THE BORDERS OF NATIONS (PART TWO)

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” 

(Acts 17:26, NIV).

Luke here in today’s text mentions four points God planned for man’s spreading upon the whole earth. They are as follows: (1.) “From one man he made all the nations,..” Notice that it is by “one man” not several men that “all” the nations originated from. (2.) “that they should inhabit the whole earth;..” God’s plan was for man to be “fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:28) and spread upon the whole earth. (3.) “and he marked out their appointed times in history..” Yes, history has borne out the rise and fall of many empires, nations, and peoples. (4.) “and the boundaries of their lands.” The word “boundaries” here means “borders” that separates the land of one country from another.

THE BORDERS OF NATIONS (PART ONE)

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” 

(Acts 17:26, NIV).

The term “open borders” has been a popular phrase of recent. In the political arena the open borders policy is promoted as if it were a good thing for a country. If that were the case, then why are many countries with this open borders policy, particularly European countries, suffering economically, financially, and from serious criminal activity? Our borders should be closed to foreigners who are criminals, terrorists, and who carry dangerous communicable diseases. It is particularly Western European dominant Caucasian countries that are under the most serious threat. We don’t see China, India, or Russia throwing open their borders for anyone to come in. No, of course not; they are about preserving their culture, heritage, ethnicity, and way of life. They don’t bring in just any immigrant, then accommodate them. Even Muslim dominant countries don’t do such a foolhardy thing as opening their borders to anyone, and then pander to their needs. In today’s text, it is clear since the beginning of the nations, that it was God’s plan to not only spread out and populate the whole world, but also to divide up the nations according to each ethnic group, language, culture, and borders, etc. (see Gen. 11:8; Deut. 32:8; Acts 17:26). Yet we hear some leading politicians of our day chanting this popular slogan “Diversity is our Strength,” when in reality “Diversity is our Weakness.” This multicultural concept flies in the face of reality when such diverse ethnic groups are unwilling to learn the language, adopt the culture, and integrate into the society of the foreign country they chose to adopt as their new home. Instead, we see the borders of such countries wide open to illegal immigrants to cross without consequences, and are helped across the border, when they should be stopped. 

I LOVE YOU...

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” 

(John 15:13, NASB).

2017 has been a difficult year for my family with the passing away of my father. Concerning the love my parents had for each other, three simple words come to mind, “I Love You.” For over 54 years my father both showed and said these words to my mom. He more than proved his words true by his sacrificial actions. As I trace the history of my dad’s words to my mom, “I Love You,” a beautiful picture emerges. When I was a small child, my little eyes saw and my small ears heard those words from my father’s mouth to my mom, they were both strong and sure, for they were the life’s blood of my dad’s heart that naturally flowed out to my mother. As the years flew by, his words never faded, but stood strong, even through the storms of life. Not once did his “I Love You” falter for my mom. No other woman caught my dad’s eyes except my mom. During my late teen years, I noticed my parents were getting older, yet my dad’s love for my mom never grew weary or tired of my mom. He would say those words faithfully, “I Love You.” Even through my 20s, 30s, and beyond my dad’s words never lost their vigor, I would hear him say time and again, “I Love You.” Finally, the twilight years of my dad’s final days had come, old and full of years. My dad suffered from Alzheimer’s disease that was robbing him of his memory and life, yet my ears still heard those all too familiar words uttered to my mother, “I Love You.” Though Alzheimers was ravaging his memory, but his heart stayed the course sure, vigorous, strong and true, just like in his youth, when he first uttered them to my mother. Then the time came when my dad lay on a bed in a hospital, his voice was faint and weak, yet those words were uttered to my mom once again. In a low whisper he said, “I Love You.” Neither old age, failing health, or even Alzheimers could stop such words, precious words. Since my sister, brothers, and I are an extension of the love my dad had for my mom, his words were equally true of us as well. There is a lovely picture of my mom and dad looking at each other, a time capsule that has frozen forever the moment that testifies of my dad’s love for my mother.

My dad’s example of love for my mother is a lovely picture of Christ’s love for His bride, the Church. The Lord Jesus Christ loved the Church so much that He gave His life for her. His “I Love You” moment was beautifully demonstrated on the Cross at Calvary. As our beloved Friend He laid down His life for us, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NASB). As our beloved Shepherd He laid down His life for us, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, NASB). Then as the God of love He laid down His life for us, “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16, NASB). 

Dear Lord Jesus, too often we say “I Love You” to our loved ones in a loose manner that robs these precious words of their true meaning. Lord, forgive us and restore unto us the true conviction of these words, so that we may used them wisely and say them from the heart, “I Love You.” Yes, Lord Jesus we love you above all else. For in loving You, we will be able to love others in the way they should be loved and appreciated. Amen.