Seismic Blasting Off NC Coast

I have tremendous concerns over the possibility of seismic testing or seismic airgun blasting being done off the North Carolina coast. Seismic airgun blasting is done in search of oil/gas. I do not see anything positive coming about from this process.

North Carolina has one of the most unique and diverse marine eco-systems found anywhere. Our waters are either home to or visited by an array of mammals such as dolphins and whales and highly migratory species such as sharks and tunas.

“Seismic blasting” is a controversial technique using air guns to explore and map offshore oil and gas reserves deep beneath the ocean floor. They are towed behind ships, shooting loud blasts of compressed air deep into the seabed. These blasts can be repeated every 10 seconds for days to weeks at a time.” H/T Raleigh News and Observer.

These blasts have the potential to possibly change migration patterns, harm, and even kill fish and mammals.

North Carolina’s number one industry is tourism. The coast is the number one vacation and relocation destination. Fishing is forever blended into the North Carolina coastal life and livelihood. 

Commercial fishing has always been part and parcel of our coast. Recreational fishing is now part of that heritage too. With fishing came other industries such as a multi-billion dollar coastal real estate business, major universities and science, boat building, motion picture and entertainment, food and hospitality industry, the US military and so much more.

But the cornerstone and foundation of the waters off North Carolina has always been commercial fishing.

Please keep in mind the significance of the Atlantic Ocean and what it means to the state and the country. Anything that could jeopardize what has been built over the centuries must be closely examined and weighed.

We must ask simple questions. What is the impact or potential impact of seismic airgun blasting? What are the environmental effects? What impact or potential impact can these blasts have on specific species? What is the range of impact? Will fish and mammals be affected 50 miles away? 500 miles away? 5,000 miles away?

What peer reviewed research is available for us to make a determination? Is it adequate or does more research on seismic testing need to be done? As mentioned earlier, coastal North Carolina is unique, will we suffer unique effects from the testing?

The big question is this. What would be the over-all impact to North Carolina by birthing a new oil and gas industry? Barring the extreme of some oil leak into the ocean, what impact would a thriving oil and gas industry have on North Carolina’s native industries? How will it affect coastal tourism? Commercial and recreational fishing? Real estate sales, property values and tax base? In short, will seismic testing and the oil and gas industry supplant, replace or damage our native and historical industries?

North Carolina, what do you want to be? The traditional home of fishing, boating and serene coastal living? Or do you want to industrialize and become more akin to our northern cities and ports? Oil and gas will take priority, the environment will change to suit it. As it stands now the pristine coastal environment is our industry. Do you want to change that?

These are a few of my concerns. What are yours? Please post below. Also post any peer reviewed research/data you may be aware of. I know it’s often hard to separate fact from fiction, but I’m not interested in reading propaganda from either a pro or con advocacy group.

Bill Hitchcock

Mercy Not Sacrifice

"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings." (Hosea 6:6)

What is more pleasing to God? A ritual between you and him? Or showing kindness and gentleness (Mercy) to our fellow man?

Which does God prefer? That we strive to know and understand Him, or being faithful to an obligatory ceremony?

God is more, “pleased with acts of benevolence and kindness than with a mere external compliance with the duties of religion.” (Albert Barnes)

“God prefers an act of mercy, shown to the necessitous, to any act of religious worship to which the person might be called at that time. Both are good; but the former is the greater good, and should be done in preference to the other” (Adam Clarke).

When the Pharisees inquired as to why Jesus sat and ate with the publicans and sinners He said, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick….I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Matthew 9:12-13).

We are to love God and love our neighbor as our self (Matthew 22:37-39). That love for others is made manifest in the mercy, kindness and gentleness we show them. This is the sacrifice that God prefers. This is the sacrifice that honors God most. This sacrifice reaches out beyond self to the edification and comfort of others in the name of God.

Bill Hitchcock

The Leftist Quiver

When the left fails in the arena of ideas, precept or principle they resort to violence, (or the threat of violence), the judicial system, pacifism or appeasement. This is everything in their quiver.

The leftist ideal never stands on principle or precept because it can’t. Leftist ideas crumble because they can’t take the weight of reality and truth. Some other support system must sustain them. For example socialism, the great leftist dream society. Reality and truth crushes socialism every time. It doesn’t work. So the leftist solution is to unfairly tax and govern groups of people of their choosing so as to feed and support their political idea. Socialism never evolves, it is forced. Socialism never maintains or sustains itself, it takes what it wants, when it wants and has a standing army to enforce its actions.

It is mandatory that socialism to have a standing army and a secret police, otherwise it would soon crumble and fall.

When the tables are turned, the leftist resort to pacifism or appeasement. Iran is a prime example. Obama gave them $150 billion in cash (on pallets none the less) and prizes. Bill Clinton did the same with North Korea, allowing them to become a nuclear powerhouse.

Gay marriage is a good example of how the left utilized the judicial system to force their ideas on the American people. Over 30 states put gay marriage on the ballot and allowed the citizens to vote on whether or not to allow it. Every state, including California voted NO to gay marriage. It took the left through the court system to change the will of the people to allow gay marriage.

The left cannot win in the arena of ideas, precept or principle. They must resort to violence, the threat of violence, the judicial system, pacifism or appeasement.

In my opinion true leftism is sin. Why? Well, let’s judge the tree by its fruit. Leftist advocate rebellion, violence, hate, racism, abortion, homosexuality and gay marriage, choose government over God, in fact in the leftist utopia the one true God does not exist.

Need I continue?

