moral and religious

"If  anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." Written by James, the half brother of Jesus, his epistle, chapter 1 verses 26 and 27.

Many people I know have enjoyed American Freedom most all their lives. Rich or poor we are able to move about. But now a virus has caused such fear that we have allowed that freedom to be greatly restricted. Not only the simple freedom to move about but also the freedom to keep open businesses we have established for our livelihood. Additionally we are being challenged by politically motivated activists and community organizers who for a variety of reasons seek to overthrow local and state governments, and even our national government. That is what lies underneath the waves of black lives matter and antifa.

The United States has a unique government. It is not a democracy. It is a republic. The people are represented by those they choose and by those appointed by the ones they choose. Our sixth President John Adams is famously quoted saying, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Was he right? If he was the implications are sobering, because we live at a time when many Americans have no real and guiding identity as moral or religious persons.

It used to be said frequently of Jesus that "He has the whole world in his hands." It's not just a sweet or trite saying. After being raised from the dead Jesus told the disciples/apostles: "All power in heaven and earth is given unto me." Christians need not fear whatever troubles come their way in their short earthbound lives. The destiny of all Christians is secure. If you are a Christian when you die you go to heaven. God did not make any other place for Christians to go. Thank you Lord God and Hallelujah, you are good and your mercy endures forever.

But what of our remaining life on earth? What are the options, what are the opportunities for those saved through faith by the grace of God in Christ? I think they are many and varied. But what is God after? Certainly God is after our hearts! And he is after our hearts that our hearts be after him! Though the sin nature of all men rebels against it, what God wants is that we please him by living in accordance with his will, his way and his word. Our lives before God will be truly very much less complicated if we simply seek the will, way, and word of his Kingdom. A kingdom is a government. God's Kingdom is his Government. It's not a complicated democratic Republic with 3 counterbalancing branches.

How is it then that our complicated democratic Republic is suited only for a moral and religious people? My understanding is this, only a moral and religious people are capable of sustaining that Republic. Without a moral and religious people that Republic will not last. Are we at the "tipping point?" It seems that we are closer than ever to losing our moral grip on both national and local government.

The end must come. The Apostle Peter wrote to the church "The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers." For the sake of your prayers...! It wouldn't be a stretch to say "be moral and religious..." Peter continued, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." With no doubt I see these words (1st Peter 4:7 and 8) as a flawless strategy for the believers life on earth today... for "tomorrow never comes."