Can America still be called a "Christian nation"? The answer is both yes and no, depending on what is meant by the phrase. When citizens refer to America as a Christian nation, they do not mean Christianity is an official religion, but that the majority of its citizens hold to a belief in the Christian God. All but one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (Franklin, a Dieist) were Christians, but that does not make America a Christian nation.
What makes us Christian is the sheer number of our citizens - 78% - who identify themselves as Christian. We are certainly a more religiously diverse society today than during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. There are increasing numbers of non-Christians here, including Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Shintoists, Unitarians, Hindus, Wiccans and Naturists. But Christians comprise 78% of the population, while non-Christians are only 6%, and those with no religious affiliation are 16%.
Our constitutional legal system is somewhat based on principles of the Bible, but not on the Koran or any other holy book. We observe Sunday, the Christian Sabbath, and other Christian holidays. The Ten Commandments are still on the walls of several national buildings, including the Supreme Court chambers. Many of our coins have displayed "In God We Trust" since the Civil War, and it's been on our paper money since 1956. We have included "Under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance since 1954. The USA is still firmly fashioned by Judeo-Christian heritage.
Philosopher/historian Alexis de Tocqueville observed in 1831, "There is no country in the world, where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America." That is still true today. Though we do not live under a Christian government, we are free to practice our particular religion in accordance with the basic Christian principles which define this nation. In that sense it is proper to say America is a Christian nation.
"In God We Trust" has been used as our national motto in some form since 1863, probably being taken from the final verse of our National Anthem. When we hear leaders say we are not a Christian nation, they are stating an official truth. But when others say America is indeed a Christian nation, they are stating a practical truth. If a majority of its citizens adhere to the Christian religion, then that nation is a Christian nation.
I recently heard a fine song by a group called Diamond Rio entitled, "In God We Still Trust." You can hear it on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiYgpPB1kwU. I believe it's worth your hearing.
May it always be that way in America - "In God We Trust!"
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
In the ever-recycling world of the internet, a prayer has been circulating reportedly given by Billy Graham, then aired on Paul Harvey. The prayer is partially true, but it did not originate with Billy Graham, nor was it first aired by Paul Harvey.
It was prayed in 1996 by Rev. Joe Wright of Central Christian Church, Wichita, Kansas, at the opening of the Kansas State House of Representatives. He got a lot of flack for it and some legislators walked out while he prayed it, but its message is true, no matter what your political leanings may be. He doesn't leave much out.
Pastor Wright called it his "Prayer of Repentance." You probably have heard some of it before, but I offer it to you in its complete form with rightful authorship. I hope you will read (and perhaps pray) all of it, before you form your opinion of it. You might need to change just a word or two so it applies to our nation rather than just Kansas.
"Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," (Isaiah 5:20) but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
"We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem.
"We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbors' possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
"Search us, O God, and know our hearts today. Try us and see if there be some wicked way in us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state. Grant them Your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will. I ask this in the name of Your son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen"
With our newfound freedom of self-expression on the Internet, we need to keep truth before us at all times.
It was prayed in 1996 by Rev. Joe Wright of Central Christian Church, Wichita, Kansas, at the opening of the Kansas State House of Representatives. He got a lot of flack for it and some legislators walked out while he prayed it, but its message is true, no matter what your political leanings may be. He doesn't leave much out.
Pastor Wright called it his "Prayer of Repentance." You probably have heard some of it before, but I offer it to you in its complete form with rightful authorship. I hope you will read (and perhaps pray) all of it, before you form your opinion of it. You might need to change just a word or two so it applies to our nation rather than just Kansas.
"Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," (Isaiah 5:20) but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
"We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem.
"We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbors' possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
"Search us, O God, and know our hearts today. Try us and see if there be some wicked way in us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state. Grant them Your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will. I ask this in the name of Your son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen"
With our newfound freedom of self-expression on the Internet, we need to keep truth before us at all times.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
CITIZENS OF TWO KINGDOMS
Some may be thinking my WEEKLY MESSAGEs have recently turned the corner from personal devotions to political commentary. I didn't mean for it to be thus, but I admit to have begun addressing the times we live in more directly. It's all part of a Christian's rightful opportunity to witness to the culture in which (s)he lives.