The left blew past the boiling point after the last presidential election. We’ve seen the lid rattling on the pot, but haven’t seen the full, rolling boiling water yet. My fear is that the left is about to get violent, physically violent and this is going to happen sooner rather than later.

Bill Hitchcock

Order The World

“O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word, And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made, And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart” (Wisdom of Solomon 9:1-3)

The world, its being and existence is according to, “equity and righteousness”. These attributes of God are this world’s natural state.

Carnal man thinks of paradise as an earthly place, full of beautiful and perfect things. But paradise is the beauty and perfection of God. Paradise is equity and righteousness and the judgment of an upright spirit. Only fallen man and his sin soaked soul would think of paradise in earthly terms.

Our lot is the Lord, our lot is equity and righteousness, judgment and an upright spirit. Love can only come from these things and nothing else.

Bill Hitchcock

Rebellion

“An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him” (Proverbs 17:11).

With current events in mind, I just can’t get past the first half of the above proverb. Evil seeks ONLY rebellion. Look around. Who is advocating rebellion? Who is inciting and instigating it? Understand that evil, the spirit of antichrist is at work. Just like how a dog barks, and a duck quacks, evil must rebel.

This is a spiritual battle, holy warfare. Do not think it is anything else. When you see rebellion, see the devil.

Bill Hitchcock

Make Us A King To Judge Us Like All The Nations

To all of my liberal, progressive, democratic socialist, socialist, communist, more government friends. Let’s go back to the future and read history as it is presently unfolding. Your story has been told already and you’re really not going to like how it ends up.

You think you are escaping the evil hand of oppression? Oh, no. Quite the opposite. Not only are you inviting it, and growing it, but you are putting the shackles of tyranny on yourself.

“And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.

And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 

Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: 

- He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

- And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

- And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

- And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

- And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

- And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

- And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day.

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city. (1 Samuel 8:5-22)

Socialism and communism and all sorts of dominions, governments and tyrannical kingdoms have been tried and tried again. First they give, or promise to give, but always end up taking everything. 

It all boils down to a simple choice. God or government. Who do you want to have dominion? One always fails. 

Bill Hitchcock

Of All The Presidents

Of all the presidents during my life time, I liked the politics and policies of Obama least of all. But I still prayed for him every single day he was in office. I am doing the same for President Trump too. Would like to know what I pray for and why?

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

The Apostle Paul made it crystal clear. We are to pray for kings and all that are in authority. We are to pray for peace and quiet as well as godliness and honesty. God finds this acceptable and pleasing.

Peace and quiet. Godliness and honesty. Pray for that. Not just for yourself, but for the president and all of the country. Wanting the country to fail because you do not like the president is beyond being selfish and morally wrong. It is a sin. 

Television host Bill Maher hoped for a “crashing economy” and said, “please, bring on the recession” so as to get rid of the president. Maher hates the president so much that he wants the entire country to fail just to see Trump go. Unbelievable!

We currently have elected federal officials doing the exact opposite of what pleases God. Congresswoman Maxine Waters is calling for violence and rebellion against the president and his staff. She is inciting and inflaming an evil spirit in an attempt to cause an uprising and overthrow our government.

God wants peace and quiet. Godliness and honesty. The devil wants nothing but to rebel, kill, steal and destroy. Think about that the next time you see Waters, Mahers or any of the demonic leftist progressives advocating terror against the president or ill will towards this country.

Bill Hitchcock

The Answer That May Surprise You

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:33-35)

Who shall accuse us? Who shall condemn us? Who shall separate us from Christ? The answer may surprise you.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:28-31)

God knew each of us before the creation of the universe and everything in it. God designed a course of action for us to take. It was the path of righteousness, the way to salvation. God knew that man would fall and He planned his avenue of escape.

God knew that if fallen man was left to his own devices that he would fail. So God called. God’s chosen, the elect would hear and respond to His call. Those who did respond God would justify and glorify through His Son Jesus Christ.

Now, let’s go back to the answer that, “may surprise you”. Do you know who will accuse, condemn and separate you from Christ? It’s only one person who can do it. Give up?

It’s you.

Jesus said, “I have chosen you” (John 15:16). You have been chosen by God, your pathway of redemption and salvation made clear. God has called you and quickened your Spirit. The devil and death have been defeated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a done deal.

But you have to respond. You have to accept. You have to do and be.

You are a child of God. You will be confronted by tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and the sword, but you will not be defeated by them.

Only you can defeat you.

“For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” (Ezekiel 18:32)

Bill Hitchcock

Free Course

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

Look what Paul is asking the Thessalonians to pray for. He is asking them to pray for God’s word to have “free course” or literally translated, to “run freely” and for God’s word to be glorified, exalted, celebrated and magnified.

Paul is asking for free speech, to let God’s word be spoken unhindered in public and in private. No separation of church and state, no speech zones on college campuses or safe spaces, no monitoring or censorship, no ban on religion. Paul just wants God’s word, like any other word, to be able to be spoken freely.

Paul is also asking for the word of God to be respected and treated as such; as divine, holy, and wonderful; recognizing and understanding that this word is coming from the one, true, God!

And what is the one thing Paul mentions that will stop the “free course” of the word of God? It is, “unreasonable and wicked men”.

Man. It is man who will attempt to stop God. It is man who is the soul/sole stumbling block. Of course, this is all due to man’s inner self and allowing the devil in to work sin.

How will man attempt to stop the word of God? Simple, he’ll become offended. Man will place his feelings over God’s truth, his rights over God’s sovereignty.

