I hope my readers do not mind me taking some time to post a few spiritual thoughts of a Christian but non-denominational and somewhat secular nature.
I haven't ever stated my religious denomination on here and I don't know that I will. Suffice it to say despite believing my religion to be correct, I do not believe that only members of it will be in good standing before God after this life. I also do not believe that people who do not believe in it will suffer in a fiery hell the instant they are snuffed out of this life or at any time after this life for simply not believing it in this life nor do I believe they will even be in danger of standing condemned before God for that being the case. This in mind, I am very comfortable with people believing differently than me and consider them equals and often only hope I can attain the same graces and strengths they have acquired as individuals in my attempts to become a better person.
We are in trouble in this country. There are forces at work here that did exist at our nation's birth but that weren't as widespread as they are now. One of them is the inability to simply recognize truth and a lot of virtue, everyday virtue has been lost. If I can quote 1st Timothy 3 – see what you see here in our day, this is Paul prophesying.
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Spiritual truth or secular truth, all truth I might say is of God, and whether they believe in God or not, there is a definite intellectual failing and complete inability on the parts of many in this nation who are supportive of the destruction of our freedom – of their freedom! Ever try to argue with a liberal?
And as far as a truce breaker goes, while this does use the word truce, a truce is a promise, and I think we could include “promise breaker” in there with that, and false accusers as well....look around! Do we have false accusers in our government (who accuse and demand laws be passed without having read the bill? Is that dishonest? Is it immoral? Is it corrupt? You betcha! These are the types I fear for spiritually.)
Incontinent? This in the old English essentially means they have no self control and I personally believe is a reference to the inability to refrain from gratifying ones self sexually and someone who will do anything to fulfill it.
And having a form of godliness....yes, there is a messiah in which everyone has recently slathered their cars with bumper stickers and put their hope in him the anointed one....
While we try to inform ourselves in this world and then ask “What do I do? What can I do to stop all this?” I think the answer for us is simpler and yet harder to believe and put our trust in: simply learn what is right and then do what is right. Do what is right in your personal life every day. The influence of this goes much farther than we like to think. But beyond this, it's the one thing we have the most control over.
I just like this scripture:Ephesians 6:12
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Imagine what a world we would live in if everyone began to not only do what is right (don't confuse right and good, there's a lot of things people will justify in the name of good but that aren't right).
I know, “yeah right, like that will happen.” Well, I'm not planning on it happening. But I'm saying imagine what it would be like if it did. Just think of all that would be impacted. Now if you're the type that says “well, yeah, duh! I already know that!” I might say – “I don't think you do.”
When we take time to think about the things we “already know” we often can find a new angle or a new appreciation for things we've just glossed over and have lost a special appreciation for anymore. But at any rate – just think of what would be different. What about the housing crisis that was engineered by the government as well as furthered by people who signed up for stuff they shouldn't have and took on debts they knew they couldn't repay? What about people who come into a country and demand welfare and say they are entitled to it and protest when they are not given what they want? Are these the types of people who should become citizens or be allowed to vote? What about ridiculing a religion and blaspheming it (I believe that was on the list above given by Paul) just because people disagree with it and stirring up conflict within and against it? What about claiming they are entitled to certain things because they are a good person and someone else should pay for them? These things are not right, people. Neither are they strong foundations, or foundations at all, for a civilization to be built on. Nor can such a civilization that embraces such foolishness expect to thrive or prosper long.
Unfortunately in our own lives there is a tendency to say “Well I only did x,y,z but HEEEEEE did THIS THAT AND THE OTHER THING and that is WAY worse than me! He's going to hell!”
Saying that won't really improve our state, our lives or our country any. Its the gratification of pride and the excusing from personal responsibility and an exercise in ego and ultimately is destructive to a degree.
A people who can govern themselves, who know the difference between right and wrong – don't need a government to tell it to them or to set a million laws in place destroying freedom under the guise of protecting people. And most certainly, a corrupt government should not be the one doing all the law making either. And we can recognize it and write to our leaders and let them know we are onto them, and vote against them, but also live right in our own personal lives and be accountable as much as possible. I might suggest, put our faith and trust in God on all this after all that.
Do what is right let the consequence follow – all else will fall into place after that. We can't always overthrow an administration or move the world currents but we can do what is right in our own sphere of influence. And when a million people do that....things begin to change.
There is a reason our national motto is “In God We Trust.” Its because we believe that by living the principles laid out in those Judeo-Christian values we will be free and we recognize God as the author of it and they did make us free! And even if we do not believe in God, if we can recognize those principles as being good then that's something and I have no doubt those principles will continue to bless us.
But when we begin to look to other means to secure our freedom, and begin to excuse ourselves for our shortcomings while pointing at others, begin to lie about others in order to achieve an end, begin to subvert the will of the people in order to achieve an end or gratify pride, or believe we are entitled to something we are capable of providing for ourselves at the expense of others....then the end is truly nigh and the civilization that believes this will not last much longer as those beliefs translate into actions and become national policy.
I believe we need to turn back to those principles that made us free (The ten commandments would be a great place to start) and which were present in the first place and not allow our baser instincts such as fear and greed become the rudders or compass by which we guide our lives and elect our government.
