A Christian Nation?

Warning -- the following may cause controversy. Read on with caution! (smile!)


Is the United States a secular state? The answer is an unequivocal 'yes!' And... I am glad for that fact! The founders of this nation were very familiar with the problems created when the Church was sponsored by the State and took pains to clearly separate the two. The King of England is head of the Anglican church. This keeps that church from speaking as freely as it might to the sins of the Crown. Many Europeans are taxed by the government to support the Church. Imagine the distress that would result from the IRS collecting a tax from you on behalf of say-- the Roman Catholic Church-- if she were the state-sponsored church!

Just because our government is without ties to a state-sponsored Church (thus, secular) does not mean that our government should make and/or enforce laws created without reference to morality or the values of our religious heritage. It is perfectly acceptable that our leaders allow their spiritual beliefs and values to inform their governing processes. A devout Catholic law-maker should be clear that the teaching of his church about the sacredness of human life is helping to shape his votes on issues relating to abortion, the death penalty, and euthanasia. A devout Baptist legislator should allow his ideals about human dignity and the natural rights conferred on him by his Creator inform the way in which he writes law. The religious convictions (or lack thereof) of those who govern should be transparent as they are part of his thought processes.

On this Independence Day, I appeal to you to think carefully about the rhetoric used by some Believers about making America a "Christian" nation. Look for the meaning behind those words.

IF they mean that we desire that others will become Christian as they come to know and love Jesus Christ, that is wonderful! We should choose godly people to govern and those godly people should create public policy and/or law that reflects the high values of Jesus Christ, who govern as true ‘public servants.’ Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn."

IF, by desiring a “Christian nation” they mean that our government endorses and supports churches based on a Christian creed, they are inviting trouble and division. What church, then, would we have the government endorse and/or support with public funds? The Catholic church? After all, it is the largest church in America. No? Well, then how about the Southern Baptists? They are the largest Protestant church in America. No? What about just making the government generically 'Christian?' OK, but what test does the government then apply to a church to see if it is truly 'Christian' before providing government funds to that body? Should your tax dollars be used to support the Church of the Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ (the Mormon church) since it claims to be 'Christian?'

Can you see the problems inherent with Church/State entanglement? Too frequently, Christians do not understand that many of the references they quote about being a godly nation are drawn from the Old Testament and reflect the fact that Israel was a theocracy, a people with a common faith in the LORD God, organized and governed by that shared faith. These United States are not like pre-Christian Israel. We are not a theocracy, nor do I believe that many thinking Christians would truly want this country to become one!

As we celebrate America’s birthday, I want to encourage you to several steps.
First, pray for those who are voted into office! Let us ask God to make them wise and just. Let us ask Him to bless them as they govern without partiality or self interest.
Second, OBEY the law for the sake of Christ! Romans 12 reminds us to 'obey the government for God is the one who put it there.'
Third, we pay our taxes! That same chapter says 'pay your taxes... for government workers need to be paid so they can do the work God intended them to do.'
Fourth, we give proper respect to those who hold office! A Believer may well express dissent from government policy. Indeed, when the policies of our government do not conform to God's standard of justice, mercy, and protection for the weak/poor persons in society-- we are obligated to raise our voice; but we do so while respecting the office and the people who hold that office.

Happy Independence Day!

My sincere prayer today is: God bless America that she may remain a great nation and may her greatness be used to create liberty and justice for ALL!

The Organizing Principle

I am a Christian. My life is organized around that commitment to Jesus Christ. My desire to know Him and to live as He taught is the core from which the rest of my life is conducted. From Him comes my hope. I use my time and resources in ways that I believe honor Jesus. I live in love, with forgiveness, seeking purity in my relationships as He taught. Is my every thought, word, and deed perfectly aligned with His will? Oh that they were, but they are not- not just yet. Sometimes I fail because of ignorance; sometimes because of indolence, and sometimes because of self-will!

What is the organizing principle of your life?
We all have one, even if we are not aware of what it is or are unable to put it into words. Is it to be happy, to have fun? Is it to be admired by others? Is it to find pleasure? Is it to gain wealth? Is it to control your world, to be ‘in charge?’

Jesus visited the home of his friends in Bethany. Martha set the household in motion to prepare dinner. In the middle of her efforts, she noticed her sister, Mary, sitting near Jesus, listening intently to Him. She exploded in frustration. “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” (Luke 10:40, NLT) Jesus did not share her frustration or sense of urgency. In fact, He challenged Martha’s basic organizing principle by commending Mary! "There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42, NLT) Martha’s life was built around things that were appreciated by others, but not eternal or Godly!

Take some time to think about what you’re living for, friend. Go beyond awareness of what you do to think about why you do it! It is quite possible for us to do all the right things for all the wrong reasons. Jesus pointed to the prayers, service, and giving of the Pharisees, commending their diligence while telling His disciples that it was all worthless – because they were not focused on pleasing God, but gaining admiration. Their organizing principle was creating a reputation for holiness rather than living holy lives that allowed them to be intimate with a holy God. The core was flawed and therefore their entire structure was wrong!

Ponder these words from the Word today. They are both full of hope and deeply challenging. Ask yourself if pursuing Christ and His rule is ‘the one thing’ that organizes all the rest of your life.
"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ, … I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. …

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." (Philippians 3:8, 10, 12-14, NLT)
________________________

I belong to a mighty God,
I belong to Jesus;
I'm guided by His staff and rod,
I belong to a mighty God.

I belong to the Holy One,
I belong to Jesus;
His work in me has just begun,
I belong to the Holy One.

