“The sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which the child of God rests his head at night giving perfect peace.“

Charles Spurgeon

Table of Contents

1. WHO Pandemic Response Negotiations

2. Leaked Cru Training Materials

3. Other news you should know

4. Remnant Resources

5. Share this newsletter

WHO Pandemic Response Negotiations

WHO (World Health Organization) Member States have agreed to resume negotiations to finalize a pandemic agreement following two weeks of intensive discussions. The ninth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB9) began in March and covered various critical topics, including financing for pandemic preparedness and equitable access to medical resources. The resumption of negotiations next month will precede the Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly, where the proposed text of the pandemic agreement will be considered for adoption. Dr. Precious Matsoso and Mr. Roland Driece, co-chairs of the INB Bureau, emphasized the importance of consensus, solidarity, and equity in order to achieve this. 

There is no greater comfort available to men than can be found in the goodness and sovereignty of God (1 Peter 1:3-9). There is no greater threat to the good life the Lord intends for us as His people than to hand our sovereign freedoms over to others, especially when those others are unelected (see also unaccountable) officials who are not motivated by the “attitude which was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3-5).

The Lord intends that man be free (Galatians 5:1). While the Lord never intended that man be free from suffering appropriate consequences from their individual and communal choices (Galatians 6:7-8), it was always the Lord’s intent that man and the nation-states of which men are necessarily a part, be free to make those choices. Even as Americans should be hesitant to surrender the blessed freedom our nation’s forefathers wisely enumerated in the preamble of our Declaration of Independence, America should be slow to surrender its rights to other nations or organizations who do not share our values or worldview (Colossians 2:8). The World Health Organization’s call to organize an international response to future pandemics based on “consensus, solidarity, and equity” sounds reasonable enough, but so did the terms “diversity, equity, and inclusion” when they were originally introduced in the 1960s. Words are rarely the problem; it is most often how we define and execute them that leads to our “execution” (Proverbs 7:21, Psalm 52:2-7). Surrendering national sovereignty or genuine medical freedom is something that should be done with fear and trepidation, and the discerning are aware that these same two motivations also happen to be the primary emotional ploys used by organizations like WHO to get a susceptible public to surrender such freedoms.  

We are not many months removed from watching our own government and CDC use fear as a tool to impose untested vaccines and shutdowns and increase government powers during the COVID-19 era. While prudence and care for fellow man are characteristics of the remnant (Proverbs 22:3, Matthew 7:12), manipulation via fear and the call to be “safe” or “love our neighbor” can be horribly misused by political elites always willing to “save us from ourselves” while increasing their own power.

The Trump administration was wise to remove America from member commitments to the World Health Organization, and all Americans should pay close attention to any commitments its government is making now that the Biden administration has re-established our membership in it. A wise nation maintains its affections and obedience to the Lord (Psalm 33:12) not other nations, and the remnant would be wise to remember that worry is not our way and panic is not our friend.

_{By: Todd Wagner}

Leaked CRU Training Materials

The leaked training materials from Cru, a prominent Christian organization, have sparked controversy. Critics argue that the materials suggest an acceptance of "gay christianity," which they believe contradicts traditional Christian teachings on sexuality and marriage. They view this as an attempt to blend secular LGBTQ+ ideology with Christianity. Some critics are calling for accountability and doctrinal clarity from Cru's leadership, concerned about the potential impact of such teachings on Christian theology and ethics.

On the other hand, defenders of Cru argue that the leaked materials are being misinterpreted. They maintain that the organization remains committed to biblical teachings on sexuality and that the materials are meant to promote understanding and dialogue with individuals who experience same-sex attraction. They emphasize the importance of showing compassion and respect to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, while upholding the biblical view of marriage between a man and a woman.

As Abraham Lincoln once said, "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." Rather than promoting Side A, B, X, Y, etc. theology, we should set out to read, believe, teach, and rejoice in what God says (Hebrews 4:12, Jeremiah 15:16).

CRU's training, while having admirable aspects, also raises questions that warrant thoughtful consideration, if not admonishment. God's design, when followed, leads to true freedom (Galatians 5:13), including in matters concerning gender and sexuality. As Christians, our primary identity should rise above all other labels, emphasizing our identity in Christ above all else and avoiding labels that define us by our sin or temptation rather than our salvation and redemption (Galatians 3:28, Romans 6:14). Furthermore, we must be careful that we don't become so eager to relate to our world that we stop faithfully revealing the truth clearly laid out in the Word of God. While we want to follow Paul's example in doing all things for the sake of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:23), we have to be careful that we don't adopt the world's vocabulary (or philosophy) at the expense of fidelity to the sufficiency of God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Inviting others to know Christ is an invitation to transformation (2 Corinthians 5:17), recognizing that complete sanctification is a process that continues throughout our lives (2 Corinthians 3:18). The church's motto should echo the sentiment, “come as you are, but don't stay as you came" (Matthew 11:28, 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Remember, Christ doesn't just save us from sinful actions; He is after the heart, too (Jeremiah 24:7). Sanctification means being transformed into Christ's likeness in attitude, word, desire, and action, not just in our outward behavior (Philippians 2:3, Romans 12:2, Colossians 4:6).

_{By: Jamie Wilder}

Other news you should know

♟️ The Louisiana Legislature is playing chess when it comes to the abortion battle.

🌍 According to UCLA, the climate is homophobic.

🏀 Caitlin Clark’s popularity is actually about "White privilege" and "pretty privilege," per host of "The View."

🥶 Up to 50% of UCLA medical students are testing as medically incompetent.

🚚 Young adults are moving, but why and where?

🚔 Criminal organization or climate activists?

🇲🇽 Rally turns deadly in Mexico after stages collapses.

Remnant Resources

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