I have come back as Joan after many years to write from this platform because of the division and brewing anarchy in our nation. I chose Joan of Arc years ago as my alias because she was unwavering in commitment, courageous in perseverance, and sacrificed unto death for a cause.
As a Christian I am desirous that I will be unwavering in my commitment to Christ, courageous in the persevering through changing times and that I will remain faithful unto death. Lately, I have also been challenged by Jesus words in the sixth chapter of Luke.
Beginning at verse 27-
27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. 30 Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. 31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you.
32 “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! 34 And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
35 “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. 36 You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.
37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.[c]”
39 Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? 40 Students[d] are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.
41 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye[e] when you have a log in your own? 42 How can you think of saying, ‘Friend,[f] let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
Supporters of the Pro Life platform--please listen. These words were spoken during the reign of one of the most tyrannical and corrupt governments in history. NO WHERE are we called to change the structures created by man. The early Christians were well known for their commitment and love toward each other and for their generosity toward everyone else. They cared for the people no one else cared for like widows and orphans. They submitted to the rulers unto death while singing their Saviors praises. Their testimony to the world was consistent with that of the God they served who LOVED and GAVE so we who believe would have everlasting life.
If Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world, then why should we?
I believe in the sanctity of human life, ALL LIFE. Let's take an honest look at the political platforms many are supporting and be honest. What are we doing to care for the lives of the poor, the needy, the broken, the sick, those in prison. If we used the funds raised to fight politically to do good in the world, how would that be different? If we accepted the Samaritans of our time with the grace and love Christ demonstrated, how would the world be different.
Remember-the government of heaven has one Ruler who has declared there is no male, no female, no slave, no free, no Jew, no gentile but that all are created equal. If there is to be peace on earth, let it start with those who know the Prince of Peace. Let it begin with us.