Saturday, December 10, 2011 "Christian Nation" Part VIII

Saturday, December 10, 2011

"Christian Nation" Part VIII

First From Julie's Keyboard:

Last week we made comments based on that which we purpose in our hearts.  We looked at the example of Daniel when he purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself by eating the dainties of the king's meat.  It could be said that this was indeed a rare display of "abstinence," a term that seems to come with pain for us at times.

In the thought for today, may we take this heart purpose a little further.  Not only must our hearts purpose to not do that which is wrong, but the purpose must be directed toward the carrying out of that which is right.  After all we know that keeping God's commands is not entirely about the "do nots," but about the "shall dos."  It's one thing to forsake some deed of the flesh for a righteous purpose, yet another to replace this with a work of honor unto the Lord.

How could we live as men and women of purpose for the kingdom as sojourners in this pilgrim land?  Today, may I share with you that  the things we set before our eyes and listen to with our ears are critical to the success of this overcoming life in Christ?  The great tools of media can and will often bring deception.  But the pure Word of God is a forever established Truth.

We must spend time preparing our hearts and minds with the Truth in order to fulfill the purpose we're called to as a believer.  The voices that we permit to speak into our lives are of great consequence.  Who are we listening to today?  We must be careful to check the input we get by the Source of all Truth.  Again I would mention Daniel as one not allowing the "dainties" of the king's palace to sway his position with his Covenant God.

This passage from the book of Proverbs comes to mind with these thoughts:

Proverbs 7:1-3 "My son keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart."

I leave you with this question today.  What is your input causing you to purpose in your heart today?  Is it some earthly king's provender, or is it the King of King's Bread of Heaven?
May we fill our lives with His Truth.  It's the thing that will make us free indeed.

Blessings,

Julie

***************************

"Christian Nations" Part VIII

Getting a little more back on subject this week, I want to continue our trek across our spiritual history.  Most of us in school read to some extend of the events that transpired with the settling of the James Towns and New England colonies, the formation of our nations charters and constitutions. 

We mostly studied the dates, victories, defeats, and various leaders involved in all the afore mentioned.  Such things we know to some degree of knowledge and understanding.  But what we are looking at in these post are the people,  the core of our culture that gave us our sense of right and wrong.  The spiritual aspect that was rooted deeply in the heart of most Americans that gave birth to our society and idea's of freedom.

Working our way through our humble beginnings to present day using the foundation established by the 1892 United States Supreme Court definition of a Christian Nation.

We have firmly established that at least up until the time of the Revolution of which we are now looking, by the afore mentioned definition these United States could be referred to as a "Christian Nation"  So let's travel on a little further!

In 1776 as King George III had decided to send a large invasion army against the powers that be in America, Samuel Adams declared to the British officials:

"There is One above us who will take exemplary vengeance for every insult upon His majesty.  You know that the cause of America is just.  You know that she contends for that freedom to which all me are entitled, that she contends against oppression, rapine, and more than savage barbarity.

The blood of the innocent is upon your hands, and all the waters of the ocean will not wash it away.  We again make our solemn appeal to the God of heaven to decide between you an us. And we pray that, in the doubtful scale of battle, we may be successful as we have justice on our side, and that the  merciful Savior of the world may forgive our oppressors." - - - - Samuel Adams. Writings, vol. 4, 38. Letter to the Earl of Carlisle, Lord Viscount Howe, Sir William Howe, William Eden and George Johnstone, printed in the Massachusetts Spy, July 16, 1778.

Can you imagine the political leaders of our day declaring to our enemies "We again make our solemn appeal to the God of heaven to decide between you an us. And we pray that, in the doubtful scale of battle, we may be successful as we have justice on our side, and that the merciful Savior of the world may forgive our oppressors."? 

It is apparent that our political leaders of that day were deeply religious and carried their faith into the political sphere.  It was a very openly Christian faith as they spoke of the "God of heaven" and the "Savior of the world". 

"One Nation under God". ( as stated in our pledge of allegiance)

This sentiment was reflected in a letter Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John on June 18, 1776:

"I feel no anxiety at the large armament designed against us.  The remarkable interposition's of heaven in our favor cannot be too gratefully acknowledged.  He who fed the Israelites in the wilderness, who clothes the lilies of the field and who feeds the young ravens when they cry, will not forsake a people engaged in so righteous a cause, if we remember His loving kindness." - - - - Abigail Adams. L. H. Butterfield, ed., Adams Family Correspondence, vol. 2, 16.

In his speech in Philadelphia in 1776 Samuel Adams would sum up religious sentiment by declaring:

"We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom all alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in Heaven, and with a propitious eye beholds his subjects assuming that freedom of thought, and dignity of self-direction which He bestowed on them. From the rising to the setting sun, may His kingdom come." - - - - Samuel Adams. The Light and Glory, p. 390

In the American mind in 1776, one could not separate the nation from the one to whom all ought to be obedient, thus their courage and confidence in their cause.

May God bless each of you,

David