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The Border Crisis, Dereḵ And The Way to Heaven

The Border Crisis, Dereḵ And The Way to Heaven

Last updated on: March 3, 2024 at 8:57 am by Martin Thomas Johnson

The Border Crisis, Dereḵ And The Way to Heaven 2024-03-03T08:57:26-05:00 Martin Thomas Johnson

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This week the border crisis has been the main focus in the United States. Both Pres. Biden and citizen Trump made public visits to Eagle Pass Texas; although, the Republican-led GOP continues to refuse to vote on a border bill at the request of former president Trump.

Democrats at the Mexican border

Image by Wikipedia Commons

The House continues to show its allegiance to the former president over the country. Although conservatives are supposed to follow the ways of God, not the ways of this fallen world; the GOP continues to show its true colors.

Selfish
Uncompassionate
Deceptive

In another tragic turn of events, a college student in Athens, Georgia was senselessly murdered by an illegal immigrant. Years ago, I went hiking in that area myself. Disgustingly, the local GOP has politicized and publicized the student’s death just so they can get their selfish way.

Way

Although we live in a fallen world we have a choice in the way we live our lives. The three options are our way, the world’s way, or God’s way.

When I was younger I foolishly chose to live my life my way, until God got my attention through a severe car accident 27 years ago this month. Afterward, I committed myself to live the rest of my life God’s way.

Martin Thomas Johnson 1997

Image by Martin Thomas Johnson

The Bible has a lot to say about the way we live (Ezra 10:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23.) The Apostle Paul understood the importance of living God’s way and not just during Lent.

Dereḵ

One of the pivotal teachings of Judaism is living by God’s ways and not those of this corrupt world. God set His people apart from this corrupt world (Deuteronomy 14:2, Psalm 4:3.)

The Hebrew word used in the Old Testament for the way is dereḵ, depending on how it is used it can also mean road, distance, path, or journey. The implication is clear God’s people are on different paths than the cursed world. Judaism requires daily practices to help God’s people to live God’s way.

Study the Torah
Prayer
Be kind to others
Observe the commandments of the Torah
Serve God through faith

When Jesus started His earthly ministry He reminded His followers about the difference between God’s way and the world’s ways (Matthew 7: 13-14.) This is why Jesus emphasized the need for His followers to do God’s will, we don’t get to live like the world and go to Heaven (Matthew 7:21.)

Which way?

Image by Pixabay

Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but not everyone wants to follow God’s ways, not even many professing Christians. Unfortunately, most people want to live their best lives now. Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell his things and help the poor if he wanted to go to Heaven (Matthew 19:16-22.)

Let’s be honest, people may know Jesus is the only way to Heaven, but they don’t want to live His way and many will miss out on Heaven (Matthew 16:26.)

Heaven

Heaven is the ultimate goal for the people of God. We can only get there by living God’s way. However, many believe they can live their lives both ways, selfishly and godly. Jesus made it clear to His followers that we cannot have it both ways (Matthew 6:24-26.)

Satan is the king of deceiving people and leading them astray from God’s ways (Genesis 3:1-6.) The Bible warns us not to be led astray from the ways of God (Exodus 34:16, Matthew 24:1-51, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 John 2: 26.)

Heaven will be a lot better than this fallen world. If we live God’s way, our lives will look differently than this cursed world’s ways. We must choose God’s ways.

Forgiving
Humility
Be generous

Immigrants arriving in New York

Image by Wikipedia Commons

These are what made America great in the beginning. There is nothing wrong with immigrants coming to America that is how this country was founded and built.

We cannot forget Jesus Himself was an refugee in Egypt for a time (Matthew 2:13-14.) Or how the Bible tells us to care for foreigners (Leviticus 19:34, Deuteronomy 10:19, Matthew 25:35, Romans 13:8-13.) As God’s people, we must handle immigration the right Derek!

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