The word “unreasonable” comes from the Greek word “topos” meaning “place”, or in this context “out of place”. (Ex: Topos is the root in the word “topography”, a reference to the study and description of 3 dimensional features of the earth’s surface.)

Isn’t it interesting how Paul describes wicked men as being out of place?

Paul also reminds us that not all men have faith and belief in God. This is a good reminder simply because we tend to forget this. One reason why is because there is no single identity, origin or characteristic of a Christian. There is no mold in which a Christian is poured from. White, black, yellow, red, tall, short, fat, skinny, male, female, Asian, European, Spanish, African, physically fit or handicapped……it doesn’t matter. There is no “A-Typical” Christian.

Christianity is not about where we are from. Christianity is about where we are going, and readying our self and others for the final destination. So, it can be easy to forget that not everyone believes in God because there are no physical markers to identify a Christian, only spiritual ones.

Later in 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul tells us what to do with these, “unreasonable and wicked men”.

“Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (2 Thessalonians 3:6).

Note that this is a commandment, not a suggestion. You can’t get more definitive than that. We are commanded to withdraw, abstain, to depart from ungodly and unholy people. Do not engage!

Paul repeats this command BUT adds something that we all desperately need to remember.

“And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).

In today’s environment if you disagree with someone on any subject it is understood that you hate them and anyone like them. God’s word is called “hate speech” because it disagrees with the sins and whims of “every brother that walketh disorderly” and “unreasonable and wicked men”. If you disagree with someone then you are called a racist, a homophobe, misogynistic or anything off of a long laundry list of hateful names. The accusation of hate has the effect of shutting down and shutting up everyone except, of course, the actual hater.

But Paul is explicit; “Yet count him not as an enemy”. The word “enemy” comes from the Greek “echthros” which denotes hate or being odious. A Christian is never to hate anyone. Ever! Manifested hate or love is an indication of what condition that person’s spirit and soul is in.

Paul adds that we are to admonish them “as a brother”. Admonish means to warn, but to warn them of what? The consequence of their ways. Why? Because as a child of God we do not want to see anyone burn in Hell. We are not to hate the unreasonable and the wicked, we are to pray for their salvation. We are to admonish them with the word of God, not with how we think or how we feel. In actuality, the admonishment is a life ring in an attempt to save a soul from drowning in the lake of fire.

Our goal and purpose here on this earth is to prevent anyone and everyone from Hell. There are no do-overs. We can only do this through the communication of God’s love and His word to everyone, not just to the folks we know and like.

Finally, after all is said and done, if the disorderly, unreasonable and wicked continue in their evil ways, depart from them. Do not associate with, nor engage, in anything with them.

“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Proverbs 4:14-15).

Bill Hitchcock

The Three-Fifths Clause

The Three-Fifths Clause Did Not Say Blacks Were 3/5’s Of A Person.

“Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.” - ARTICLE I, SECTION 2, CLAUSE 3

The Three-Fifths Clause did NOT say black folks were 3/5’s of a person. The three-fifths clause was a method of determining representation and taxation for the individual states. The method used was to count all of the free people, exclude Indians not taxed, but only include 3/5 of all the slaves counted. Many from the north did not want to count slaves at all.

“…Northern delegates resisted counting slaves at all.” H/T The Heritage Foundation.

Notice that the 3/5’s rule applies to slaves, not black folks. Not all slaves were black. Not all slave owners were white.

The Three-Fifths Clause was about the federal government’s ability to tax people and its attempt to control the number of representatives each state could have. 

Tripe Of Life

The tripe of life. I really do not know how to react to it other than through Christ. In the past, I’ve made fun of it. Attacked it. Numbed it. Ignore it. Denied it. Parodied, satirized, lampooned, and mimicked it. All of which, of course, was to no avail. All I accomplished was to apply a Band-Aid to a dead body.

The tripe of life will always be, as long as we are in this life. But who is of this life anyway?

To be the tomorrow and forever, right now! And having the patience to wait for it to come.

“The heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to”. Ah, this “mortal coil”.

Bill Hitchcock

That’s Not What The Preacher Told You, Is It?

"Why did you accept Christ? He is your Savior, but of what? Your financial mess or your soul? Is Christ in your life to save the day, or eternity? Christ has chosen you, but have you chosen Him? Or have you chosen what He can do for you?"

Jesus Christ and the word of God will, not might, but will, change your life forever. But this change does not necessarily mean you’ll be “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound”.  That only applies to the man in tights with the big “S” embroidered on his chest.

The change in your life might not be in an instant either. There may not be a blinding flash of light, no great revelation, the singing angels nor instant insights to the mysteries of the universe.

Yeah, I know. That’s not what the preacher told you, is it? A lot of preachers preach instant prosperity and gain as the benefit of Christ. Prosperity preachers don’t just preach financial and material gain, often it is power, supernatural power that is advocated. They preach that with this supernatural power you will be able to solve all of your worldly woes and overcome every adversity in life. Kneel, pray and be instantly empowered! “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13) is a favorite verse they like to quote.

And don’t you just feel terrible when after you’ve committed your life to Christ and have prayed a thousand prayers, that there was no blinding flash of light, no surge of energy or great power? When it’s all said and done, all there is, is just you. There was no miraculous change. Even after baptism, the only thing you experienced was wet. Being all wet feeling is how you’re starting to feel about religion too!

You feel let down. Maybe question this whole Christian thing? Maybe felt like the reason why nothing happened is because you weren’t good enough or possibly have done something wrong. After all, you’re a miserable sinner, right?

