Stand Fast In The LIBERTY of CHRIST

Consider the words of Patrick Henry's speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses given on

March 23, 1775.

Relate those words that speak of the throne of England, being the chief proponent of slavery and oppression, and all references to 'the enemy' to what the Bible calls "the prince of darkness, and the god of this world" We war not against flesh and blood, but the principalities and spiritual powers of the satanic realm (EPH 6:11-13)!

It may be uncomfortable for many of us to confront the issues and events in which we live, and we would rather turn a blind eye, stick our heads in the sand, pull the blanket over ourselves and retreat to blissful unawareness, but Mr. Henry would admonish us to resist such temptation (refer to his speech in bold print)!!

Yet before you read this speech by Mr. Henry, consider these words from Paul:

GAL 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

As these days proceed, we will witness greater oppression from our government which is supposed to be a servant of the people, rather than an agency that demands slavery from ourselves.

Likewise we will see oppression from The Emergent Church which insists that the atonement of Christ is 'unbiblical', that our righteousness is measured by whatever rituals, meditations, sacramental offerings, social and environmental good we may do.

We must not become entangled in such bondages as these, but stand fast in the liberty that was bought with the insurmountably priceless blood of the Lamb of God! Further, we must recognize that an imperative and crucial line has been drawn: on the one side is the world and all of it's allurements, opportunities, enticements and ambitions - whose very soul reeks of the same rebellion of Lucifer when he cried out in pride "I will . . . " (ISAIAH 14:13-14) and promotes a culture of sin and wickedness, including the spheres of government, economics, societies at large and religion. On the other side is the singular and sanctified Kingdom of God: it's culture of holiness, sanctification, grace and truth. 

LET US NOT, AS CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN FIND OURSELVES ENTHRALLED BY THE EVIL AND TEMPTATIONS OF THIS FALLEN, CURSED, SELF-DESTRUCTING WORLD DESTINED TOWARDS ETERNAL PERDITION. 

LET US NOT 'GO NATIVE' AND ADOPT THIS CULTURE OF CORRUPTION, BUT RATHER REMAIN CHASTE, UNSPOILED, AND WALKING IN PURITY - MADE POSSIBLE ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD! 

LET US REMAIN STEADFASTLY ON THE SIDE OF THE LINE WHERE OUR LORD STANDS - and LET NOTHING - NOTHING COMPEL US TO CROSS THAT LINE IN BETRAYAL OF OUR LORD WHO PURCHASED US WITH HIS OWN BLOOD! LET REJECTION AND PERSECUTION, EVEN MARTYRDOM COME IF IT MAY: WE WILL STAND FAST IN THE LIBERTY OF CHRIST WHO HAS FREED US FROM SIN, DEATH, THIS FALLEN WORLD and HELL!

Now hear Patrick Henry's impassioned speech, profoundly reasoned and utterly sound:

"No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the house. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

"This is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at the truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

"Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the numbers of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it.

"I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?

"Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love?

"Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it?

"Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing.

"We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.

"There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!

"An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

"Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.

"There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston!

"The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Again, to reiterate, these days and the information that is being presented in The MIND of FIRE, the RED PILL CONSORTIUM, and The TRUTH UNDER FIRE are not pleasant subjects necessarily; they are disturbing, worrisome, provocative, even alarming.

But such are the days in which we live! 
To ignore them is fatal. To panic is unwarranted: God is still on the Throne! But we must confront the reality of what we are about to face.

It reminds me of the film The LORD Of The RINGS, where Frodo bemoans the fact that he is burdened with the One Ring of Power, and says to Gandalf:

"I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had ever happened!"

To which Gandalf responds with sagely counsel:

"So do all people who live to see such days, but that is not for them to decide! All they can decide is what to DO with the time that is given to them."

Wise words!

May the LORD Jesus Christ bless you SAINTS . . . WAY TOO MUCH!

Yours in the battle,

Nikaeo Aionios A.V.R.A.S.!

brother James