men and women in lay Ministry or full time Ministry who have children living the LGBT life. I don’t think it’s coincidence. My opinion is it’s the work of Satan hellbent on destroying the loved ones of those who’ve chosen to serve his enemy God.

While you might say it’s just pure love that the Gay community exhibits, many times there is a dark perversion to that lifestyle. That is not godly. That is not representing Christ. That is living out the desires of the flesh. I believe they can be set free if they choose. Unfortunately, the Left is determined to celebrate them, rather than seeing them set free. They refer to them as brave and regard them as heroes, rather than finding ways to get them help. Again, done so in the interest of offering them a political home in exchange for their votes. They’re expressing a counterfeit of biblical love by celebrating lifestyles which are diametrically opposed to biblical principles. You might say “Pastor Mike, the Bible is outdated and doesn’t really apply anymore.” If that is the case, I should indeed be sad, for I have spent my adult life following those principles. I have chosen to die to my own fleshly desires instead of living any way that I choose. If you’re right and God has changed His mind regarding homosexuality and our living of sinful lives in other ways, then I’ll take my beating on judgement day and be in remorse for having passed up opportunities to party and really “live” as the world does. But if I’m right, then others who differ might get a beating! And in truth it will be far worse than a beating; it will be eternal separation from God and all things good! I choose to err on the side of biblical principles. To each his own I suppose, but there are verses I’d like to point out…..

“But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.
That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents.
They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:18-21, 24, 26-30, 32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Again, I choose to live my life adhering to biblical principles. You might further question whether or not the New Testament portion of the Bible speaks out against homosexuality. Look at Paul’s warning to the church of Corinth…..

“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:9-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

That’s pretty black and white. And the reference is made that some WERE practicing homosexuality, but were cleansed and made right with God. There was a repentance. You can’t repent unless you turn away from immorality. But I’m sure others will argue those points. You’ll have to argue with the Lord though, as I’m just a messenger.

If you choose not to live your life in line with the Bible, then that’s your free will choice, but don’t ask me to be tolerant if I don’t agree with you. You might further argue that you don’t feel the Gay community ‘hates’. Well, simply ask them about President Trump and their feelings toward him. Chilling answers will come forth.

Illegal immigration is another volatile hotbed issue in our Society. The Left demands that we have compassion for those wishing to enter our country illegally. They demand we pay for their services from our tax dollars. Illegals are given welfare, housing, medical care, etc. at the expense of taxpayers. San Francisco is permitting illegal aliens to vote this November in School Board elections. That is a counterfeit display of love. Their hidden agenda is to add to their voter roles to ensure they stay in power. So what is the right thing to do? Find ways to help them enter legally and become productive American citizens. That is Christ centered compassion. Help them achieve a better life in this great Nation as a legal
Immigrant. If you’re helping them escape poverty and political oppression in their own Country and helping them become citizens in America, where they will have opportunities to prosper and be free, that to me is displaying Christ’s love. Anything less is counterfeit love! Why? Because it’s against the law to enter the Country illegally. Why would you promote an agenda and enable people in ways that break the laws of our land? Trump’s proposed Wall, which the left despises, will have doors, and all may enter freely through them and into legal citizenship!

Well, I’m certain I’ve offended some of you, and I’m sorry if you’re offended. I’m not sorry for what I write, just sorry if it offends you. You are free to think as you want, but so am I. But I pray you will choose to operate in true biblically-aligned Christ centered love, and not a counterfeit love. The truth is, helping humanity can give you a “feel good feeling” while here on earth. But that may be the extent of your reward. Helping people through biblical principles by lifting them up out of their situations rather than keeping them mired down, and doing so in the name of Jesus, can give you rewards beyond this life. Which begs the question “Do you want rewards just in this life, or for all eternity?” There are, after all, eternal rewards as well as eternal consequences for your choices.

And that’s the way I see it!

Pastor Mike