Here’s the reality of the situation. The promise from God isn’t that you will overcome all the problems in your life. The promise is that you will overcome the problem that IS this life. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Stop looking at the gold at the end of the 100 meter dash. Start looking at the rest and living waters at the end of the cross country marathon.

And that line prosperity preachers like to say about God will never give you anything you can’t handle is pure bunk. If that were the case then there would be no need for God because, well, you could handle everything on your own.

Christ isn’t interested in your strength and certainly doesn’t want to make your strength stronger. Why? Because our strength is actually our weakness. Jesus is interested in you understanding that. He is also interested in you turning to Him for strength.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It’s about the power of Christ, not the power of you.

We face problems in life. These problems are the “fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). But our struggle isn’t with the darts, it’s with the devil. Focusing on the darts (the problems) is a big mistake. The devil wants us distracted by the darts. He wants you to go to God and ask for earthly solutions to solve these worldly problems. This takes your eyes off the prize of pressing, “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

The devil diverts our attention away from God with his fiery darts. We foolishly ask God for earthly solutions to these devilish dilemmas. The darts (problems) are the effect of the cause. The cause is the devil. If you don’t do something about the devil in your life then you will never be able to do anything about the darts in your life. The devil wants you down in the trenches in the thick of the battle. Jesus wants you to rise above it all and come to Him.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:7-8A).

The prosperity preachers are offering Jesus as the quick solution to the devil’s fiery darts and not as the permanent solution of escaping the fires of Hell through Jesus Christ as our Savior. Don’t focus on the darts or even the devil. Stay locked in on Christ.

Jesus did not say He came to solve our earthly problems. Jesus Christ did say, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Jesus promised three things.

1. Peace. He didn’t necessarily promise problem resolution. You can be knee deep in trouble and turmoil and still have peace. Jesus made it very clear. It’s all about peace.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

2. Tribulation. Jesus said that in this world you WILL have tribulation. He didn’t say might, maybe or could possibly. He said you will. But what exactly is Jesus talking about? That answer lays in the spiritual, not the present day natural world. Tribulation means pressure and is a reference to spiritual pressure and turmoil, not financial, societal or any earthly ordeal. Tribulation is manifested in the likes of oppression, affliction, and distress on your soul, not your wallet. Think about it. You can have peace under financial difficulties. But if all is not well with your soul, then there will be no peace, nowhere at anytime.

3. Overcome. Jesus says be of good cheer, (be happy), for He has overcome the world. Again, this is a spiritual reference, not necessarily a statement of earthly affairs.

Overcoming, as far as you and I are concerned involves those who hold, “fast their faith (In Christ) even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions” (Strong’s).

Overcoming doesn’t necessarily involve material, earthly matters. Overcoming is a spiritual matter.

The primary message of the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation is dedicated to, “Him that overcometh” and the benefit that Jesus will give to those who do. It’s all about spiritually overcoming this life, not divine intervention of an earthly problem.

Knowing this the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

The armor of God is not some divinely ordained armament to wear or wield. To put on the armor of God means to get in to Christ. You in Him, He in you. Christ is your covering, your armor.

God does not want us to get caught up and entangled with this world. And that is exactly what we are doing if we treat Christ as some type of spiritual “fixer”. God wants us to let go of this earthly turmoil and have faith in Him for now and the world to come.

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:31-33).

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin… But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself.” Read Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-32.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy explains it best.

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (2 Timothy 2:3-5).

This life is a war, a spiritual war and we are the Christ-like soldiers battling it.

Paul is telling us to endure the fight as a “good soldier” of Christ. Paul makes it crystal clear that no man that “warreth” or participates in this holy battle, will engage and participate with the affairs of this life. In other words, don’t get caught up in fighting the earthly battles, the fiery darts. This is exactly what the devil wants you to do. The devil wants you to put your nose to the grindstone to make more money, so you can buy more stuff and get further in debt. The devil wants you to seek comfort in alcohol, drugs and illicit affairs. He wants you to take short cuts to money and success. The devil wants to convince you that happiness is in a selfie posted on Facebook, bragging about all the places you’ve been and things that you have done. The new car, the new house, the new relationship………..No! Do not engage in the earthly battle. Fight the good fight of faith! Grab ahold of and fight for the holy life eternal!

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6: 10-12).

Think about what these prosperity preachers are offering. Their claim and allure is that Jesus Christ will solve your earthly problems. Jesus didn’t promise that. He did promise us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

We are travelers and sojourners here on earth. This earth is the residence of the devil, where we once, “walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2)

Do not misinterpret what is being said. Has God performed earthly miracles? Yes? Does God still perform miracles in people’s lives? Most certainly! But this isn’t about miracles. This is about purpose and intent. Why did you accept Christ? He is your Savior, but of what? Your financial mess or your soul? Is Christ in your life to save the day, or eternity? Christ has chosen you, but have you chosen Him? Or have you chosen what He can do for you?

FAITH

It’s all about faith. It is not faith if all you are doing is pledging allegiance and expressing gratitude to the one who gives you (Or hopefully, wishfully might give you) stuff and that solves your earthly problems. If goodies and problem resolution are what you are after, then you don’t need Christ. There are plenty of politicians and governments to worship and follow that will happily supply you with these things in abundance.

So what do we “get” by accepting Jesus Christ as our savior?

“The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him” (Lamentations 3:24)

“The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot” (Psalm 16:5).

