dictionary.reference.com has these definitions of the word patriot:
1) a person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interests with devotion.
2)
a person who regards himself or herself as a defender, especially of
individual rights, against presumed interference by the federal
government.
3)
a U.S. Army antiaircraft missile with a range of 37 miles (60 km) and a
200-pound (90 kg) warhead, launched from a tracked vehicle with radar
and computer guidance and fire control.
4) a person who vigorously supports his country and its way of life.
5) a US surface-to-air missile system with multiple launch stations and the capability to track multiple targets by radar.
There are three conceptions of life:
1) The animal conception 2) The social or "patriot" conception 3) The Christian or "true spiritual" conception.
A:
He who lives the animal conception lives solely for himself, his
happiness, his interests, and his welfare, regardless of others. He
does not even or rarely loves those who love him. His life is little different than that of a cow. If you have ever milked a line of cows, brought them hay, etc...this conception is not hard to identify.
B:
He who lives the social or "patriotic" conception lives for HIMSELF,
HIS family, HIS friends, HIS close neighbors, HIS possessions, HIS
country...for all of these objects: their interests, ambitions,
religion, security, etc...he lives for and if he is passionate, is
willingly to die for these objects. This conception of life is better
in some ways than the animal conception, in that this man loves not only
himself, but also those who love him; the social or "patriot" conception of life will, however, keep you out of the
kingdom of God and from ever becoming a Christian, if, these objects
remain boundaries to your love. But he who's love has no BORDERS (is
not a location based idolatry), is no patriot to any earthly ruler or
kingdom...his loyalty belongs to the King of kings and Lord of Lords
ALONE.
C:
He who lives the Christian conception of life lives for God alone,
which incorporates doing good to all of humanity...himself, his family, his friends,
his close neighbors, his far neighbors, his enemies, his countries'
enemies. His love far surpasses this earthly, sensual, ANIMAL,
PATRIOTIC, and self beneficial love. For, he obeys the Christ Who said,
"For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners
also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good
to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye
lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for
sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your
enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your
reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for
he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore
merciful, as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:32-36)
He who lives the Christian conception fulfills the Royal Law. His love has no BORDERS.
He
who renders to Caesar what belongs to God is a PATRIOT, and is a
location based IDOLATER, and as it is written, "Know ye not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:
neither fornicators, nor IDOLATERS, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor
abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of
God." (I Corinthians 6:9-10)
No comments:
Post a Comment
“Reason dictates that persons who are truly noble and who love wisdom will honor and love only what is true. They will refuse to follow traditional viewpoints if those viewpoints are worthless...Instead, a person who genuinely loves truth must choose to do and speak what is true, even if he is threatened with death...I have not come to flatter you by this written petition, nor to impress you by my words. I have come to simply beg that you do not pass judgment until you have made an accurate and thorough investigation. Your investigation must be free of prejudice, hearsay, and any desire to please the superstitious crowds. As for us, we are convinced that you can inflict no lasting evil on us. We can only do it to ourselves by proving to be wicked people. You can kill us—but you cannot harm us.” From Justin Martyr's first apology 150 A.D. Martyred A.D. 160