Pastor's Blog

Most immigrants in the 17^th century came for religious liberties fleeing government oppression.  Therefore, it seems reasonable to believe, that if we eliminate God from the equation of the American experiment, we eliminate the reason this nation first began. Most were devout Christians; some were deists’ and others were adventurers looking for their pot of gold. 

Let’s begin with our most famous deist, Benjamin Franklin, who exhorted the founders, “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God governs in the affairs of men . . . and if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire cannot rise without His aid?”

Here was a man who did not pretend to have an evangelical Christian belief, nevertheless, he realized that “unless the lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” It was a scary thought for Franklin to imagine that God be left out of the building of our nation.  To this day we still have prayer that is offered at the beginning of each session of Congress.  However, prayer needs to be a matter of conviction and desperation and not a mere formality.

Another founding father, Samuel Adams, wrote, “We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all men ought to be obedient.  He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come!”

I do not believe that Adams was referring to God setting up His kingdom in America, but to acknowledge that He is “sovereign” and we ought to obey His moral laws and look to Him for guidance and blessings.  Instead, too many government leaders completely ignore the moral laws of God and attempt to lead this country down a decadent slippery slope.  The latest example of this arrogance was displayed by our President who supported the depravity of homosexual marriage.  I could go on and on with many illustrations of this dangerous trend, but you get my point.

George Washington prayed, “And now, Almighty Father, if it is Thy holy will that we shall obtain a place and name among the nations of the Earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our gratitude for Thy goodness by our endeavors to fear and obey Thee.”

Washington, a devout Christian, had a great vision for America.  He believed that in generations beyond his, the United States would become a world power.  He also believed that we would be exalted to world supremacy only by the aid of God Almighty.  Unfortunately, our position as a super power is on the decline.  In many ways we have turned our back on God because we, in horrible pride, believe we have gained our world position without His aid.  We have ignored the biblical belief that “the one who borrows becomes a slave to the lender.”  We see this decline before our eyes every day.  Before long we may become subservient to countries, who, not long ago, were considered “developing nations.”

Another deist, Thomas Jefferson, declared, “God who gave us life, gave us liberty… and can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the Gift of God?”

We have witnessed in recent years the increased attacks on civil and religious liberties.  The present administration seems to have pulled out all the stops.  They have become very arrogant to believe they can get away with this suppression of rights by their assaults on religious liberties.  They seem to believe that “government” is the new god and they will determine what liberties we should be granted and which should be eliminated.  These opponents of God feel they must remove all opposition to their agenda of a secular society where government is supreme.  The unfortunate response by those of us who feel different is that we tend to “roll over and play dead!”

Lastly, we have another Christian, Abraham Lincoln, who gives us the way out of our decline!  He said, “It is the duty of nations as well as of men to owe their dependence on the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow…yet, with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon.”  

Lincoln gives us hope and the direction we must pursue if we want to see better days for America.  There is no other way but what is demanded from God and that way is “repentance!”  You know the verse: “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.”  God has provided a way for our children to experience better days.  These ways are the “ancient paths” that He has prescribed for His people.  He will not change His appeal even though we want some easier way back to the days we once knew.