THE SWAMP
One of the most prescient observers of American culture was Alexis de Tocqueville. His classic, "Democracy in America," (1840) discerned and declared; "America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." That greatness and goodness of America he said, was to be found in its churches. He reminded us that when the churches no longer hold to a high moral standard, America would no longer be great.
Tocqueville described two political realities, that could put in danger the moral standard of America. First he said, "A decline of public morals in the United States will probably be marked by the abuse of the power of impeachment as a means of crushing political adversaries or ejecting them from office." Talk about being relevant!!! Second, concerning corruption: The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money. (I think he got this truth from Cicero.)
A more recent prescient voice has predicted that Christian morality and American society would be challenged and changed by what is called "The Revolt of the Elites," written about in a book by Christopher Lasch with the same title in 1994. The so-called 'Swamp' is being run by the elite ruling class, something the founders of America were seeking to eliminate. ("We the people" have been replaced with "those corrupt Politicians.") Years of self-interest, combined with an entitlement mindset, based on a soft skid toward socialism, and the road to serfdom is almost complete.
America is not only great it is also exceptional. But let it never be forgotten the reason it is exceptional and great is the influence and impact of the church of Jesus Christ. The church is the pillar of truth, the salt and the light. We the people.... We the Church, must know the truth, live the truth and speak the truth. The truth must be manifested through beliefs and behavior that demonstrates the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount and displays the fruit of the Spirit. (Matthew 5:1-10, Gal 5:22-26) Read and reflect on these standards of spirituality.
And remember, as George Orwell reminds us;
"The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it."
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us,
Fred