The American Experiment: Part 2? |
America is a political experiment based on independence, but it is also built upon interdependence. Today we are witnessing both a political and social fracturing and a realignment through divisive division. The vision that once united is now dividing. This is due to another realignment that is evolving which at first was elusive to the eye but now is all too clear to see.
The “invisible hand” that held America together was not simply a political concept it was a theological commitment. The Founding
Fathers knew this and so did the people of our nation until now. John Adams declared: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Both of those descriptors seem to be in short supply today in both our government leaders and those who are governed.
You cannot extract our Christian foundation from our nation without experiencing collapse. And that is what we are seeing: moral collapse and governmental cowardice. As C. S. Lewis reminds us, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the end.”
The Apostle Paul lived in an age such as ours including corrupt leaders, a collapsing immoral society, and a civilization committed to worshiping the creature instead of the Creator. Paul’s advice for Timothy, his protege then, and for us today is clear.
“But you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord delivered me! And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Tim. 3:10-17
Sound words for us today in our wayward world.
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us,
Fred Chay
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