"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."