We get God, not goodies. We get an eternity with the Father, creator of all things. He is truth and perfection.

Bill Hitchcock

Crystal Coast Real Estate Market Report

Very Positive. Conditions not seen in almost 15 years!

This market report was completed June 21, 2018. It covers a time period from current, past 30 days and past 6 months. Although very detailed, this report is also clear, concise and brief. It is also extremely encouraging because we are experiencing positive market conditions not seen in almost 15 years.

CURRENT

There are currently 1,059 single family, residential properties on the market listed as “For Sale” in the Carteret County Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The average time on market for sale (not sold) for these listed homes is 197 days.

The average price for the listed properties is $406, 386. The highest priced listed home is $3,199,000 and the lowest list priced home is $39,000.

SUPPLY OF INVENTORY

There is currently a 5.5 month supply of inventory available on the market. What this means is that if no new inventory came on the market to sell, it would take 5.5 months to sell off all of the existing inventory. It is a key matrix to watch in a real estate market place.

The 5.5 month supply is significant. The Carteret County area has not seen inventory this low in almost 15 years. Approximately 8-10 years ago Carteret County had a 3 year supply of inventory.

A 6-7 month supply is considered to be a normal, stable market. Anything under this is considered to be a seller’s market while anything over is thought to be a buyer’s market.

Y-T-D COMPARISON

Comparing 2018 year to date market activity to 2017 we see some interesting differences. In 2018 homes sales are up by 3.1% compared to 2017, but the average sold price is down 3.7%. Although the average sold price is down this year, in contrast, the average list price is up 6.5%

The good news for home sellers is that inventory is down 6.4% this year over last year. It’s good for sellers because fewer homes on market for sale means less competition for you.

PAST 30 DAYS

In the past 30 days there have been a total of 189 single family homes sold. The average list price of these sold homes was $322,542 while the average sold price was $307,369. These sold homes were on the market for an average of 149 days.

*73 sellers extended their contract after the listing expired. The average list price for these extended homes is $346, 278. Total days on market was 345 days.

PAST SIX MONTHS

Since around Christmas of last year, there have been a total of 895 homes sold. The average list price was $307,194 while the average sold price was $292,424. Total days on market for a sold home was 148 days.

*496 sellers extended their contract after the listing expired. The average list price was $346, 278 while the average days on market was 363 days.

TERMS OF SALE

The various financial instruments used to finance and purchase a home has been consistent all year. Since the beginning of the year 51% of single family dwellings were by a conventional loan. Cash sales equaled 31% and VA loans at 9%. The remaining 9% included FHA, USDA, 1031 Exchange, and ARM’s.

END NOTES

One of the significant differences between the current market and the “boom” of almost 15 years ago is how buyers bought their homes. In the past, cash sales were only around 5% to 7% as opposed to the current 30% to 40% it’s been for several years. Adjustable Rate Mortgages or ARM’s were all the rage in the years from 2005 through 2010. The interest rate on ARM’s go up at scheduled times and can cause your mortgage to balloon out of hand. ARM’s were one of the primary causes for the real estate bust.

 30 year mortgage rates which are currently under 4.5% were well above 7% back then. 15 years ago loans backed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were made to unqualified borrowers.

Carteret County and the Crystal Coast area has never been able to handle more than 900 to 1,000 homes on market for sale at a time. After the bust, this market had almost three times that amount. It has taken almost 10 years, but the supply of inventory has dwindled down to near that level again. This is very good news.

In short, the Carteret County real estate market is in one of the best conditions it has been in since before the real estate bust of the mid-2000’s. This is an extremely active market for both buyers and sellers. For example, Margaret Hitchcock, CRS and Broker-In-Charge at Hitchcock Realty is currently in the midst on closing 7 different properties at the same time.

Is now a good time to be buying or selling in the Crystal Coast area? You betcha it is!

Contact Margaret Hitchcock or Sylwia Rola with Hitchcock Realty at (252) 648-0300 for more information and to see what real estate opportunities are available for you! Visit our website at www.HitchcockRealty.net

Separation Of Church And State

Separation of church and state is impossible for a Christian. In fact, separation of church and anything is impossible.

Being a Christian means to be Christ like. It is not what we do, it is who we are and strive so hard to be like. It is our nature and essence. It is our existence.

Being a Christian and following the way, the truth and the life of Jesus Christ is not something you switch on and off. It is not like an overcoat you wear only in the winter and take of when you come inside.

You wouldn’t require a duck to bark or a cat to moo, so why are you expecting a Christian to act or do anything other than as a child of God and follower of Christ? Why would you expect a Christian to act in any other fashion than what is prescribed in the Bible? It’s who we are.

Admittedly, some have confused Christianity with their religion or as nothing more than being a good person or doing a good deed. Hopefully deeds are the effect of the cause, the cause being Christ. As a Christian, good deeds are the expression of God’s love IF they are the manifestation of Christ within. If not, then a good deed is just that, and only that, a good deed. The devil does these types of good deeds every day.

So don’t be surprised when a Christian acts like it. Actually, the opposite should hold true. You should be surprised when a confessed Christian doesn’t act like.

Bill Hitchcock

A little lesson and a little bit of fun

“And he (Jesus) said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44).

The writings Jesus referred to is called the Tanakh. The Christian Old Testament (OT) is derived from it. The Tanakh is composed of three separate books, covering the three different areas mentioned by Jesus in the above verse.

“the law of Moses” is called the “Torah” or “Teachings”. It contains the five books of Moses, (the first five books of the Christian OT).