Lutherans believe in separation of church and state. The state has no authority over God's Word, and the Church has no authority of the sword. The Church has no right of civil rule over land and people or to enact and enforce civil laws. So also the state has no right to regulate what a church believes or how it functions in its beliefs.
While it is desirable that public officials be Christian, being a Christian does not guarantee being a good leader. Being an official of the state confers no special authority on a Christian. The Church should not expect or ask any special assistance from the State in her work of soul-saving, except the freedom to exercise one's beliefs as guaranteed under the First Amendment of the Constitution.
History not withstanding, the Church has no biblical right to set up or depose civil rulers, or to establish kingdoms. Despite what has happened in other lands, the State has no biblical authority to organize Christian congregations, appoint ministers, or legislate spiritual things. Any usurping of power either by the Church or by the State in the domain of the other, is wrong and always results in misrule and tyranny.
Christians may choose to participate in government as citizens in any God-pleasing manner, their motivation being gratitude and love towards God and love and concern for people. Christians have freedom of choice in governmental matters. Any and all teachings that coerce Christians to seek a particular course of involvement have no basis in Holy Scripture.
Christians may (and should) voice concerns if they believe government is erring in its treatment of people. Indeed, they should witness the truth and strive to correct error and confront evil. Christians may exercise their freedom of speech in governmental matters as individuals, but being in the Church gives them no special authority. Ministers need to be especially careful in this area. As in all other things, Christians must rely on God's Word for direction, as they witness to their culture.
When Jesus said, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's," (Matthew 22:21) He was speaking of more than just taxes. He was telling us there are two Kingdoms, and that we are citizens of both. We need to keep from mixing them up!
God bless the Church, and may God bless America!
Lutherans believe in separation of church and state. The state has no authority over God's Word, and the Church has no authority of the sword. The Church has no right of civil rule over land and people or to enact and enforce civil laws. So also the state has no right to regulate what a church believes or how it functions in its beliefs.
While it is desirable that public officials be Christian, being a Christian does not guarantee being a good leader. Being an official of the state confers no special authority on a Christian. The Church should not expect or ask any special assistance from the State in her work of soul-saving, except the freedom to exercise one's beliefs as guaranteed under the First Amendment of the Constitution.
History not withstanding, the Church has no biblical right to set up or depose civil rulers, or to establish kingdoms. Despite what has happened in other lands, the State has no biblical authority to organize Christian congregations, appoint ministers, or legislate spiritual things. Any usurping of power either by the Church or by the State in the domain of the other, is wrong and always results in misrule and tyranny.
Christians may choose to participate in government as citizens in any God-pleasing manner, their motivation being gratitude and love towards God and love and concern for people. Christians have freedom of choice in governmental matters. Any and all teachings that coerce Christians to seek a particular course of involvement have no basis in Holy Scripture.
Christians may (and should) voice concerns if they believe government is erring in its treatment of people. Indeed, they should witness the truth and strive to correct error and confront evil. Christians may exercise their freedom of speech in governmental matters as individuals, but being in the Church gives them no special authority. Ministers need to be especially careful in this area. As in all other things, Christians must rely on God's Word for direction, as they witness to their culture.
When Jesus said, "Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's," (Matthew 22:21) He was speaking of more than just taxes. He was telling us there are two Kingdoms, and that we are citizens of both. We need to keep from mixing them up!
God bless the Church, and may God bless America!
Monday, June 8, 2009
GOD HAS NO GRANDCHILDREN
"The Wizard of Oz" is a classic to most of us. Besides being a fun story, it contains moral lessons from Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion as they travel the Yellow Brick Road. The great enemy is the Wicked Witch of the West. One lesson we get from the story is that good eventually overcomes evil.
A new Broadway musical, however, has changed the original story completely. In it, the Wicked Witch is a sympathetic character. Born with green skin, she feels like an outsider, and so we are to empathize with all that she must go through in her sad plight. Major characters, plot lines and other details are all changed so the Wicked Witch comes out as merely a misunderstood person. The end result is evil becomes good and good becomes evil.
