Interesting events during the past week. As President Obama held a reception honoring gay rights activism a representative from the state of Oklahoma spoke out against the degenerating morals of America and said that the loss of biblical values in America was the cause of our troubles. We have embraced lifestyles and values which directly contradict the teaching of scripture and, as a result, are subject to the wrath of God upon our nation. Is that really true? Is abortion and euthenasia wrong? Is promoting and accepting the gay lifestyle in America wrong? Is promoting divorce and infidelity in marriage wrong? Have we really come into a time when God is judging America? I think that I would agree with Sally Kern in saying yes! But some would say, "How is God judging America?" Well, we could point to the threat and reality of terrorism even on our own American soil as a sign of judgement. We could sight the increase and intensity of violence in America. But I think it is much more than that - God in dealing with the children of Israel who had been rebellious against Him merely let them have their own way. God gave them what they wanted but sent leanness into their souls. God speaks in Romans 1 of people who constantly suppress (cover up, hold down) the truth that He gives them up to a depraved mind and degrading passions, letting them have their own way knowing that it will bring them to destruction. Sometimes that's what I seem to be observing in America - people thinking that they know more than God, getting their own way, and then suffering the consequences of it, but still not turning to God.
Cotton Mather, pastor of the Old North Church in Boston, graduate of Harvard at age 18, and considered to be the most intelligent man in New England of his time wrote in his epoch work 'Magnalia Christi Amercana" that in America "religion begat prosperity and the daugther devoured the mother." How true! It seems that we have forgotten the author of liberty - the Lord God Jehovah.
It is God who is the author of liberty, not government. Even our forefathers stated so in our very Declaration of Independence. But how do we protect the liberty which comes to us from God. For if we do not protect our liberty, we will lose our liberty. Ronald Reagan said that if we fail to recognize that we are one nation under God, then we will become a nation gone under.
Let's listen to John Adams, our 2nd President:
June 21, 1776 - " Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free Constitiution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our people in a greater measure, than they have it now, they may change their rulers and their form of government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty."
Diary, July 26, 1796 - "The Christian Religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of Wisdom, Virtue, Equity, and Humantiy."
Letter to Jefferson June 28, 1813 - "Now I will avow, that I then believe, that those general Principles of Christianity, are as eternal and immutable, as the existence and attributes of God; and that those principles of Liberty, are as unalterable as human nature and our terrestrial, mundane system."
Letter to Jefferson December 25, 1813 - "I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen."
How about cousin, Samuel Adams, the Father of the American Revolution in his writing on the "Rights of Colonists" 1772 - "The right to freedom being the gift of the Almighty... The rights of colonists as Christians. . . may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institution of the Great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly and written and promulgated in the New Testament."
Adams again - "He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man. . . The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people."
Virtue, moral excellence, righteousness in our own lives is the greatest protector of liberties as we live in obedience to the principles of liberty outlined in the Bible, God's Word. May we return this day to the liberty we have in Christ and not be entangled again with the bondage of our own ways.
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"Morality and religion will not invite or secure the blessing of God. They never have, and they never will. A more moral America, a more moral and religious America, does not advance in divine favor one inch." - John MacArthur
ReplyDeleteThough I agree with John MacArthur on almost everything he says, I do not always agree with him on matters concerning a Providential view of history. Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." Deuteronomy 28 lists blessings and curses upon those nations that recognize and honor him. Liberty is not hte freedom to do what I want, but the freedom to do what is right according to God's law.
ReplyDeleteI must confess that I have a high regard for Mr. McArthur, which makes me think that he has a good reason and argument backing his statement. One thing that I cannot help but notice is that the majority of your proof-texting comes from the OT, which was nullified under the new Covenant. I believe God does not deal with nations and people as he once did, before the grace of Christ came to reign upon the earth. He deals with mercy, despite our sins. He will not turn our back on us, for he has sent the Spirit to live within us.
ReplyDeleteII Timothy 3: 16,17 says that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be furnished, thoroughly equipped unto all good works."
ReplyDeletePeter spoke of the writings of scripture saying that no scripture was of private interpretation but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. II Peter 1:20,21
Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount that He did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. Matthew 5:17
Jesus spoke in Matthew 25:31-46 that there was coming a day when the nations would be judged according to their works.
Paul spoke in Romans 14:10-12 saying that one day each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Galatians 6:7,8 says that we are not to be decieved for God is not mocked - we will reap what we sow.
The book of Revelation is a book which not only outlines the glories of Christ's return and the new heaven and new earth, but is filled with the judgement of God upon men and nations.