“and in the prophets” that book is called the “Nevi'im” or “Prophets”. It includes major prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah as well as the twelve, which encompass books such as Hosea and Jonah.

“...and in the psalms” is called the “Ketuvim” or "Writings". This book includes books such as Psalms, Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes.

The word “Tanakh” is actually an acronym of the three books.

I have read the Tanakh online. But I have not owned a copy of it.  But within the past couple of months I have been able to buy 2 of the 3 books. They were the Torah and the Nevi’im, both of which were published by the Jewish Publication Society of America in the 70’s. Both are in mint condition. The Torah I stumbled across in Morehead City, the Nevi’im from a book store in California. The grand total cost for both was only $11.

The significance of it is this. The Jewish Publication Society of America translated the Tanakh from the original text into English, first 100 years ago and then again 50 years ago. Because it is translated directly from the Masoretic text to modern English, it is the most accurate translation (at least in my opinion) of Old Testament scripture available without having to learn Hebrew or Aramaic languages of the Biblical time period.

Does it read differently than say the King James Version? Yes it does. Are their significant differences? Sometimes. The Tanakh does paint a clearer more complete picture than any other English version I am aware of. It has too, it is a direct translation and not a translation from a translation of a translation. Nor does it suffer from the distortions that occur of the translations time period. Language evolves. Each translation from a different time period can augment the message. This problem is compounded with each success translation.

I am real big proponent of possessing a hard copy. In other words, I believe in owning the book, not just having the URL address. To have lucked into these 2 books in mint condition after 50 years and at such a low price is nothing short of a blessing.

I have the Ketuvim left to buy. I’m only interested in a Jewish Publication Society of America copy. The coast of North Carolina and California produced the first two. Let’s see where the third and final book comes from.

Bill Hitchcock

Nourished Tree

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Notice that the tree was planted, which shows intent. The tree was planted “by the waters” which shows choice. The waters are a metaphor for the Lord, for the Lord is the “fountain of living waters” (Jeremiah 17:13).

The blessed man chooses to reside by, be rooted in and receive nourishment from, the Lord.

Bill Hitchcock

Faith and Belief

“Faith is God's gift on the behalf of Christ, who purchased for us not only the blessedness which is the object of faith, but the grace of faith itself: the ability or disposition to believe is from God” (Matthew Henry/Commentary excerpt on Ephesians 6).

Did you catch what Matthew Henry just said? Faith and belief are gifts from God. These are not things of our design. God gives us the ability to believe, He gives us the ability to have faith in Him. These gifts are freely given, but not all will receive them.

Faith and belief cannot be learned. There is no amount of proof, education, intellectual or academic process in which someone can learn, attain or acquire faith and belief.

God must give it. We must receive it.

Bill Hitchcock

Forbearing One Another

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Colossians 3:13)

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3)

“Forbearing” literally means to “hold up”. We are to hold up, sustain and support each other. It also has the element of endurance included with it. We are to support and sustain each other. It’s what God wants us to do.

Forbearing is the effect. The cause to this effect is love, humility and the need to keep us in harmony with the Holy Spirit of God.

This is important. The unity of the Spirit has nothing to do with the Spirit, but with us. The Holy Spirit is fine. It is we who must harmonize to it. The first step is for each of us to accept the Holy Spirit into our life and allow it to guide and influence our very being. This requires a lowly and meek soul, for the prideful will certainly rebel against it.  True meekness comes from one who has a good understanding of his own morality, mortality and relationship with God.

Once we have solidified our relationship with the Spirit, then we can move on, through the Holy Spirit into our relationship with others.

There is one Spirit that bonds us together. This Spirit will guide us to, and through, the one way, truth and life. The attributes and characteristics of that one Spirit include love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23). Anything inconsistent with those attributes not only does not come from the Spirit, but diminishes its presence and influence in our life.

To “keep the unity of the spirit” requires each of us to bear, and to be, those attributes. It is simply impossible for the Spirit of God to flow freely in an environment of discord or through things not of it.

Works of the flesh are inconsistent with the Holy Spirit. These works include adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness and revellings. They which do such things are not of the Spirit, cannot maintain the unity of the Spirit with others, and, “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21).

Now, is it possible to forbear one another without the Holy Spirit? Yes it is. Any gracious act or good deed can be done by the devil himself, including belief in God (James 2:19). This can be confusing for some, but “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (1 Corinthians 11:14).

But since forbearance is an attribute of the Holy Spirit, it will naturally flow from the child of God and will do so freely, willingly, and with no other motivation other than love.

James asks, “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh” (James 3:12). A Spirit filled man will bear the fruits of love towards his fellow man.

In addition, James also points out, “Faith without works is dead…. by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (July 2: 20, 24). True faith will truly be made manifest through the Holy Spirit. You can’t stop it.

Love of God and love for your fellow man is the greatest commandment of them all. The purpose of the Holy Spirit is to motivate us towards fulfilling this commandment. Forbearing and forgiving one another in love epitomizes this command.

Bill Hitchcock

This One’s Going To Hurt. Literally!

Let’s make this short and sweet, clear and concise.

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:24)

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

What it literally means:

Strive means to engage in conflict, to fight.

Strait means to groan

Narrow is to afflict, to be afflicted, affliction.

The message above is this. It will be a fight and a struggle to get to the gates of heaven. Our walk on this earth will be (not might be) a battle with sin, a painful battle. We will be afflicted, it will hurt and we will groan. In fact the word “Strive” comes from the Greek, “Aagōnizomai”. It’s where we get the word “agony”. What better single word could possibly describe our bout with sin that is within?