But this is nothing new. About 500 years before Christ, Isaiah 5:20 wrote, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." During his ministry, Isaiah saw a reversal of moral values taking place in Israel. People were pushing to make the evils of murder, idolatry and sexual perversion to be acceptable, even good. Isaiah gave them many stern warnings most of which, sadly, they did not heed.
A wise man once said that to change people's minds, you first make the unthinkable thinkable. Then you make it acceptable, and eventually the acceptable will become preferable.
Sound familiar? Our world today pushes relativism in almost everything, resulting in biblical values being trashed. The best way we Christians can avoid this disturbing trend is by devotion to God's word. Only through reading the Word, hearing the Word and living by the Word can we discern what is really good and evil. And only in knowing the Truth can we teach it to our future generations.
Jesus saw evil made into good in His day, and we see it as well. To combat this we must first open our eyes to see what is happening around us. And then we need to combat evil with the truth. Jesus didn't condemn sinners, but He did condemn their sin. He forgave the repentant, but He warned people to follow the truth. He was especially hard on those who believed they had some special relationship with God based on inheritance rather than faith.
No one is born directly into the Kingdom. There will be no denominations in heaven. We all must come to it by faith in Jesus. Christianity is a living faith that rejects the evil and follows the good. Satan's ways must never become ours. We must stand fast in our Lord, who is the Truth, the Way and the Life, the only way to God the Father.
God has no grandchildren....
A new Broadway musical, however, has changed the original story completely. In it, the Wicked Witch is a sympathetic character. Born with green skin, she feels like an outsider, and so we are to empathize with all that she must go through in her sad plight. Major characters, plot lines and other details are all changed so the Wicked Witch comes out as merely a misunderstood person. The end result is evil becomes good and good becomes evil.
But this is nothing new. About 500 years before Christ, Isaiah 5:20 wrote, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." During his ministry, Isaiah saw a reversal of moral values taking place in Israel. People were pushing to make the evils of murder, idolatry and sexual perversion to be acceptable, even good. Isaiah gave them many stern warnings most of which, sadly, they did not heed.
A wise man once said that to change people's minds, you first make the unthinkable thinkable. Then you make it acceptable, and eventually the acceptable will become preferable.
Sound familiar? Our world today pushes relativism in almost everything, resulting in biblical values being trashed. The best way we Christians can avoid this disturbing trend is by devotion to God's word. Only through reading the Word, hearing the Word and living by the Word can we discern what is really good and evil. And only in knowing the Truth can we teach it to our future generations.
Jesus saw evil made into good in His day, and we see it as well. To combat this we must first open our eyes to see what is happening around us. And then we need to combat evil with the truth. Jesus didn't condemn sinners, but He did condemn their sin. He forgave the repentant, but He warned people to follow the truth. He was especially hard on those who believed they had some special relationship with God based on inheritance rather than faith.
No one is born directly into the Kingdom. There will be no denominations in heaven. We all must come to it by faith in Jesus. Christianity is a living faith that rejects the evil and follows the good. Satan's ways must never become ours. We must stand fast in our Lord, who is the Truth, the Way and the Life, the only way to God the Father.
God has no grandchildren....
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
TRUE "STARS" IN LIFE
I am an admirer of Ben Stein. He's a homely, short little guy in tennis shoes whose appearance hides the fact that he is also a world-class economist and a great writer with a fine mind. A favorite cousin sent me his last article of "Monday Night at Morton's," written for many years at Morton's Restaurant about the Hollywood stars he meets there.
Ben Stein says he realizes now that the stars for us to emulate are not those who recite someone else's lines in front of a camera for an eight-figure salary. True stars are the soldiers, airmen, sailors, nurses, firemen, cops, EMTs, teachers and all kinds of caregivers who put their lives on the line every day to help people who need it.
I dedicate today's WEEKLY MESSAGE to a friend named Ron and to all those others who Ben Stein's words describe so well:
"I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters. This is my highest and best use as a human. I can put it another way. Years ago, I realized I could never be as great an actor as Olivier or as good a comic as Steve Martin...or Martin Mull or Fred Willard--or as good an economist as Samuelson or Friedman or as good a writer as Fitzgerald. Or even remotely close to any of them.
