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| "Let not your heart be troubled" |
Why are Christians viewed by
the secular world as being only two- dimensional? Why
are we perceived as only supporting life and marriage and opposing abortion and
homosexuality? We are also very
concerned about idolatry, murder, theft, lying, and many other issues that
negatively affect society. We don’t
perceive ourselves as being cultural watchdogs, rather, we find ourselves being
concerned about the things our Heavenly Father is concerned about. As John Calvin once said, “"A dog barks
when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is
attacked and yet would remain silent."
As the presidential primary
season approaches and the blogs are scatter shot with political opinion, let it
be known that Christians are concerned with far more than abortion and
homosexuality. We are far more complex
than the average secularist gives us credit for. As we consider which candidate to vote for
we are very troubled by the fiscal state of America. We consider fiscal
responsibility a moral issue. As a
husband and father in my home, I would be acting immorally if I used the money
earned to feed and provide for my family to satisfy some personal desire. Likewise, Christians believe it is immoral
behavior for government officials to steal money from future generations to
selfishly satisfy the desires of the present generation. Living high off the hog at the expense of our
children and grandchildren isn’t a political problem, it’s a moral problem.
Christians and secularists
have differing worldviews. The
secularist divides the issues by defining the contest as “conservative vs. liberal”
or “right vs. left”. There is room for a
sort of moral relativism as you might place yourself anywhere along the
spectrum of the line between extreme right and extreme left. Christians frame the issues by defining it as
a contest between “right vs. wrong.”
There is no moral equivalency here.
Ripping a baby from the womb of its mother is wrong whether it be done
in the 3rd month or the 6th month of pregnancy. Killing a
baby is wrong whether the mother is poor or wealthy, whether she is busy going
to college or holding down two jobs.
Christians believe that
destroying the sacred institution of marriage is wrong. We believe that God sanctioned the existence of
the church, the government and the family.
God clearly defined family in the Garden of Eden. It was to be one man and one woman. They were to commit to each other. God wrote the law against adultery into the Ten
Commandments to protect the sanctity of the marriage relationship. Any attempt to make marriage anything other
than what God intended it to be is an affront to the sole intent of God to
sanctify marriage. It isn’t about
Democratic or Republican policies. It’s
about the mind of God. Redefining
marriage to satisfy some personal or societal desire is a transgression of God’s
known law.
Christians believe that a
government that steals from future generations is participating in a blatant
immorality. We aren’t so much looking
for a candidate that is Republican or Democrat, or Independent or
Libertarian. We are looking for a
candidate who will dedicate himself or herself to doing the right things. We want a candidate who will remind us that
we were founded as a Christian nation upon the concepts taught within the Holy
Word of God. We aren’t begging for a
theocracy. We simply want God-fearing
men and women who are determined to do what is right for our country and for
future generations.
John Adams once said, “Our
constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of
any other.” The word ‘religious’ in his
quote refers to Christianity. We were
formed to be a Democratic Republic where people are represented by those
elected to do so. Our founding fathers
had a clear perception of the true nature of man. Man is essentially wicked. We are born in depravity. “The heart is
deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9) Their knowledge of the true nature of man
caused them to establish a government that would take into account the
probability that some leaders would be corrupt rather than righteous. Our first
governors understood that it was their fear of God, their reverence for God
that would restrain them from doing evil.
Modern Psychology has attempted
to replace God’s view of man (essentially evil) with man’s view of man
(essentially good). The secularists
teach that men are basically good and any evil they do is learned behavior due
to a poor environment. ‘Sin’ is a
religious term that secularists avoid at all costs. Sin carries with it an association with
punishment or reward. Our youth are
being taught that there is no need for salvation. If there is no salvation there is no
Savior. We don’t need to confess and be
saved from our sin, we simply need someone to come along and build up our
self-esteem.
When I worked in a hospital
years ago to help pay for my college education, I was often the only orderly
working the evening shift. When hospital
personnel heard the words “Code Blue” on the intercom we were spurred to action
because we knew someone was being threatened by the grim reaper and time was of
the essence. I am amazed at how much
damage has been inflicted on our nation in the last few years. We must act quickly and efficiently if we are
to save our country. The time is
short. I don’t want to be one to cry “wolf,
wolf” or be another Chicken Little crying, “The sky is falling.” But I do believe we are running short on time. You don’t have to be a Christ- follower to
feel disturbed about the direction our country is taking. I believe we are facing a real national emergency. The coming election is crucial to the future
of our country.
Our currency is extremely
unstable. Europe rulers are terrified of
an economic collapse in the European Union. The president of Iran is seeking to
build a nuclear weapon and he openly rants that he will destroy Israel if ever
he is successful. George Soros recently
warned that the world’s economy may be on the brink of collapse. Russia and the United States have naval fleets
feinting and sparring in the Mediterranean Sea in preparation for disruption in
the Middle East. The Arab Spring has
replaced dictators who opposed Sharia Law with the Muslim Brotherhood who is determined
to enforce draconian Islamic laws on Arab peoples everywhere.
This may not be the Great
Tribulation Christians often speak of but it certainly is a time of
testing. The people of the world are
looking for a savior. Someone to save
them from economic woes. Someone to bring
political unity. Someone to solve
unresolved problems.
There is a great hunger for
peace. Jesus Christ offers a peace the
world cannot understand or provide. It
is a peace that passes all understanding.
In view of all these things how should we as Christians react? Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled,
believe in God, believe also in me.”
(John 14:1) The troubles and
trials that lie ahead will have a distinguishing affect on all who are
followers of Christ. The dross will
float to the top and we will be purified by the refiner’s fire.
The remedy for this dilemma
is simple. We as a nation and as
individuals must confess our sins and humble ourselves before God. We must run without becoming weary and we
must endure to the end. For those who
persevere to the end will surely be rewarded.
Kevin Probst - Teaches History, Government and Apologetics at the high school level in Columbus Georgia.