Jesus has already warned us of this battle. He has also reminded us that He is the solution.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We are but travelers here on earth with two possible final destinations. One is easy to reach. It’s path is wide, broad and not only conflict free, but full of earthly pleasures. Most people take this route. It's the highway to Hell.

The other is a narrow more difficult passage way and it runs counter to our natural inclinations. Metaphorically speaking that’s exactly what  the word “Strait” means, something that goes against our natural grain.

Our sin nature will try to turn away from the pathway of God. The flesh will resist all conflict and pain. It’s natural inclination is pleasure and ease. But let’s face it. The life of God for Christ while we are here on this earth will be anything but pleasure and ease. It is why the Apostle Paul tells us to “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). We have a fight on our hands. It's gonna hurt, but we're gonna win!

The question is this; Are you willing to fight and be afflicted to the point of groaning in pain? Are you willing to depart from the crowd? To depart from ease?

We have been warned about this. Few will be able to.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:7-10).

Let’s clarify something here. There are those who are “unlearned and unstable” and will “wrest” these words (2 Peter 3:16). Affliction and struggle in of themselves are nothing more than just affliction and struggle. This has nothing to do with holiness, Godliness or righteousness.

But in our walk with Christ we will be attacked. We will have a fight on our hands, we will struggle, feel pain to the point of groaning and crying. These things will occur when we are in the pathway to God. But, no matter the struggle or even if we stumble and fall, as long as we stay in His path called righteousness, have faith in Him and love and abide in Him, then God will always “lift you up” and enable you to carry on.

Eventually the struggle will end. We will find our self in His presence. Joy, peace, and love will then be ours, with Him, forever. 

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels." (Revelation 3:5).

Bill Hitchcock

Don’t Lose Faith

The most common, frequently given piece of unsolicited advice I have received by fellow Christians when they have seen me ill is, “Don’t lose faith”.

The second most common piece of advice being, “Don’t worry. God still loves you”.

I’m dealing with an ailment and all my Church and Christian family can say to me is not to lose my faith and to remind me that God still loves me. How odd. Why would I lose faith or think God doesn’t love me because I suffer some malady? It doesn’t make sense!

Here are a few thoughts on the matter that have crossed my mind over the years.

1. What is the correlation between suffering and faith? Does faith decrease when things get tough and increase when they get good? Because that’s not faith you possess, at best it is gratitude and ingratitude, but it isn’t faith.

2. When something bad happens, do we automatically ask, “Why me Lord?” or even worse, wonder what we have done wrong to deserve it? Do we think of bad circumstances in terms of punishment? If so, you may want to read about the man who, “was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” but lost his family, health and wealth. His name was Job.

Jesus Christ also explained that bad things can happen to good people (Luke 13:1-4).

3. Why does doubt flare up when adversity shows up? How can faith be weakened by adversity? What good is faith if it diminishes when needed most?

4. Faith and adversity can co-exist, in fact, they must.

5. If faith is to be affected by circumstance, then it should be intensified during times of stress, duress, pain, suffering and sorrow, not weakened.

6. Having faith during good times is like having hope in or believing in something that already is.

“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:24).

7. We must have absolute faith at all times under all circumstances and all conditions. It is the only way pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:6). And if our faith in God is not absolute then we should not expect anything from God (James 1:6-8).

8. In Habakkuk 2:4 we learn that the “just will live by faith”. The just, the justified, the righteous. If the just live by faith, then why are my fellow Christians concerned over mine? Shouldn’t my faith be celebrated and not questioned? If my brethren believe I am a child of God, why are they casting doubts by trying to throw supports under something that doesn’t need supported?

9. I have noticed that circumstance isn’t the cause for lack or loss of faith. It is time, or more specifically the combination of time and circumstance. The Bible warns us of this. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

I’ll stop now leaving all with the above to think about. Feel free to comment.

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).

Bill Hitchcock

God Hath Not Appointed Us To Wrath

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-9)

Wrath is not what God has destined us for. He did not establish us and set us forth in this life only to proceed forward into Hell. No, God set us in motion towards salvation. We are to obtain it, acquire it, to have in totality.

But let’s stop for a second and take a closer look at this, for we have two separate but congruent occurrences here. God has predestinated us, He has appointed (establish, set forth) us to salvation. We are to “obtain salvation”, we are to go get it!

Both of these, (appointed by God and obtain by us) are motions, forward progresses, they are processes. These events happen while we are alive here on earth.

God sets the course (predestination) but it is up to us to get up and go do it. It’s typical of God to make all things associated with our salvation a tandem effort.

But unless we think to highly of ourselves, salvation is not achieved through our effort (deeds) alone. Salvation can only be achieved through Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Forward progress, tandem efforts, staying the course as designed by God. That’s our life as sojourners of this planet until the final victory is achieved.

Bill Hitchcock

When A Sinner Is Allowed To Continue

“Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?” (Job 24:1)

Nothing is hidden from God. So why is it that sometimes bad people prosper? How is it that evil sometimes goes unscathed, unrecognized and doesn’t “see his days”, meaning why don’t these folks, who wittingly sin, experience the wrath of God?

Job goes on to say, “They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.” (Job 24:24)

All in due time. If not in this world, then the next. Righteousness will prevail over sin. It always does. But things happen on God’s timetable, not ours.

Do not be fooled or misguided. Don’t be like the ones that say, “The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it” (Psalm 94:7).

