Morality without God is immoral

     Many have heard the phrase, “separation between church and state” but many may not know that that phrase is found nowhere in our Constitution, or within any of our founding documents.  But yet, many, me included, have been taught that there is to be a clear line between the church and politics.  We have been told that those worlds are vastly different and are not to intertwine.  We see the results of this thinking in our schools (no public prayer, restricting the name of Jesus Christ from speeches and writings), in our workplace (threats of dismissal for posting Christian literature in your office) and in our government (removal of the 10 Commandments) Was this the intent of the Founders?  Would they agree with the stances we have taken, in our attempt to be a moral people by excluding God from many facets of life?  Today, I would like to give you a picture of how far we have fallen from where we began.

     “You shall swear by the great and dreadful Name of the High God, Maker and Governor of Heaven and earth and by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of the Kings and rulers of the earth, that in his Name and fear you will rule and govern his people according to the righteous will of God, ministering justice and judgment on the workers of iniquity, and ministering due encouragement and countenance to well doers, protecting of the people so far as in you lieth, by the help of God from foreign annoyance and inward disturbance, that they may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. So God be helpful and gracious to you and yours in Christ Jesus.”

     The above text was taken from the Agreement of the Settlers at Exeter in New Hampshire July 5, 1639 under the heading, “The Elders or Rulers Oath.”  The whole document is an exceptional piece of work, in that it understands and acknowledges that our government is under the authority of the Supreme Governor and that the purpose of those within the government is to minister encouragement to those that do well and judgment upon those doing evil.  That sounds very familiar to what is said in I Peter 2:14.  It says, “or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.”  When deciding if some action is good or evil, can God and God’s Word be left out?  Are we, as humans, able to decipher those matters using our own intellect?  NO!!!  We are trying to, as a nation, but it is impossible.

     Today, we are seeing our President attempting to punish those doing good and praising those doing evil.  Just take a look at his recent speech to the Human Rights group October 1.  In it he praises the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, while belittling those that understand those behaviors as deviant and wrong.  It is very clear that our President and many in government desire to impose their religious views upon others, apart from God.  And where have I been during this slide toward humanism?  On the sidelines watching from my church seat, minding my own business, as I was told to do; preaching from the Word and often ignoring the trends I was seeing, thinking that was not my role.  Well, I am beginning to see things a bit differently now.  I am understanding that it is my responsibility to speak up, my job to try to enlighten others on our founding, my duty to show others how far we have fallen and encourage us to rise back up to the standard we once held dear.

    Am I a democrat?  Am I a republican? NO, I am a Christian, my allegiance is to God, not to man.   May we all begin to understand the importance of seeing Christ as our moral compass and not our own intellect, because morality without God is simply immoral.

Who's raising our children?

     Ephesians 5:14-17  Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise fromthe dead, and Christ will give you light.  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

     I understand that this topic may get very little traction in most circles, but in others it may cause some feathers to be ruffled; but its extreme importance drives me to speak. This article is not meant to be judgmental or challenging to your motives, but an honest attempt to bring to light something that is very puzzling, which I believe is also one cause of the destruction of our homes.

     I believe that mose would agree that the days we are living in are evil.  We are surrounded by immoral behavior like promiscuity, violence, drugs and foul language.  It is in such a time that God's Word commands us to walk as wise people, redeeming the time.  So, are we redeeming the time when it comes to our children?  Are we the ones raising them, or is it our society?

     Let me give you a run-down of what a life (birth-18) could look like in today's society.  This is not meant to be scientific or perfectly applicable to every situation, but I believe many will be able to relate in some fashion.  Baby is born, babysitter is sought after.  Once one is found, baby spends roughly 8 hours a day there.  Baby grows up and enters daycare and then preschool, all the while, probably spending more time with kids who act contrary to your standards than with you.  Then, baby turns into a child and enters school.  For the next 12 years your child spends 7-8 hours in school, possibly 1-2 hours involved in some extracurricular activity, 2-3 hours hanging out with friends, playing video games, watching TV or doing homework(probably not).  Mix in an hour for breakfast and supper, which may be done as a family, or maybe not, and 8 hours for sleep and you have your day.  Now fast forward to the age of 16.  You begin to notice that your once very respectful, obedient child doesn't seem to be so respectful and obedient.  Traits begin to arise that you had not seen before.  The battle has begun, and you begin to ask yourself, "Where did they learn this behavior?"

     Let me be clear, our children are always learning.  The question is, who will be there teacher?  Will society through teachers, friends, coaches, TV, movies and music, or will it be you?  As parents, especially fathers, we have been given a huge responsibility.  God's Word makes it clear that it is our duty to train up our children in the Word (and this does not mean merely taking them to church.)  In Deuteronomy 6 Moses is clear, in that our training happens all the time (when you sit in your house, when taking a walk, when you wake up and when you go to sleep.)

     Parents, are you redeeming the time with your children?  Are you using the precious commodity, that the world wants, to teach your children how to live?  My hope is that you are.  By doing so, I truly believe that you show that you understand and practice the will of the Lord.

     May God bless and protect your children from the schemings of the devil as you safeguard them from the one who desires to steal, kill and destroy them.