July 2, 2010

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

American the beautiful - God shed His grace on thee!

Indeed, He did!

What nation in the history of nations has ever been so blessed by God! In just two and a third centuries the USA has become the wealthiest, mightiest, most generous, and most advanced people ever to populate the planet.

The world is a better place because America showed up! Our nation became great because it was founded on eternal principles of grace and truth! It is hard to study the founding documents and not see the grace, goodness and inspiration of Almighty God! Just a cursory study of the Founding Fathers writings and quotes reveal their understanding of the role the Bible and Divine Providence played in the establishment of this nation.

With freedom comes opportunity - opportunity for good and opportunity for greed. Both happen is a free nation. Fortunately, over the first two centuries there has been much more good than there has been greed. For the most part America has been guided by the moral compass built into it by the Founders and as a result, God has graced it with His blessings.

But, as our people have drifted away from founding principles and from the God of the Fathers, it has been more difficult for God to bless us. When the sins of a nation exceed the goodness of that nation, grace turns to dis-grace and the wise words of Solomon become true - "sin is a disgrace to any people."

When a nation removes the Bible and Biblical principles from its educational system, that is a disgrace!

When a nation opposes prayer in public school and public places, that is a disgrace!

When a nation assaults the Ten Commandments to discredit their authority, that is a disgrace!

When a nation twists the Constitution to make it support the murder of unborn children, that is a disgrace!

When a nation tries to undermind the family and the sacred institution of marriage, that is a disgrace!

Sin in every form is a disgrace because it "disses" grace! Sin is a disgrace because it separates us from the grace of God!

What can you do?

A nation is made up of people. You are a person - free person! You have an opportunity to grace your nation with the goodness of God and His truth. With opportunity comes responsibility. Responsible use of freedom allows God to shed His grace on that people.

Grace or DIS-grace? It is up to you!

July 1, 2010

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

What does it mean when a nation is exalted? That sounds like a good thing, but how good is it? What are some specific benefits wrought by righteousness?

Let me share at least three things that are meant by "exalted".

Exalted means "lifted".

Righteousness lifts a nature and a culture. It lifts the morality of that people. It lifts the civility of that society. The morale of that nation is higher than cultures where people don't value righteousness. Doing the right things obviously results in positive and constructive outcomes.

Exalted means "lightened".

Righteousness flows from truth. Truth originates in the character and very nature of God. With God as your source and His Word as your resource there is going to be knowledge and wisdom. Jesus said that He is "the light of the world". When you have Jesus you have light and in Him is no darkness. From the light of God's Word, truth and wisdom beam forth revealing what is right and what is wrong. Being "lightened" by righteousness leads to rightness in actions, attitudes, values and moral decisions.

Exalted means "liberated".

A people who are lifted by the truth and lightened by the truth will find freedom and liberty from His Word. Truth results in freedom. Ignorance leads to bondage. Ignorance leads to confusion and doubts. Ignorance leads to strife and fear.

A people lifted by truth and lightened by truth are free to become who they want to become in Christ. They will act right and have the right attitudes which will enrich their relationships and increase their opportunities for freedom. Listening to His truth and living in His truth shape a godly character that is free to pursue godliness.

How is a nation exalted by righteousness? Simple!

A nation is exalted by people who are lifted by the righteousness of God's Word. As a result they tend to think right, which leads to right decisions, which translates into godly living. Godly living results in lifting God high in the estimation of those who may be seeking for solid answers. God is exalted by the practical everyday decisions, actions and values you make.

A nation is exalted when lighted by the truth of God's Word and the principles it gives to live by. It makes better decisions and is better able to make quality decisions. Truth reveals the right thing to do in all decisions, and clarifies the application of that truth in daily situations. God is exalted by a people who know and show His truth.

A nation is exalted when God's children live in the liberty of His knowledge and His love. God's children live within the law and finds freedom in self-governing his thoughts, feelings, and atutides. An ignorant nation will not endure as a free nation. Study history. You will see.

I know you love the USA and desire to see her rise to the exalted standard. You, af all people will understand the value of self-governing and liberty of self-discipline. God WILL set you free!

"Righteousness, or rightness, allows God to get involved personally in that project. God will be strong and powerful in the life of those who have chosen to walk in the light of His power and glory. And over time, people will be set free and God will be glorified!

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!

June 29, 2010

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

This verse should be blazoned on the consciousness of every legislator, civic leader and elected official in America.

Why is that?

Because it "exalts a nation".

How does it do that?

I mentioned that righteousness is a commitment to do the right thing. That is true and it is important to do the right thing.

However, there is something even more important about righteousness. Righteousness is not just a commitment - it is a connection to the righteousness of God. Righteousness enables you to do right by making you right so you can connect with the Righteous God. Righteousness gets God involved in the life of the nation. So, when you say "righteousness" exalts a nation you are saying that God and godly living lifts up a nation. There can be little doubt of that.

Let's put faith aside for a moment and just approach this from a common sense point of view. Doesn't it sound better to have God active in the life of a nation? If God is not involved and if His power and influence are not active, what will be? When goodness and rightness are removed, what remains? What is the antithesis of rightness? What is the alternative to goodness?

