| The Grapevine Number 94 January 16, 2005 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 Blessed is the Nation by Jack Northart Most people in civilized societies recognize the difference between right and wrong. They understand the difference between good and bad behavior, and the difference between freedom and slavery. However, there have been a few societies that have spent most of their short-lived existence under the delusion that to discard moral strength in favor of convenience, is a form of freedom. This is an irrational belief and is simply selfishness. The inevitable result is a society of people concerned only in indulging their immediate private desires. It is a society ruled only by the sense of an obligation to themselves. When this happens, a society or nation will lose its strength and vitality. The end result is chaos and ruin. Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. A nation or society that stakes its rights and privileges in the One True God, will indeed be blessed by Him. This nation will wax strong as the energy and determination driving the society will be fueled by the voluntary self-sacrifice of its citizens. As each person fulfills his duty to God, his duty to himself, his duty to his family, his duty to society, that nation or society will be a strong, vital and blessed one. In today’s society, the decline in moral strength is being hastened by what is called ‘political correctness.' Being politically correct is more important to some, than being morally strong. By using the excuse of not upsetting anyone, the politically correct are demanding that people behave like the fool who would please everyone, and that everyone must become such a fool. All must accept the notions of the politically correct, or else! All this does is make life, both public and private, a meaningless charade where delusion thrives. This tactic of moral decline is nothing new. It can be found all throughout the Word of God. II Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. The encouragement at the end of this passage of scripture states, “…from such turn away.” This doesn’t suggest that we run and hide, but rather heed the exhortation that Paul continued to give Timothy in chapter four. II Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. One of the greatest activating principles of human life is the motivation to serve. The principle of service is more powerful than that of financial rewards. Man has free will, and is therefore spiritually and morally responsible for his conduct. Man’s free will places in his hands the responsibility to direct his own life. To the extent that a man willfully determines to make God’s will his will, he will find himself serving the Lord according to the accuracy of God’s Word. His moral character shines like a beacon in the society and community in which he lives. A moral individual improves their world by creating riches perceived by a clear understanding of the precepts of God, and won through self-sacrifice. An immoral (selfish) individual achieves the opposite; they consume wealth by sacrificing all around them on the altar of their private desires while hiding this fact through self-promotion and lying. Their code of morality places them ahead of all other considerations, so their behavior is controlled only by convenience. They only respect themselves, their own feelings, opinions, rights and freedoms. Being slaves to their own emotions means that they demand everyone else to become the same slave. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. The fear, awe or respect of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To be wise is to be smart, intelligent. Intelligence is the commodity that gives humanity its power over all other creatures, but what is not generally understood is the dependence of this facility upon a necessary foundation. That foundation must be God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the accuracy of His Word. As we depend on these, our lives improve greatly and so do those around us. Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. The fear, awe or respect of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, as we saw in Proverbs, chapter one. Here in chapter three, it says, “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom…” and goes on to compare how great it is to have this wonderful wisdom. Life is not just a bowl of cherries, but rather rubies! This makes the effort to find this wisdom so exciting and beneficial to our lives and those around us. As individuals seek the Lord and His wisdom, the nation and society in which they live flourishes. That nation is truly blessed. II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Return to main page |