Or like those who believe that, “God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.” (Psalm 10:11).

These are sure paths to death and destruction.

God sees everyone and everything. The iniquities of the unrepentant sinner shall be reckoned with and reconciled accordingly.  

“For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins” (Proverbs 5:21-22).

But this is none of our concern, for God said “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence” (Deuteronomy 32:35).

Trust God. He knows, He sees and will act justly and righteously at the exact right time.

Let’s take to heart something Jesus said to Peter when Peter was concerned over the fact that John was following them.

“This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:19-22)

Jesus told Peter about John, “…what is that to thee? follow thou me.”

We should have the same attitude when it comes to the sin of others going unpunished. What is it to you? Why are you concerned or bothered that a sinner, at least for now, is allowed to continue? Just follow after Jesus Christ, His will and His way and everything will be fine.

Bill Hitchcock

Truth and Morality as Culturally Relativity

I stumbled across something most interesting. While scanning my Facebook page this morning I noticed an ad by House Stuff Works. The ad was actually a test one could take to see how moral you were. What caught my eye was the following statement they made:

“While morality is different depending on what culture you live in, there are still things that most of agree are “good” and “bad.”

What? Morality as a cultural phenomenon? How can morality be cultural? It’s like saying truth is cultural. If morality and truth are cultural, then that would mean that both were relative. Cultural relativity to morality and truth can only be true IF there is no one, true God.

God established morality. In its most simple and purest, God’s morality came in the form of the Ten Commandments. These commandments were actually effects. It was Jesus Christ who clearly defined the cause that made manifest these effect; love.

“And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:28-31).

Jesus made the distinction between doing and being. One can do, and not be. Just ask the devils (James 2:19). But it is impossible for one to be, and not do.

Sin by definition is self-centered, self-seeking and self-serving. Sin takes and consumes what it wants, when it wants it.

Righteousness is an attribute of God, just like love is. Sin is not. Righteousness deals with what is ethically right, truthful and just. It is a condition acceptable to God. Sin is not.

Love is to express and convey the essential will of God, or His righteousness. Love can only be truly identified by the actions it inspires. The Ten Commandments are a perfect example of God’s love.

"Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, (Romans 15:2), and works no ill to any, (Romans 13:8-10); love seeks opportunity to do good to 'all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith. (Galations 6:10, 1 Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3:12-14). Source: The Epistles to the Thessalonians With Notes Exegetical and Expository 1959 by C.F. Hogg and W.E. Vine.

Morality comes from God. It is His expression of love. Love is righteousness on display. Morality can only come from the one, true God. If truth and morality comes from a false God or multiple Gods, then truth and morality becomes relative, and therefore cannot be true or moral.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ” (Ephesians 4: 1-7).

There is one God, (“He is God; there is no other besides Him.” Deuteronomy 4:35).

One love (“God is love.” 1 John 4:7).

One truth (“I am the way, the truth and the life.” John 14:6).

One morality (“We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29).

Anything that is not of faith in God is sin (Romans 14:23) and is immoral. Anything not of God is a lie. So it is impossible for morality to be cultural or relative.

Bill Hitchcock

Self-Evident Truth

In June of 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the following in the Declaration of Independence;

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness….”

“We hold these Truths to be self-evident”. Almost 250 years ago it was crystal clear and so obvious that the truth needed no proof or explanation. Today we do. What happened?

Why isn’t the truth self-evident anymore?

Jesus brought truth into focus and definition. He brought judgement to truth so man could understand it.

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law” (Isaiah 42:1-4).

Jesus also simplified truth for us all. He made it “self-evident” and obvious. He made it Him.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me….Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:1, 6).

Truth was found in Jesus Christ.

Our founding fathers knew Jesus and Christianity to be the rock in which all truth rests, so they built a government upon that foundation; Christ.

George Washington said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports”.

John Adams said the same thing, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Patrick Henry identified the “great pillars of all government” as “virtue, morality, and religion” and added, “This is the armor, my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.” (H/T Jim Denison)

Even Thomas Jefferson, who many credit as the principle behind separation of church and state knew that Christianity was what was “self-evident” to the American way.

“The religion of Jesus is founded in the Unity of God, and this principle chiefly, gave it triumph over the rabble of heathen gods then acknowledged. Thinking men of all nations rallied readily to the doctrine of one only God, and embraced it with the pure-morals which Jesus inculcated.”  (Thomas Jefferson).

Jesus Christ why, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident….”

But combine sin, time and man and it can add up to some very dangerous results.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Sin is but one thing, self-centered. It is concerned with only self. The acts of sin such as theft, murder, debauchery, etc are all acts of self-gratification.

A just government cannot be self-centered. In fact, a just government must be the exact opposite. A just government must consider all men as created equal. The purpose of a just government is to ensure each person’s unalienable rights that include, but not limited to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

A just government also understands that these things are granted by God, and that the governments responsibility is not to create rights and virtues, but rather to enforce and defend these unalienable God given rights and virtues that man already possess.

So, back to the original question. What happened? What we once held to be obvious and self-evident when written, is now obscure, ill-defined or even worse, redefined when read today.

What happened is rather self-evident too. If truth and righteousness was first established and then something changed, then only one thing could have changed. Sin. Sin was introduced into the system. Like Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit, the citizenry of the US has tread and engaged in things counter to God’s will and way.

Fortunately, we not only have truth in Jesus, we also have mercy and forgiveness through Jesus as well.

So let's repent. Put on Jesus and things will become self-evident again.

Bill Hitchcock