If you have respect for the Founding Fathers, then I assume you would respect their views on the role of righteousness in the formation and survival of a nation. Consider this!

Did you know that 52 of the 55 signers of "The Declaration of Independence" were orthodox, deeply committed, Christians? The other three all believed in the Bible as the divine truth, the God of scripture, and His personal intervention.

"While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader . . . If virtue and knowledge are diffused among the people, they will never be enslaved. This will be their great security." - Samuel Adams

"We shall not fight alone. God presides over the destinies of nations, and will raise up friends for us. The battle is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave . . . Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry, in a speech March 23, 1775.

"The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His Apostles.... This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free constitutions of government." - Noah Webster

"The only foundation for a useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without virtue there can be no liberty- - -" - Benjamin Rush, Letters of Benjamin Rush, L.H. Butterfield, editor, Princeton: The American Philosophical Society, 1951, Vol. I p. 414, "To the citizens of Philadelphia: A Plan for Free Schools", March 28, 1787

A modicum of research will make it abundantly clear why America became a great nation with an exalted position in the world. Our Founders established this country upon righteousness because of their individual and collective connections with God!

How is your connection?

June 28, 2010

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

Leading up to this week-end's 234th celebration of America's freedom, I am going to explore some of the things that has made the USA an exceptional place. And it IS an exceptional place!

In just a dozen words, Solomon, who knew about greatness, captures its essence. "Rigtheousness" is the key word.

I contend it is impossible to understand the greatness of America without comprehending the vital role righteousness plays.

So, what about righteousness? What it is you need to understand?

The first aspect of righteousness that is significant is justice. Notice, I said "justice" and not "fairness". God has no real interest in fairness but He is extremely interested in justice. Why?

Justice presumes a moral standard. Justice acknowledges that there is a right and there is a wrong according to an absolute standard. For the Founding Fathers that absolute moral standard was the Ten Commandments. Don't take my word for it:

"We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We’ve staked the future of all our political institutions upon our capacity…to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” - James Madison, 1778 to the General Assembly of the State of Virginia

“ The Law given from Sinai [The Ten Commandments] was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code.” - John Quincy Adams. Letters to his son. p. 61

“All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.” - Noah Webster. History. p. 339

When you begin to grasp the thinking of these great men, when you get your mind around the concept of justice then you gain a better understanding of the importance of righteousness. Righteousness at its elementary level is "rightness". You can paraphrase this verse to say, "Rightness exalts a nation....."

America has been exalted as a nation because it has always valued "rightness" and has sought to reconcile unjust situations based on this absolute standard of "rightness".

America is great because America seeks to be right!

June 27, 2010

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery" also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:8-13

Remember when you were in school and your teacher tried to challenge by reminding you that the grade you earned for this class would go on your "permanent record"?

Sometimes that motivated you and sometimes it didn't. Your permanent record only mattered if you were concerned about your long-term success. The contents of your permanent record could help open or close some doors for you in the future.

If you weren't concerned about your future, your "permanent record" didn't matter to you. Maybe at that point in your life you were more concerned about spending time with your friends or watching TV or playing video games or anything more pleasurable than studying!

In this portion of Scripture James reminds you that you have a "permanent record" and how you treat others goes on your "permanent record". When it comes time to determine your eternal destination God will look at your "permanent record" and reward you accordingly.

If you believe your "permanent record" matters, make sure you show love and respect to others. Always be sure you treat others as you like to be treated. Don't prejudge others and don't let your prejudices prevent you from helping connect people with God. Your purpose must always be more important than your personal preferences.

Make sure your "permanent record" is pleasing to God. If it is, you'll become permanent!

June 26, 2010

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2: 12-13

How do you respond under pressure?

It has been suggested that who you are under pressure is revealing of who you really are. I tend to believe that.

You must keep in mind as you read and study James that these are Christians under pressure. Pressure most of us have never known, the pressure of persecution.

As James describes what faith should look like and how people of faith should live, it is being lived out under pressure. Faith is giving your best when life deals the worst! Do you return mercy for malice?

In these verses he reminds you that you will be judged and your faith will be judged based on how well your actions and attitudes match those of the Savior. If you say you have faith but do not demonstrate love your faith will be judged as insincere.

The context for faith in this instance is within the meeting of believers. How do you show love to a guests who comes into you meeting? Do you size them up or do you serve them? Do you act differently to a wealthy looking person than to a shabbily dressed one? Faith looks for what it can give rather than what it can gain. Here's an example:

In his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during his student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered converting to Christianity. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. When he entered the sanctuary, however, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested that he ought to worship with his own people. Gandhi left the church and never returned, “If Christians have caste differences also, “ he said, “I might as well remain a Hindu.” That usher’s prejudice not only betrayed Jesus but also turned a person away from trusting Him as Savior.

Bad judgment.

Your faith is being continually judged by how you treat others. You will be ultimately judged by how you treat others. If you want to be judged mercifully, give mercy. Show kindness and love to whoever comes into your fellowship. Start tomorrow at church!