By GFI board member, Randy Stahmer
I woke this morning thinking of one word: Conservation.
I am a bible believing constitutionalist. I am also conservative; conservative in the political sense and by my God-given nature one that likes things to be as they are and not subject to change. I do not like change much. If I could, I would go back to the 50’s and 60’s. But if you are old enough to have lived during those years, you also might remember President Lyndon B. Johnson and his “Operation Rolling Thunder”, which was a gradual and sustained aerial bombardment campaign conducted by the United States against North Vietnam. Rolling Thunder started in March of 1965 and ended in November 1968. Johnson was Kennedy’s VP and took over following Kennedy’s assassination in 1963. Johnson was a Democrat (a Liberal) from Texas and garnered praise for his domestic policy (giveaway programs and expanded welfare) but was heavily criticized for his foreign policy. During the Vietnam War, the US dropped over 7 million tons of explosives over North Vietnam. By comparison, the US dropped approximately 2 million tons of explosives in all of the World War II theaters. And, while under the guise of defeating communism, many lives were lost, the environment destroyed and resources squandered. As far as I know, communism still exists in that part of the world and accordingly, the enemy was not defeated despite tremendous waste and unimaginable loss. This example of ‘world’ leadership seems the exact opposite of conservation. In the midst of this leadership, much is wasted and for what purpose?
Let’s get back to the idea of Conservation, shall we? Consider for a moment the following concepts:
Conservation of Energy; Conservation of Matter; Conservation of the Environment; Conservation of Money, and perhaps most importantly Conservation of Life. All terminology of the root word ‘conserve’ addresses the protection of or preservation of the subject. But what is the point of conservation? Do we save for a rainy day? Are we protecting the environment for the children? Do we consider the Lord as Lord when we visit the Planned Parenthood clinic and kill the unborn child within?
The Teacher (Solomon) says, “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun”. ECC 2:10-11
We are currently living in the most comfortable era of history. It is the Laodicean Church Age. The Laodicean Church (one of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation Chapter 3) represents us! The Laodicean Church had all that they wanted and were comfortable. They did not need God. Sound familiar? Similarly, when we in the United States turn from God and His plan for us we will face consequences and His wrath. We are seeing it on full display today. As I write this, there was an attempt on President Trump’s life (July 13, 2024). By the mercy of God Almighty, President Trump was not severely injured. This is a wake-up call for the United States and the world. Conservatism must also represent the value and importance of yielding to the Almighty Creator.
We must stand for the unborn. We must echo the value of life and make that principle a daily talking point to those in our circles of influence. We must fight with the Spirit of God and His sword, which is His Word (EPH 6:17).
When it comes to abortion, God values life. The thief (evil among us) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they might have life (eternally), and have it to the full. (JN 10:10). When it comes to taxation, we must give to Caesar what is Caesar’s (LK 20:25). When we get slapped on the cheek, we must turn the other cheek also. Jesus tells us in MT 5:39 to not resist the evil person. But we must call on Him to fight the fight. Pray for the evildoers. Paul tells us in RO 12, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head”. God is the Judge!
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Most of this sounds difficult because it is not comfortable. But, Jesus was obedient to death on the cross. That was not comfortable. Let Jesus be our example and our guiding light. He is, by the way, the Light of the World.
Conclusion of the Matter:
Conservation is good. To be conservative can be good and is largely good if guided by Godly principles. Even conservation can be not so good if the conservative is guided solely by the flesh, self-preservation and self-service.
“A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner, he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind”. (ECC 2:24-26)
Let us, as Conservatives (Conservationists) not focus on the accumulation of wealth and ‘creature comfort’, but accept the blessing (and sometimes the uncomfortableness of this world) from God so that He might get the glory. Let us not forget that we who call on the Name of Jesus are His and He is the Maker of all Heaven and Earth. Let us embrace and proudly stand for the conservation of all of God’s creation, especially life, with zeal, with His Spirit and with joy.