June 30, 2010

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people." Proverbs 14:34

By now you should know what righteousness is and where it comes from.

If you understand those simple truths then you should certainly appreciate its benefits!

According to King Solomon it is crucial for a nation to be committed to righteousness. We have seen that the Founding Fathers understood how fundamental it was to the future success of the nation they sought to establish. History records the exalted status America has achieved through its two and one-third centuries of existence.

So who is responsible to keep our nation in its exalted and righteous status? How does that happen?

Jesus proclaimed, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus makes it clear that God expects His people to used their righteous influence to positively impact the moral climate of their culture. He equates our moral influence to salt, giving a good flavor to the society in which we live and also purifying it and preserving it. Clearly, you and I as Christians should life the moral environment of where we live, where we work and even the places where we play. One simple truth confronts us, either we improve the morality of our world or it brings us down. If we don't make it better it will certainly make us worse. There is no neutral impact.

If living out the righteousness of God acts like salt in a culture, then practicing and proclaiming His truth acts like a light! Righteousness is the inner force that must be expressed through living out the truth of God's Word. The Bible refers to truth as light and anything less than truth as darkness. Nature proves that darkness and light do not coexist. Light dispells darkness and darkness only exists in the absence of light.

Are you concerned about the present condition of your beloved nation as you prepare to celebrate America's Independence for the 234th time? You should be. We are a disgraced nation.

You can despair or you can begin the repair! The solution is not in Washington DC or in Richmond or in any other capitol in our nation. To exalt your nation, commit to righteousness! To commit to righteousness connect with the Righteous One and then live in relationship with Him and His truth will shine through your life. Exalting our nation is the responsibility of God's people - The Church, The Body of Christ! That is you! That is me!

Do you consider yourself a patriot? Patriots are prayerful, purified, and principled people through whom the power of God can work! God exalts a nation through people like that!