Flip-Flops

From My Perspective - - -

In both political and religious circles, we hear the similar designation of one being either Liberal or Conservative (there are other designations such as Libertarian. Moderate, etc.). In the religious circle one can be a Denomination affiliate (Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, etc.). And within that generally defined circle, one can be an Arminian or Calvinist; Charismatic, Holiness, etc. There are so many refinements to “Who” we are and “What” we believe that a clear identity is blurred at best.

When Abraham Lincoln wanted to clarify political issues and camps, he stated: “But you say you are conservative - eminently conservative - while we are revolutionary, destructive, or something of the sort. What is conservatism? Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried? We stick to, contend for, the identical old policy on the point in controversy which was adopted by “our fathers who framed the Government under which we live;" while you with one accord reject, and scout, and spit upon that old policy, and insist upon substituting something new. True, you disagree among yourselves as to what that substitute shall be. You are divided on new propositions and plans, but you are unanimous in rejecting and denouncing the old policy of the fathers.” Abraham Lincoln drew the line of sharp distinction clearly. No vagueness! No blurring of identities! Too much was/is at stake for vagueness and vacillation!

In the current political debate, there is the suggestion and accusation regarding one candidate or another “flip-flopping”! One who “flip-flops” can mean many things, but the intention of the charge is to have one believe about another candidate that he/she is: “making a sudden or unexpected reversal, as of direction, belief, attitude, or policy; to execute a backward somersault.” Is it possible that political candidates would succumb to such an action in an attempt to deceive you and to secure your vote? Say it isn’t so (a lot of tongue in cheek here)! Only the naïve would be duped! There is no way that a candidate who is known to have the most liberal voting record up to this point would suddenly have a conversion experience to become a Moderate/Conservative.

There is a fascinating Biblical passage – II Peter 2:17-22 – that describes the possible state of many political types (and religious ones as well). Peter writes: “These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity…If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: A dog returns to its vomit, and, A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

Gullibility and Naiveté should not be ones DNA. We are to give prayerful thought to (a) what the Word of God requires of us, and (b) make consistent application of it in all areas and arenas of ones life. Flip-Flopping should be far removed from any person of character and integrity. Abraham Lincoln framed the issue correctly when he asked: “Is it not adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried?” Our Foundations should be forever! Tampering with the Foundations will always compromise and jeopardize the structure. Note Ephesians 2:19 through 22, “…you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Don’t tamper with or attempt to alter this foundation!

Think about this with me - - -