I belong to the Lord of All,
I belong to Jesus;
I'll stand in Him and will not fall,
I belong to the Lord of All.

I am justified
By the good gift of the Lord;
And I will testify
That I belong to a mighty God,
I belong to a mighty God.

I Belong To A Mighty God
DeShazo, Lynn
© 1993 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055

Death Be Not Proud

John Donne, the English poet, wrote of the core hope of our Christian faith. In language typical of the time (1600) he reminds us that death is a defeated foe. I borrow his words to comfort my heart and renew my mind in hope today.


Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

The prose of the Word is clear that death will not triumph, though it roars in our faces.

"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:20-26, NIV)

_______________


Come, Lord Jesus and make me strong today.
Give me eyes that can see over the edge of time into eternity.
Help me, with that full assurance, to defeat despair, to stand steady in faith,
to invest my life in those things that will be true treasures in your House.

Amen.

Who is leading your leader?

Recent history is full of ‘spiritual’ leaders who were truly ‘the blind leading the blind!’ Some made tragic headlines. Remember the Rev. Jim Jones, the fiery orator and community activist from San Francisco who took his congregation to Guyana and led them to mass suicide? Vernon Howell, whom you probably remember as David Koresh, thought himself a prophet. He eventually found a home among a schismatic group called the Branch Davidians. His grandiosity (he came to believe he was Christ and above all human law) eventually caused the FBI to raid the Waco, Texas ranch he called home and we all remember the horror of the fiery raid that brought the death of 76 members including 17 children.

Most lost leaders don’t cause such sensational tragedies, but all leaderless leaders leave wrecked lives in their wake. Spiritual leaders who fail to stay submitted to Christ Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, and in a place of humble service to Body of Christ, will cause others to become disillusioned with the things of the Lord. They will ruin local churches by causing strife and will use natural strategies of power and intimidation to hold onto their position.

Jude wrote to the Church with this reminder. "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." (Jude 3-4, NIV) "These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage." (Jude 16, NIV)

Thousands of churches are led by good people, natural leaders with great skills, who are religious careerists, not called servants of Christ Jesus. They have great abilities that allow them to build remarkable organizations, but does their work produce disciples of Christ? It’s very difficult for the person in the pew, who wants to believe the best about the man who leads his church, to ask the hard questions about that man’s character and walk with God. But, you must. If you don’t, you risk being led by a leaderless leader! The pastor who is called by God and walking with Christ may find your scrutiny uncomfortable, but he will allow it, for he has nothing to hide.

Who is leading your pastor, disciple?
Does his life show evidence of a heart for God, that he is actively following Jesus Christ, allowing the Spirit to guide him from day to day?

Jude goes on to write, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (Jude 17-19, NIV)

Here’s a word from the Word. May it inspire you to build a strong church, led by those who are led by Christ!

"But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love." (Jude 20-21, NLT)
"Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen." (Jude 24-25, NLT)

__________________

The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the word.
From heav'n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.

Elect from ev'ry nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses;
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With ev'ry grace endued.

The Church's One Foundation
Stone, Samuel J. / Wesley, Samuel S.
© Public Domain

For the Love of God!

Some people just ‘go to work.’ Others anticipate doing what they do. Speaking with a young business owner this week, he talked about the long hours he puts into his enterprise, but not with complaint, not bemoaning the time. He said, “It’s my life.” He enjoys what he does and the people for whom he does it see his passion. If he didn’t love it, he would burn out, produce at an inferior level, and eventually lose his investment. A kind of love makes the difference.

Working with people who claim to love God every day of my life, I see some who are ‘doing their duty’ and some who just love God. Those who are just trying to stay respectable look for the minimal level of commitment. They are not eager for corporate worship, only showing up as often as they feel they must to keep the Lord happy and the pastor from calling them to inquire about their whereabouts. They do not invest in close relationships with other Christians or get involved in ministry, preferring to ‘do their own thing.’ Their Bible is dusty, their prayers stiffly formal, their concern for the spiritual health of friends and family non-existent.

There are those who have come to passionately love the Lord, for whom knowing Christ Jesus as Lord is ‘surpassing greatness’ so that all other things in life are ‘rubbish,’ in comparison! Jesus Christ is their first love, the One who gives their life purpose and meaning. Paul, who met the Lord and replaced his dutiful religious practices with a passionate love of God, said, "All the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness. I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself." (Philippians 3:6-10, The Message)

That kind of love is costly when observed from the outside by those who do not share it. If the devoted disciple is asked, “How can you do that? Isn’t it hard?” If he really loves the Lord his answer will be, “I don’t think of it in that way. It’s my life!”

So, Christian friend, from which motive do your Christian practices emerge– duty or delight?

Here’s a word from the Word. It is an appeal from the Lover of our souls.
“I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance.
I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.


“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first." (Revelation 2:2-5, NLT)

________________


All I once held dear,
Built my life upon,
All this world reveres,
And wars to own,
All I once thought gain
I have counted loss;
Spent and worthless now,
Compared to this.

Now my heart's desire
Is to know You more,
To be found in You,
And known as Yours,
To possess by faith
What I could not earn;
All surpassing gift of righteousness.

Oh to know the power of Your risen life,
And to know You in Your sufferings,
To become like You
In Your death, my Lord;
So with You to live, and never die.

Knowing You, Jesus, knowing You,
There is no greater thing.
You're my all, You're the best,
You're my joy, my righteousness,
And I love You, Lord.

Knowing You
Kendrick, Graham

© 1993 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services)

CCLI License No. 810055