Personal Update, September 2024 by Koinonia House

This Means War

by Ron Matsen

On Voting and Elections

by Chris Corlett

This Means War

So metimes , I find it hard to understand the thought process people must go through to make their illogical choices. It seems there is a willful disconnect between choice and consequence

Ron Matsen

6 This Means War by Ron Matsen

My blood boils when I witness an unchecked wrong going uncorrected and unpunished. When I hear of people being deceived by those who should know better, my anger fills me like a boiling torrent. If I hear of the ignorant willingly becoming both deaf and dumb, I want to stamp my feet and shout at the top of my lungs. As I helplessly watch the innocent suffer without the opportunity to cry out, I want to do something, anything, to stop their needless agony...

13 On Voting and Elections by Chris Corlett

This article puts the “personal” in Personal Update. Neither a Bible study nor a research paper, I hope to introduce to you, Gracious Reader, my framework and approach regarding voting and elections. Headlines covering elections from around the world regularly populate our news cycle, and in November, votes will be cast to determine the next president of the United States of America. What follows is easily adaptable to whatever elections you vote in, and it also provides what might be described as “flash cards” that are useful in conversations with family and friends...

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MEDITORIAL

DEAR FRIENDS

y blood boils when I witness an unchecked wrong going uncorrected and unpunished. When I hear of people being deceived by those who should know better, my anger fills me like a boiling torrent. In this month’s Personal Update, we discuss the moral and spiritual challenges Christians face in today’s world, where truth and Biblical wisdom are often dismissed. We grapple with the dilemma of whether to fight or flee in response to these challenges, ultimately turning to Biblical teachings that emphasize a spiritual, not physical, battle.

Drawing on the Apostle Paul’s teachings, we urges believers to recognize the spiritual roots of conflicts and to arm themselves with the “armor of God.” Despite the world’s moral decline, we encourage Christians to stand firm in their faith, reflecting the light of the Gospel and trusting in ultimate spiritual victory.

May you continue to trust in the Hope that is in Christ Jesus.

In His Service,

Ron Matsen, co-laborer in Christ

Matsen President, Koinonia House

MCOVER ARTICLE

THIS MEANS WAR

y blood boils when I witness an unchecked wrong going uncorrected and unpunished. When I hear of people being deceived by those who should know better, my anger fills me like a boiling torrent. If I hear of the ignorant willingly becoming both deaf and dumb, I want to stamp my feet and shout at the top of my lungs. As I helplessly watch the innocent suffer without the opportunity to cry out, I want to do something, anything, to stop their needless agony.

We are living in a time when absolute truth is despised and Biblical wisdom is mocked. Hardly a day goes by where I do not observe another attack on the universal moral foundation for all mankind that was set down by God. It is desperate times like this that drive me to take up arms and fight for what is right. But how should I proceed as a Christian?

Ron

Fight or Flight?

When our passion is running hot, we will often limit ourselves to just two reactions: fight or flight. If we feel that we have the necessary means to be victorious, we feel that we must FIGHT to gain the RIGHT. If, on the other hand, we perceive that the outcome of the battle may not be in our favor, we take FLIGHT and flee the face of our adversary.

One might think that Jesus is addressing this dilemma by saying,

“Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.”

Luke 14:31-32

If you take that portion of Scripture in its context, you will see Jesus was actually speaking about the cost of being His disciple.

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:33

In fact, Jesus makes it clear that He does not condone war among men as a means for establishing what is right in the Kingdom of God. When questioned by Pilate at His trial, Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”1

The Deceptions of War

It has been said for millennia, “In war, the first casualty is truth.” 2 In other words, he who is blind in battle will most likely lose. All humanity is embroiled in a war that has been raging since the dawn of time, where man is both the prize and the pawn in this deadly conflict. For mankind, it all began in the Garden of Eden.

