The State of the Union

The President gave the annual "State of the Union" address and most people have their opinions about what was said. My intent here is not to comment on what the President said, but share my own assessment of the "State of the Union." I see the State of the Union much as Paul described the Roman world in which he lived-- "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish hear was darkened...For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever Amen." (Ro.1:18,21,25). Just think about it for a moment. Paul's description fits America today--men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness and exchange the truth of God for a lie. If I were to use one word to describe the "State of the Union" I would use a word like "corrupt", "decadent", "ungodly", or "perverse." Deception, corruption, extortion, and exploitation abound in the lives of people personally and especially in the workings of our government. Justice is merely a buzz word and no longer an ideal. Perversion is celebrated. Murder of innocent children is sanctioned, supported, and defended as a "choice". Lack of personal responsibility is promoted and "entitlement" is encouraged. Laziness is encouraged and exceptionalism is discouraged. Robbery is government policy. At every turn attempts are made to "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" whether it is doping by professional athletes or what really happened in Benghazi. Now when I hold these realities up to the ideals of Scripture there is a serious disconnect. Much of what permeates the culture in America offends a Holy God and yet we press ahead in our perversion oblivious to God's displeasure. Romans 1:18 speaks of "the wrath of God...against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men..." Our country as a whole seems to me to be in a desperate state whereby we deserve God's wrath. In fact, the text of Romans 1:18-32 declares that those who live ungodly lives and exchange the truth of God for a lie are "given over to even greater perversions and ungodliness." It could very well be that as a country we have been "given over" (Ro.1:24,26,28)to increasing decadence, debauchery, and depravity. It could be that we have reached a point of no return, that we will continue to spiral downward into the cesspool of sin only to receive the full fury of God's wrath. I only know that God cannot be pleased with the deception, perversion, corruption, and wickedness that He sees in America. I recently finished Stephen Mansfield's book, "Lincoln's Battle with God" in which the author comes to the conclusion that at some point near the end of the civil war that Lincoln came to the understanding that God is in control of the affairs of men and that what happens in history is under the control of the Almighty. He also believes that Lincoln had an acute awareness that mankind is answerable to a holy and righteous God. Lincoln saw the Civil War as God's punishment on the nation for her evils (among which slavery ranked near the top). Finally, Mansfield believes that Lincoln grasped that God uses men in His working out of History. Lincoln came to believe that the real issue in the Civil War then was the need for America's Reconciliation with God...her Righteousness. That America was in the throws of a devastating Civil War as part of God's punishment for her national sins and only in repentance could the "ship of state" be righted again. Oh, that the wisdom of Lincoln would prevail again in America. I pray that we will see ourselves in the throws of sin and in desperate need of repentance and the Lord's compassionate forgiveness. The answer for America lies not with a particular candidate, or political party, but in our soon, serious, and contrite return to the Almighty seeking His forgiveness. I hope the words of Isaiah 30:15 will not be uttered of us "...but you were not willing." For indeed, in repentance and rest we shall be saved and in quietness and trust is our strength.

God's Mercy

Just came off of a difficult wrestling match. No, I'm not in mid-life crisis trying to relive my youth by joining a wrestling club. My match was with the Lord. I'm not just getting older, I'm getting more foolish. Wrestling with the Lord??? Of course, I was wrestling with the Lord--my fallen nature wrestling with my new nature as redeemed in Christ. I had sinned and felt rather justified in my behavior. I reasoned that I had a right to be angry and to deal with the situation as I had in light of someone else's activity. It is the very kind of thing that Paul describes in Romans 7:14-25 when he says, "For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish" (7:19). If you are truly a child of God by grace through faith in Christ and if you are really honest you have also engaged in this futile wrestling match with the Lord. After a couple of days of fuming and feeling very self-righteous about it all, the Lord began to chip away at the wall of pride that I had erected to protect myself from having to admit that I really had sinned, that I was not in communion with the Lord, that I could continue in my current state to my own detriment. Pride is a very stubborn guest and does not leave without being thrown out of our lives. As I confessed and repented of my sin I felt as if I were dying and it was excruciatingly painful to let go of all of my rationalizations and justifications and focus on the reality of my own depravity in isolation from any other person involved in the situation. As the Lord did His surgery to extract my pride and refusal to acknowledge my own sinfulness before Him, a burden was lifted (See Psalm 32). Once I went to the offended party, confessed my sin and asked for forgiveness I was restored to fellowship with the Lord. This incident gave me a window into the depth of wickedness still present within me. I did see a wretched man longing to be delivered from "this body of death" (Romans 7) but was also reminded of God's mercy. "..You our God have requited us less than our iniquities deserve and have given us an escaped remnant" (Ezra 9:13). As Ezra leads a group of former exiles back to Jerusalem to re-establish the worship of God he is made aware of the wickedness of those left in Jerusalem who have intermarried. Ezra's statement in 9:13 and in 9:15 speak of God's mercy that does not give us what we fully deserve. God often treats us much better than our sinful lives deserve. Lord, help us to see more fully the extent of our depravity and appreciate more completely your great mercy. Lord help me to treat others with the same sort of mercy that you have extended to me.

Solid Foundations.

The conclusion to Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5-7)reminds us of the importance of not merely hearing the Word of God, but actually doing what God says."Everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house upon a rock" (Mt.7:24). Jesus tells us that the wise person will listen to and do what He says. Lord help us to be doers of the word and not just hearers.

Facing Persecution

God's work has always met with opposition and we certainly live in a day where that opposition seems to be increasing. The apostles Peter and John provide us with a great example in Acts 4:19-20. After being told to not to speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus they told ruling Council, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." They were committed to obey God rather than men regardless of the consequences. We can't know our response in any given situation, but we can pray for God's grace to respond with this same kind of devotion.