"But I could be a devoted father to my son, husband to my wife and, above all, a good son to the parents who had done so much for me. This came to be my main task in life. I did it moderately well with my son, pretty well with my wife and well indeed with my parents (with my sister's help). I cared for and paid attention to them in their declining years. I stayed with my father as he got sick, went into extremis and then into a coma and then entered immortality with my sister and me reading him the Psalms.
"This was the only point at which my life touched the lives of the soldiers in Iraq or the firefighters in New York . I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters and that it is my duty, in return for the lavish life God has devolved upon me, to help others He has placed in my path. This is my highest and best use as a human.
"Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will."
Thanks, Ben, for telling us the truth for today.
Ben Stein says he realizes now that the stars for us to emulate are not those who recite someone else's lines in front of a camera for an eight-figure salary. True stars are the soldiers, airmen, sailors, nurses, firemen, cops, EMTs, teachers and all kinds of caregivers who put their lives on the line every day to help people who need it.
I dedicate today's WEEKLY MESSAGE to a friend named Ron and to all those others who Ben Stein's words describe so well:
"I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters. This is my highest and best use as a human. I can put it another way. Years ago, I realized I could never be as great an actor as Olivier or as good a comic as Steve Martin...or Martin Mull or Fred Willard--or as good an economist as Samuelson or Friedman or as good a writer as Fitzgerald. Or even remotely close to any of them.
"But I could be a devoted father to my son, husband to my wife and, above all, a good son to the parents who had done so much for me. This came to be my main task in life. I did it moderately well with my son, pretty well with my wife and well indeed with my parents (with my sister's help). I cared for and paid attention to them in their declining years. I stayed with my father as he got sick, went into extremis and then into a coma and then entered immortality with my sister and me reading him the Psalms.
"This was the only point at which my life touched the lives of the soldiers in Iraq or the firefighters in New York . I came to realize that life lived to help others is the only one that matters and that it is my duty, in return for the lavish life God has devolved upon me, to help others He has placed in my path. This is my highest and best use as a human.
"Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will."
Thanks, Ben, for telling us the truth for today.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
DENYING THE TRUTH
Yesterday, Memorial Day, I drove through a local cemetery and saw all the flags, representing those who had served their country, many of whom had given their lives in doing so. For that reason, it's good to have cemeteries. They help us not forget. I find it saddening that so many have already forgotten.
But I find it amazing there are those who can stare directly into the face of truth and deny it. Denial of truth is encouraged in many parts of our world today. A huge block of the world's population now denies there was a holocaust. Others deny communism has taken many lives, despite the hundred million who died this past century in the Russia block, China, Cambodia and Viet Nam. Many believe the Salem Witch Trials resulted in the death of tens of thousands, despite historical data showing its numbers to be 25-50 people at most. Still others even deny the truth of what happened Sept. 11, 2001.
Last March my niece, an Air Force Academy cadet, took a short trip to Bucharest, Romania, with three other cadets and an officer. Though attending a conference, they were able to visit some sites with the aid of a guide. More than the sites, most memorable to all five was learning that a significant portion of the Romanian people believe the events of 9-11-01 did not really happen. Their guide insisted on the fakery of the twin towers destruction and Pentagon, that it was the result of special effects staged to provoke the war against Iraq and Afghanistan. No amount of reason seemed to sway him that on 9-11-01 planes flown by terrorists actually did kill 2,900 people.
I wonder how many Americans believe the same. Historically, groups of people have always chosen to believe falsehoods, especially when it fed the fires of their passion. But in today's climate of scientific provability, one would think things as huge as 9-11-01 or the holocaust could not possibly be denied.
One would also think that His miracles would prove that Jesus was greater than those around Him, possibly even the Messiah. In plain view of enemies and friends, He cured lepers, the blind, the deaf and the lame. In front of 5000 He multiplied a few buns and dried fish into a hundred baskets of food. He walked on water, turned water into wine, rose from the dead and appeared to hundreds alive. But that's not enough for some folks. It's easier to believe one's own version than see truth as it really is.
Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) This is the ultimate truth that no one can change. Deny it, yes - but change it, no. Jesus is the only way to God. No one will come to the Father except through faith in His Son. Trusting what He did on Calvary and in the open tomb are all that is necessary for our salvation.
If you find yourself in the presence of someone who denies obvious truth, stand up for what you believe.
But I find it amazing there are those who can stare directly into the face of truth and deny it. Denial of truth is encouraged in many parts of our world today. A huge block of the world's population now denies there was a holocaust. Others deny communism has taken many lives, despite the hundred million who died this past century in the Russia block, China, Cambodia and Viet Nam. Many believe the Salem Witch Trials resulted in the death of tens of thousands, despite historical data showing its numbers to be 25-50 people at most. Still others even deny the truth of what happened Sept. 11, 2001.
Last March my niece, an Air Force Academy cadet, took a short trip to Bucharest, Romania, with three other cadets and an officer. Though attending a conference, they were able to visit some sites with the aid of a guide. More than the sites, most memorable to all five was learning that a significant portion of the Romanian people believe the events of 9-11-01 did not really happen. Their guide insisted on the fakery of the twin towers destruction and Pentagon, that it was the result of special effects staged to provoke the war against Iraq and Afghanistan. No amount of reason seemed to sway him that on 9-11-01 planes flown by terrorists actually did kill 2,900 people.
I wonder how many Americans believe the same. Historically, groups of people have always chosen to believe falsehoods, especially when it fed the fires of their passion. But in today's climate of scientific provability, one would think things as huge as 9-11-01 or the holocaust could not possibly be denied.
One would also think that His miracles would prove that Jesus was greater than those around Him, possibly even the Messiah. In plain view of enemies and friends, He cured lepers, the blind, the deaf and the lame. In front of 5000 He multiplied a few buns and dried fish into a hundred baskets of food. He walked on water, turned water into wine, rose from the dead and appeared to hundreds alive. But that's not enough for some folks. It's easier to believe one's own version than see truth as it really is.
Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) This is the ultimate truth that no one can change. Deny it, yes - but change it, no. Jesus is the only way to God. No one will come to the Father except through faith in His Son. Trusting what He did on Calvary and in the open tomb are all that is necessary for our salvation.
If you find yourself in the presence of someone who denies obvious truth, stand up for what you believe.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
TRUTH SETS US FREE
In the past I have tried to stay away from airing politically charged opinions, but I don't think I can or should any longer. I am retired, so I don't have to please those who employ me. I no longer represent a church body, so I need not fear church and state issues. I have a small readership, but no one is required to keep reading WEEKLY MESSAGE. If I have something to say, and technology and freedom allow me, now is the time to say it.
Today we are in a downward spiral in America, politically as well as economically. I used to say no President or Congress could change the course of government all that much. I figured government has so many policies and programs in place that require the status quo that we don't have to worry who is leading us on Capitol Hill. America would just keep going along much as it always has.
I was wrong about that. Using the economic downturn as a springboard, our President and Congress have set in motion enough new things that will probably change our nation's course forever.
I wonder if politicians ever dreamed all this could fall into their laps so easily. There has always been the leftist desire to spread the wealth, but could anyone have imagined that things in the economy would come together to bring this about so quickly and easily?
God always gives us the government we deserve. This was true in Old Testament and New Testament times and it's still true. Thus, we must deserve our current leadership which is bent on turning American from capitalism to socialism. Our elected leaders truly believe what they are doing is right. I do not believe DC politicians are floundering around, as some say, but that they are doing just what they want and believe is the right thing to do. And I'm sure they are amazed at how well and quickly they are doing it.
I do not know if our present political leadership will accomplish all they are planning, but I do know the road ahead for America is going to be much rougher than the road behind. Given our fear of our political incorrectness, as well as our general inability to comprehend God's Truth, America will probably continue to slide more and more away from personal freedom and towards collectivist socialism.