1 John 18:36

2 Attributed to the ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ “ Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Genesis 3:1-5

There, we read that the Serpent first challenged and then contradicted the Word of God. He then offered false comfort that would come as the result of their rebellion. Because of the deception that was brought about through the seduction of Adam and Eve by the Nachash (the Hebrew word for “shining one”), mankind was plunged into a war that they did not start. We are told that God cursed the Nachash (later known as Lucifer or Satan), “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”3 Thus, we have the seed plot for the story of humanity’s struggle with evil throughout generations. We still see this three-pronged satanic attack in play today: Question, Contradict, and Comfort.

Knowing Our Weapons

The early apostles knew what it meant to live under the threat of terror and war. During their lifetime, they would have seen many social injustices carried out by their Roman masters. Yet we see time and time again that the instructions given to the disciples of Jesus were to endure hardship for the sake of keeping themselves totally committed to preaching the Gospel. The apostle Paul writes:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Ephesians 6:10-11

Paul told the Corinthian Church that they needed to see the spiritual roots of all conflict. Therefore, he instructed them in this manner:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Knowing Our Enemy

2 Corinthians 10: 3-6

When in the midst of any conflict it is easy to vilify those who represent the opposition. In doing so we run the danger of hating the “sinner” who is committing the sin. This should not be our first response. The apostle Paul reminded the Christians in Ephesus that they were all once members of the opposition.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

Ephesians 2:1-3

Again, Paul instructed Timothy that the real enemy is not a person committing the sin but their captor who is driving them to their own destruction.

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to Paul told the Corinthian Church that they needed to see the spiritual roots of all conflict

teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:22-26

Knowing Our Battle

There is no doubt that we now live in a time when it seems like the world has lost its moral compass and is now groping around in the darkness of depravity. The question then becomes. “How then do we live?” I believe the apostle Peter answered that question by declaring:

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”

1 Peter 2:11-17

In Paul’s last letter to his beloved Timothy, he gives this instruction:

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

2 Timothy 2:1-4

Knowing Our Victory

No matter how dark the world becomes, light cannot be held back by it. Early in the ministry of Jesus He speaks of the importance of standing on truth in a world lost in a lie.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

By the end of His ministry, Jesus promised His disciples that sometimes suffering would be the sign of success. Therefore, Jesus promised persecution.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”

Matthew 10:16-20

In the days that Noah lived, he could not change the direction of the world but faithfully continued to preach for one hundred and twenty years while he built the ark.4 In the days that Lot lived, he could not change the direction of the world but “tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds.”5

Today, we need to understand that we cannot change the direction of the world, but we can stand firm and reflect the glorious light of the Gospel on the world around us. Here, and here alone, is where we are guaranteed victory in the war to end all wars.

4 Genesis 6; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5

5 2 Peter 2:8

By Ron Matsen

Chris Corlett Educator

ARTICLE ON VOTING AND ELECTIONS

In 2004, George W. Bush (Republican) and John Kerry (Democrat) battled to win the presidential election. My senior Calculus class asked me (all my students know I am easily distracted), “Who do you like in the presidential race?” Some seniors were eligible to vote, while others were merely curious. I cast my first vote for a presidential candidate during my senior year in high school. “I pretty much like everybody, and that is not the question you should consider. Instead, prioritize three issues or policies and research the position of each candidate. Whichever candidate most closely aligns with your priorities and positions earns your vote.” The class enthusiastically participated in a conversation using this re-framing of the question.

So what are my (four) priorities? I look to the Bible for guidance and what follows are verses which point to the sort of candidate I can get excited about. None of the following verses specifically or contextually address elections. The system of democracy is absent in the pages of the Bible. Instead, the verses point to what is important to God and so it is important to me.

ISRAEL:

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

Genesis 12:3

God promises a blessing for those who bless the descendants of Abraham, namely the Jews. The Jewish people and the nation of Israel have been heated topics throughout history, and with the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, a new urgency exists. God foretold of these difficult times.

And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

Zechariah 12:3

When casting my vote, I always consider the candidate’s position on the existence of Israel and how to address the scourge of antisemitism that abounds. God promises a blessing on the people and on the nation who first bless the people and the nation of Israel.

