Paul's Passing Thoughts

Unfortunately, when thinking about the word, “sin,” our minds focus on things despised by common goodness, however one may define that. Though most rightly assume the Bible primarily addresses the problem of sin, how the Bible frames sin emerges as the dominant theme. In reality, there is no dichotomy between the spiritual and what we experience in everyday life. A dominant theme in the Bible that saturates the reality we live in is that of freedom versus slavery. Primarily, the dominant theme of the Bible is that of two masters; Sin, and Christ.

Sin probably resulted as Satan’s cheap shortcut to be equal with God in regard to authority and power. This is because freewill is a major pillar of metaphysics. Satan figured out a way to be a powerbroker in the universe; be the opposite of God. The Bible states that sin was “found IN Satan.” However, in a Frankenstein-like narrative, Satan creates something that is totally out of his control—Sin ends up being the master.

Sin was created within Satan by his desire to be equal with God, and according to the Bible, Sin is also driven by one fundamental desire: to control and enslave everything. Sin is the antitheses of everything God is. God has authority by virtue of who He is, but His authority isn’t at all applicable to His relationship with man. God relates to mankind thorough a freewill love that travels both ways. No act of love involves a practical prevention of consequences. Indeed, “God loves a cheerful giver.” The fruits of God and Sin are opposite; love, life, and peace versus hate, death, and fear.

Christ comes as an opposing master according to God’s elected plan. The Spirit brings forth life and death in God’s spiritual baptism. Christ came to establish spiritual baptism according to the Father’s promise through the Spirit. Those reborn of God literally die with Christ, and are literally resurrected with Him. That does not fit well with a need to be controlled by spiritual elitists. Yet, spiritual caste reveals itself in the world on every level of existence. Caste saturates our existence. This is because that is what Sin does—it has an insatiable desire to control. In the very first gospel presentation ever in the Bible, God told Cain that Sin stalks humanity and uses unloving actions to gain control over individuals, “but you must control it,” that is, Sin. People, because of Sin, must control others, and the use of sinful acts to do so leads to guilt, and hence, in the same discourse, God says to Cain, “If you do well, your countenance will be lifted up.” In the New Testament, Peter states that, “If you will love life and see long years, keep yourself from evil.” Fear, or some form of anxiety exists in EVERY case of mental illness without exception. There is a reason for that.

Hence, Christ comes as the saving master who has purchased every slave for himself. His yoke is light, He is the good master. All enslaved to Sin are free to leave the Sin master and come into Christ’s household. By calling on His name, they die by the Spirit in the Sin master’s custody, and are resurrected to new life in the Father’s household. If the slaves are rightly informed, they should know that staying in the Sin master’s household is a choice. They have been purchased by the King of kings and Lord of lords. But love does not compel; it beckons. “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

All politics flow from this metaphysical construct. While not joined at the hip with the gospel in every conversation, all of life, as we experience it, is a question of balance between freedom and slavery. Politicians like the Obamas who want to control every aspect of our lives do so because their ideology comes from Sin. At issue is control-lust; presuppositions concerning mankind are merely the excuse. Sin uses caste for its delightful representation of authority and control on every level of life’s existence. The law is also an excuse; that is, how those full of control-lust interpret the law and also legislate it. A proper understanding of man’s ability and the fact that he is created free and wired for specific purposes is the next best thing that brings about peace and justice other than the gospel itself.

And by the way, is the political shaming of America all about using condemnation to control others? Of course it is.

Yes, President Trump is far from being the most likeable individual on the planet, but he understands the ability of mankind and its need to be free. This is the least common denominator that explains why opposition from every corner of the world is upon him with all fury from hell. And even those who understand the issues of collectivism versus individualism feel that they must be honest about Trump’s flaws for the sake of sanctimonious balance and fairness. That’s a big mistake. If a leader understands freedom, and intends to apply it as a primary objective, especially in our day and age, not nurturing that tiny flame while being stranded in the wilderness is utter foolishness.

If America is on a “Ship of Fools,” we better wait to focus on Trump’s shortcomings after the tyrants full of control-lust are thrown overboard. If Trump is one of the few leaders in recent U.S. history willing to do so, and he is, and if a closer position to freedom versus collectivism is paramount, and it is, support for Trump, at least for the present, should be all hands on deck.

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