A News station today said polls reflect that only 21% now call themselves Republican while 53% call themselves Democrat. Those figures are not about political party membership; they show our rapid shift to the left, away from personal responsibility and towards a nanny state. They show a radical knee-jerk reaction to the past. They show what people are hoping will happen in the future. "Change You Can Believe In" has duped a majority of our nation. It is change for the worse.
Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." His Truth, of course, is about eternal life by faith, but the principle behind what He said is the best we can follow. The truth does set people free, if they are willing to stand firm in it. The reason so many are giving up their freedoms today is because they are giving up being Christ's disciples. They are running away from Jesus towards all sorts of shallow humanistic trends.
Perhaps they are running in fear of the few who are turning our titanic ship of state around, directly into the path of the iceberg. Unless Americans rediscover the Truth, they will never be set free by the Truth. We are never set free by giving up freedom. True freedom comes only when we trust Jesus Christ as Lord, and then try our best to do what He tells us. Freedom does not come from turning over to government decisions we ourselves should make.
As sinners, we will always fail to do all that's right, but we must still try to do as much good as we can in our homes, churches and communities. The secret to a good society is individual responsibility of the citizen, not government programs. God forgives those who realize their error, and when they seek the Truth, He gives them strength to do what is right.
May God give Americans the faith to trust in Jesus Christ, the courage to speak the Truth in love, and the desire to do whatever it takes to keep the ship out of the path of the iceberg.
The Truth can still set us free!
Today we are in a downward spiral in America, politically as well as economically. I used to say no President or Congress could change the course of government all that much. I figured government has so many policies and programs in place that require the status quo that we don't have to worry who is leading us on Capitol Hill. America would just keep going along much as it always has.
I was wrong about that. Using the economic downturn as a springboard, our President and Congress have set in motion enough new things that will probably change our nation's course forever.
I wonder if politicians ever dreamed all this could fall into their laps so easily. There has always been the leftist desire to spread the wealth, but could anyone have imagined that things in the economy would come together to bring this about so quickly and easily?
God always gives us the government we deserve. This was true in Old Testament and New Testament times and it's still true. Thus, we must deserve our current leadership which is bent on turning American from capitalism to socialism. Our elected leaders truly believe what they are doing is right. I do not believe DC politicians are floundering around, as some say, but that they are doing just what they want and believe is the right thing to do. And I'm sure they are amazed at how well and quickly they are doing it.
I do not know if our present political leadership will accomplish all they are planning, but I do know the road ahead for America is going to be much rougher than the road behind. Given our fear of our political incorrectness, as well as our general inability to comprehend God's Truth, America will probably continue to slide more and more away from personal freedom and towards collectivist socialism.
A News station today said polls reflect that only 21% now call themselves Republican while 53% call themselves Democrat. Those figures are not about political party membership; they show our rapid shift to the left, away from personal responsibility and towards a nanny state. They show a radical knee-jerk reaction to the past. They show what people are hoping will happen in the future. "Change You Can Believe In" has duped a majority of our nation. It is change for the worse.
Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." His Truth, of course, is about eternal life by faith, but the principle behind what He said is the best we can follow. The truth does set people free, if they are willing to stand firm in it. The reason so many are giving up their freedoms today is because they are giving up being Christ's disciples. They are running away from Jesus towards all sorts of shallow humanistic trends.
Perhaps they are running in fear of the few who are turning our titanic ship of state around, directly into the path of the iceberg. Unless Americans rediscover the Truth, they will never be set free by the Truth. We are never set free by giving up freedom. True freedom comes only when we trust Jesus Christ as Lord, and then try our best to do what He tells us. Freedom does not come from turning over to government decisions we ourselves should make.
As sinners, we will always fail to do all that's right, but we must still try to do as much good as we can in our homes, churches and communities. The secret to a good society is individual responsibility of the citizen, not government programs. God forgives those who realize their error, and when they seek the Truth, He gives them strength to do what is right.
May God give Americans the faith to trust in Jesus Christ, the courage to speak the Truth in love, and the desire to do whatever it takes to keep the ship out of the path of the iceberg.
The Truth can still set us free!
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