LIFE:

Abortion and the death penalty have been unavoidable topics during my entire life. I took Advanced Placement Biology while a senior in high school, and for one week, we turned our classroom into a courtroom. I served as the judge while classmates represented one side or the other of the debate. I grew up when the question was in play rather than the positions firmly set. And while the death penalty is the less ubiquitous of the two issues, headlines and protests over the past fifty years point to a divided electorate on this issue.

Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.

Genesis 9:6

That seems clear enough for me. And while Genesis 12:3 is part of God establishing His covenant with Abram (Abraham), this verse is included in the narrative when God is establishing His covenant with Noah.

These must be important principles for me to consider when deciding on a candidate.

Regarding the death penalty, with advances in forensics (especially DNA testing), many convictions have been overturned. The August 10, 2024 edition of the DAILY NEWS carried the following front-page headline: “FAILED BY JUSTICE: Man free after doing 16 yrs. for slay he didn’t commit.” A sixteen-year incarceration for a crime you did not commit is tragic (although the apostle Paul might see it differently!) Had the man received the death penalty, the matter would be an even greater miscarriage of our justice system.

SEPARATION OF POWERS:

The United States Constitution establishes three co-equal and independent branches of government. My high school civics class explained it thus:

• The Legislative Branch makes the laws

• The Executive Branch enforces the laws

• The Judicial Branch interprets the laws

I hardly recognize this in today’s American politics, but it nonetheless makes sense. No branch or, party or individual holds all the power. For nearly 250 years, no dictator reigned from Washington DC. Fascinating to watch are the struggles all politicians face when trying to follow through on campaign promises or to achieve agendas. And while I have no evidence that the fathers of this tripartite system relied on the following verse, they certainly could have.

For the Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us.

Isaiah 33:22

God hints at the three functions of governing, of which He is the only One qualified!

HOLINESS AND JUSTICE

I think I heard a couple of “yups” and even an “amen” during the previous sections. This final section is the verse that seems to trip up everybody. Malachi closes the Old Testament canon and writes:

And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness against sorcerers, against adulterers, against perjurers, against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, and against those who turn away an alien— Because they do not fear Me,” says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:5

Everybody finds something in this verse they like and something of which they are not so fond. Such is the duality of holiness and justice. One side is eager to address the future of the sinner, while the other side only sees the need of today. God seems concerned with both. The liveliest political conversations come from this verse. Is there a candidate who stands for the moral truth of the Bible while also addressing the situation of the worker, the needy, and the stranger? That is a tough one, and when I find such a candidate, I will be eager to give my support.

CONCLUSION

God’s people have survived the Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, Herod, Nero, Hitler and will survive today’s politicians. A few passages for your consideration.

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright. Save, Lord! May the King answer us when we call.

Psalm 20:7-9

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:1-3

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Philippians 3:20-21

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for HE IS LORD OF LORDS AND KING OF KINGS; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 17:14

I hope this article provides both perspective and encouragement. The author invites your comments at chrisc@khouse.org.

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Personal Update, September 2024

This Means War

On Voting and Elections

CONTENTS

This Means War

6 This Means War by Ron Matsen

Acts 17:11

A Koinonia House Connection Event

U.S. Venue

International Venues

MEDITORIAL

DEAR FRIENDS

MCOVER ARTICLE

THIS MEANS WAR

Fight or Flight?

The Deceptions of War

Knowing Our Weapons

Knowing Our Enemy

Knowing Our Battle

Knowing Our Victory

ARTICLE ON VOTING AND ELECTIONS

ISRAEL:

LIFE:

SEPARATION OF POWERS:

HOLINESS AND JUSTICE

CONCLUSION

TOPICAL STUDY

Twilight's Last Gleaming

COMMENTARY DVD COLLECTION!

The Complete New Testament Commentary Collection

Other Topical Studies

K-HOUSE STATEMENT OF FAITH

KOINONIA…

Articles inside

ON VOTING AND ELECTIONS

THIS MEANS WAR