Sunday, January 23, 2011
"General Principles" Part IX
From Julie's Keyboard:I started my post on this blog yesterday and thought that it was complete, but it just seemed that something was not quite right about it. I think the main idea was correct because this morning our Pastor touched on the very issue topic of my post. In essence, he said that you can't please people all of the time and that there are those that you just can't seem to please at all.
Pardon me for saying so, but I think I've just described a very common problem that too many Christians (including myself) may struggle with from time to time. It's the double "P" problem called; "People Pleasing." Ouch! I must be the first to raise my hand with guilt.
It's
nice to be liked a little and appreciated by those around us. It's
conducive to the Christian nature to live peaceably with all and
"prefer our brother before ourselves." However, when it comes right
down to the prime factor of our lives as Christians, we know what really
matters is how we've pleased our Master.
We
have Scripture to support the fact that those who are soldiers in an
army do not become entangled with issues outside of their scope of activity lest they should fail to please the one who has made them a
soldier. Isn't this true of our lives as children of God?
There are many good things we can do in our Christian walk, yet which thing is designed to be "my Father's business?" Surely this is the thing we need to know and pursue. This is the thing with heavenly impact.
As
we draw nearer to our Master, we're bound to know His guidance in our
lives. He's promised those who come that His "yoke is easy and His
burden is light."
It
seems profitable to seek Him early before our involvement with the
activities and noble endeavors of others. Though they are very fruitful
notions, we must know the purpose of the Master because we've sought Him
for ourselves.
In bringing this to a close, I'm reminded of a passage of Scripture from Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint."
Please teach us Lord to wait.
Scripture References:
Luke 2:49 "...How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"
Acts 5:29 "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
James 4:7-8 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you......"
Proverbs 8:17 "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."
Have a blessed week,
Julie
"General Principles" Part IX
The following quote by John Adams was posted in the comment section of the blog a few weeks ago.
“Thirteen
governments thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone,
without a pretence of miracle or mystery, which are destined to spread
over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great
point gained in favour of the rights of mankind.”
At first glance, it does appear that Mr. Adams was refuting the fact of a Christian influence upon the Government of the United States. But as I suspected it has been taken out of context to prove a point that Mr. Adams did not make. This statement is taken from the preface of his work “A DEFENSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”
Had you known the previous reading before you get to this quote you would find Mr. Adams in his defense of the American form of Government was comparing it to the monarchs and aristocracies of past history. The bloody revolutions and corruptions that existed in each and the superstitions to which they ascribed.
In naming each one, he points out the gods to which they attributed their rights to rule, holding it over the people that they were either god, gods, or were directed by the divine to rule (such as the Divine right of kings), and the people were at their mercy.
He then points to the fact that the people of the United States and their ministers were not to be so foolish as to follow such fables. They observed other forms of government and examined their failures, without a miracle or mystery, ( Someone saying that the divine had chosen them to rule) established this form of government by their own authority and reason. It in no way diminishes the influence of the Christian Principles upon which they relied as a foundation for justice and morality.
Mr. Adams states just prior to the statement in question: “It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had any interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the inspiration of heaven, any more than those at work upon ships or houses, or labouring in merchandize or agriculture: it will for ever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses.”
No one in our government can claim a personal interview with god, gods, or heaven as being chosen to rule, and upon that authority establish his position. He will only rule if chosen by the people.
Below is the quote in question with the complete text to convey Mr. Adam's true thoughts.
“Thirteen governments thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence of miracle or mystery, which are destined to spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great point gained in favor of the rights of mankind. The experiment is made, and has completely succeeded: it can no longer be called in question, whether authority in magistrates, and obedience of citizens, can be grounded on reason, morality, and the Christian religion, without the mockery of priests, or the knavery of politicians.”
Our government was not founded on superstitions or some contrived invention of some divine appointment of monarchy or aristocracy by the gods, but it was founded upon the people's "reason, morality, and the Christian religion."
When Mr. Adams talks about "natural authority of the people alone" his full text makes it clear he was not denying that our government had no influence from Christan principles, but that the people through their ability to reason and understand elected those to whom would serve. It would not be based upon one claiming the right to serve by order of a god or gods.
Mr. Adams also states in this work: “The people in America have now the best opportunity, and the greatest trust, in their hands, that Providence ever committed to so small a number, since the transgression of the first pair: if they betray their trust, their guilt will merit even greater punishment than other nations have suffered, and the indignation of heaven.”
He points out that he believed Providence (God) has committed this opportunity to the people, not to a ruler (a single individual claiming some miracle, mystery, or superstition by the gods as in the aforementioned governments of the past) but to the people. He then compares this form of government to those mentioned before and makes a comparison of this opportunity given to us by Providence, to the one that was given to Adam and Eve in the garden.
Mr. Adams said he believed that America was the first to have such an opportunity and trust given by God to such a small group since Adam and Eve in the beginning. He also added if we fail in this trust given to us by Providence, as with Adam and Eve, we face the “indignation of heaven.” Those are his words, not mine.
If you would like to confirm the validity of my comments you can read to complete the preface of Mr. Adam's work at the link below.
http://www.constitution.org/jadams/ja1_pre.htm
May God bless each of you,
David
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