The Newly Announced NoLabels.Org Is Not New

There is a relatively new organization on the scene, called No Labels.  The claim in their logo is that they wish to move "Not left.  Not right. Forward."  Is this an idea who's time has come, or just an old idea recycled?  Is this a group for Christians, or one to be avoided?

What is NoLabels.org?  According to their website, they are a cross-section of America who desire to "put our labels aside, and put the issues and what’s best for the nation first."

Based on their blog, the new group launched publicly in September, 2010.

The idea that people should "put labels aside" and judge ideas based purely on their merits is nothing new.   The "NoLabels.Org" group may be a new version and may attract people who consider themselves reasonably minded, but the position they represent is part of an ages-old trend that ignores God's Word.

Why would I make such a statement?  Based purely on their own words.

For example, they say that they "want to put labels aside, and put the issues and what's best for the nation first."

How do we know "what's best," and how do we compromise when we disagree?  Why put aside labels that have served to clarify debate and identify positions?

First, let's talk for a moment about compromise.

How would the No Labels folks compromise with me on abortion?

I believe abortion is murder, others do not.  Where can we find compromise?  We could sit in a room for days on end and my position, based upon God's Word, will remain: abortion is murder.  Those opposite me would claim it is not.  If they are like most people who argue over abortion, they will argue based on emotional and economic grounds.

They may even say, "let's avoid labels and come to a compromise position."  However, it seems to me that any compromise is actually an acknowledgement that abortion, for at least some reasons, is not murder.  This isn't compromise, it is caving.  For the person who believes that abortion is acceptable, nothing changes; abortion still takes place.  For me, murder is taking place.  How is this compromise?

Far worse, it ignores God's Word.

In general, one common problem with any group which seeks compromise as their end-goal is that the side in the right always has to allow the side in the wrong to gain ground.

'Did God really say you shall not eat from any tree in the garden?'  Genesis 3:1

Secondly, No Labels, and groups like them, claim that the reasonable thing to do is to put aside labels.  There are two critical problems with this view.  First, when you put aside labels,you are then free to redefine or destroy the meaning of terms.  Secondly, eliminating labels (black, white, hot, cold) destroys your ability to communicate.  Labels exist for specific reasons, and clear communication is one of them.

How crafty it is to state that you do not want any labels!  If you can get others to set them aside, you can define reality any way you like.  When others object, simply say that they are the problem, that they are unwilling to let go of out-dated traditions.  

Labels allow people to see clearly.  When you eliminate them you blur meaning and create confusion. To quote Pilate: "What is truth?"  Those who desire to eliminate labels must have a reason, and it occurs to me that honesty and truth are not part of their end goals.

How can we discuss right and wrong, or what is fair, if we cannot even use words that carry a clear meaning?  How can you claim to want what's best for our nation if we can't agree on the meaning of  labels such as "best" or even "nation"?

If those in the No Labels crowd really want what is best for our nation, I have a simple recommendation: Get down on bended knee and cry out to God for mercy.  Put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone as savior.  Read His Word for instruction.  Then, do what He says.

You can find His Word in most bookstores under the label: BIBLE

Should People Fear God? A Comment On Psalm 112

If you tune into most Christian TV or radio programs you are likely hear a clear emphasis on the message  "God is love."  This message aims to comfort the listener, reassuring them that everything is going to be O.K.  Their daily theme seems to be: Just keep listening to this uplifting message, and imagining that God loves you, and you can have inner peace.

This is a dangerous and misleading characterization of God.

It is certainly true that God defines what love is.  However, the love God demonstrates is a love that should be feared if you are not a regenerate Christian.

(A regenerate Christian is one who is born again.  Being born again means that you have surrendered your own desires to God, admitted that you are a sinner who needs God's forgiveness, and put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your savior.)

Psalm 112 discusses the topic of God, love, and fear.  It begins,

"Praise the LORD!  How blessed is the man who fears the LORD,"

Why would the Bible make a statement such as "blessed is the man who fears the LORD"?  Why should anyone fear love?

Psalm 112 continues and provides insight into the answer to this apparent puzzle, telling us that the heart of a righteous man "is steadfast, trusting in the LORD." (verse 7)

How can you trust God if you fear Him?  You can trust God when you no longer have anything to fear.  There is no fear when you are seen as a righteous man, when you are seen as a man who is free from sin.

The Bible teaches that God, as the Creator of all that exists: you, me, the ground you walk upon, the trees that allow you to breath oxygen, the sun, the moon, and everything else, has dominion over His creation.

An illustration of this is to think of a painter.  He has complete control over his painting.  He can move the trees, change the bright sunlit day into a dark and gloomy night, or whitewash the entire canvas, obliterating all that once existed.

God created all, and as the Creator he has dominion.  Put another way, He sets the rules.  He also defines the consequences when you do not follow the rules.

If you understand who God is, and you are not one of His forgiven children, then you certainly should quake.  You should never again rest your head on your pillow and have a sound nights' sleep.  Why?  Because judgment awaits from the almighty God who created you, knows you, and knows every violation of His rules (That is, the Commandments. See Exodus 20:1-17).

However, as a loving God the Lord wishes that all should find life and peace through salvation (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9).  This salvation is available through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (see my other posts).  This is the only way to shield yourself from the wrath of an angry God on judgment day (Rom 2:5-6).

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Psalm 111:10

Think about his.  Become wise.  Understand who you are, and who God is.  Fear the LORD.  Repent of your sin and trust the savior, Jesus Christ.  Then you can rest peacefully.