ISRAEL UPDATENovember 9, 2003 - During October the European branch of the Gallup organization conducted a poll - reporting that 59 percent of Europeans questioned believe Israel poses the “biggest threat to world peace”.
This would place Israel above rogue nations such as Syria, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, and China.
The past 500 years of history bears out these facts. . . England has been in 78 wars, France 71, the Netherlands 23, Spain 64, Germany 23, Italy and 25, and Poland 30 wars.
In fact, European nations alone engaged in 74 wars during the first generation born in the 20th Century. The total loss of life, limb and property is staggering.
Even more fantastic is finding that these statistics were released in 1962. While most of these nations have taken a less aggressive military stance, they still are actively promoting war in other areas.
The support of European nations during the current war of attrition against Israel has literally reached multi-millions of dollars.
Also, these same nations of Europe harbor terrorists, allowing them free passage to and from other countries, while practically sanctioning the plotting and implementation of terror activities.
So Europe can criticize Israel all they want, but the Bible clearly indicates the role this continent has as they make a last mad attempt to destroy Israel. Without a doubt they are doing their part to destabilize the region, supporting Yasser Arafat and Saddam Hussein. In the next several weeks we will likely see just how far Europe's tentacles reach.
November 9, 2003 - There is nothing but beauty in the definition of Paul's writings to the church at Galatia. This is especially true of chapter 5:22, 23 - as it shows the true liberating power of the word and the spirit in the believer’s life and walk… in action.
Previously, we have mentioned the concept of the Torah being negative and full of bondage. I wish to mention here once again that we have been set free from it once and for all.
But notice Paul's positive affirmation at the close of this most important passage “…against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:23b).
No man needs law to guide him after salvation and regeneration now, because the wholly committed believer chooses to walk in G-dly precepts and please G-d. Just as Matthew 5:16 states. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
But if we are not careful we miss another important aspect of this passage - which can be stated in the Torah. There are now laws prohibiting these attributes or their manifestations.
Paul so clearly and succinctly tells us beyond a shadow of doubt that G-d's plan is through His word, bringing us nothing but freedom and the joy and the desire to please G-d. It is not by following a bunch of “dos and don'ts”, but rather because we have the desire and the power to follow through.
The Torah is our source of guidance and inspiration - truly a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path that only shines brighter with each day. This helps us to walk as we ought and not be bound by rules, nor bound by sin.
To be continued . . .