This very special sandwich, reminded me of something I tried yesterday- SPAM!!! But, not just any SPAM- it was SPAM LIGHT!!! I was surprised to learn that in Weight-Watcher points it wasn't too bad (56grams or 2 oz. was only three points). I made it go a long way by cutting it up into small pieces and cooking it with my usual Cajun home fries. But, I am using this picture today because of what it is called - "A politician burger"!!! It is fried Bologna, with gooey soft scrambled egg and cheese with a toasted buttermilk biscuit. Now the picture reminded me of all the Political turmoil that has occurred lately and that made me think of freedom. I have very strong feelings about being free and have enormous doubts about whether America can even be classified as a free nation any more; let alone a truly democratic one. The leading scriptures that came to mind are listed below and they are worth both your time and reflection....
Galatians, Chapter 3
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brothers, speaking of human terms, though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been confirmed, no one makes it void, or adds to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn’t say, “To seeds”, as of many, but as of one, “To your seed”, which is Christ. 17 Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.
19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22 But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise.
19 What then is the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom the promise has been made. It was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could make alive, most certainly righteousness would have been of the law. 22 But the Scriptures imprisoned all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, confined for the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise.
James, Chapter 1
19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom, and continues, not being a hearer who forgets, but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.
1 Corinthians, Chapter 7
18 Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called being a bondservant? Don’t let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. 22 For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord’s free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ’s bondservant. 23 You were bought with a price. Don’t become bondservants of men. 24 Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.
Rules, regulations, ordinances, and the like have become commonplace in America today, but they fail to compare with all the requirements of the LAW. I am told that there were 613 of them, which equalled the sum of the days of the year and the number of bones in the human body. Even if the actual number was even somewhat close to this (remember, the Jews began to think of oral traditions and traditions of the elders as being equal to Scripture) then the intrusion into daily life was truly significant!!!! Christianity is radically different from Judaism, in that it is founded on grace and Christians are basically free from being treated as children through the LAW. So, for me, an ever increasing bureaucracy that has become "The American Way" is like me being forced to eat a "Politician Burger" on a daily basis. Our government has partially shut down; this is both a fact and an opportunity. The fact is inescapable, but the opportunity is wonderful. If enough of us really decided to change things, we still have the power to do so. Reflect a moment on the passages I selected and especially the last highlighted one. If you are given freedom, whether Spiritual or temporal, use that freedom to glorify God!!! As for me, as long as I can still share my thoughts in this venue; I will proclaim that God should not be taken as lightly as this country has recently done. He has blessed us over and over and far too many of us choose to exist on "Politician Burgers". I don't know about you, but I am getting sick of all the Baloney!!!!!