Confederate Christians and fellow Compatriots:
Below is my message for Sunday, August 22nd. Please feel free to forward or reply. Your comments are always most welcome.
May our Lord bless you all in His service, and in service to our just and worthy Confederate Cause.
Bro. Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
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Is It God's Will?
The Bible tells us quite plainly that not everyone will inherit eternal life. In fact, it seems that most will not; not even some of those who claim to be servants of Christ. In Matthew chapter seven, verses 13 and 14, Jesus speaks of the wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction, and the strait gate and narrow way that leads to life. He tells us that many will go the way of destruction, and few will find life. In that same chapter, verses 21 through 23, Jesus states that many who claim to have done wonderful works in His name will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Then there is the dreadful vision of the great judgment in Revelation chapter 20. Verse 15 says, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. This is true. It is God's word. But, is it God's will?
The answer is no, of course not. In 2 Peter 3: 9, The Apostle writes that the Lord is "longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Indeed, to accomplish His will, God has placed great obstacles between man and spiritual death. He gave His Son to die in our stead. He gave the Holy Spirit to convict and convince us of our spiritual need. He gave the Bible to burn truth into our hearts. He sent faithful witnesses to speak to us under His direction. He gave His Church (not to be confused with my church, your church, our church, or their church) to teach and baptize. And why? Because He loves us and is not willing that any should perish.
So, why then will so many (most according to Jesus) live this life in doubt and despair, and end it by diving headlong into eternal death and destruction? Perhaps it's that word "Repentance." In simple terms, repentance means to turn from self to God. It means to surrender our will to God's will, and accept His authority in our life. As Jesus prayed in the garden in Luke 22: 42, "Not my will, but thine be done." However, the act of repentance requires faith. But, this too is given to us by God. In Ephesians 2: 8, the Apostle Paul writes, "For by grace (God's love) are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
I truly believe that it is God's will that the Sons of Confederate Veterans grow, prosper, and succeed in it's appointed mission. I believe we as a Confederation have a mandate, not only from General S.D. Lee, but from God. However, for God's will to be done, in our lives and in our just Cause, we must be in His Will.
So, it is my prayer today that every member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans seek God's will in their life. Before every word: Before every act: Before every decision: We should ask ourselves, am I just doing what I want to do, and saying what I want to say, or is it God's will?
Bro.Len Patterson, Th.D
Chaplain, Army of Trans-Mississippi
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