Fragile Freedom

We’re proud of America’s freedoms. But the freedoms we enjoy are based on certain values and beliefs. To forget that is to do so at our own peril because freedom is fragile. It is easily lost.

John Adams once said, “Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly unsuited to the government of any other.” And since he helped write it, he should know!

Our founding fathers understood the danger of dictators and self-indulgent citizens alike. So they designed a government where privilege is balanced with responsibility. And where faith was foundational to freedom.

But is the Constitution of the United States of America still relevant today?

That’s the very question posed by the cover of the July 4, 2011 issue of Time Magazine. It shows the U.S. Constitution being shredded and it asks: “Does it still matter?”

It does if we cherish our freedoms! Sadly, however, the article’s author doesn’t agree.

But there is a sense in which Time Magazine may be correct. If John Adams was right and if we are no longer a “moral and religious people,” then a logical conclusion would be that the Constitution is “wholly unsuited” to govern modern America!

Why? Because morality, faith and goodness matter when it comes to being a good citizen.

Freedom in America is not the ability to do whatever you want without constraints. A good citizen is one who exercises his or her choices with wisdom and respect for the law.

Years ago schools used to give awards to students who showed “Good Citizenship.” To receive such an award was a real honor. But today? Not so much.

Today it’s “cool” to be “bad.” To ignore the rules. So doing what you want and getting away with it is one of the ultimate highs. It’s an exhilarating “rush.”

A student’s T-shirt I saw some time ago summed up such an attitude. It said, “It’s not illegal if you don’t get caught.”

Now hold on for just a minute!

Would you want to live in a country with that motto? I wouldn’t. Who could you trust? No one. And unless you were the biggest, strongest, fastest and smartest, you wouldn’t be safe.

Today America is on the verge of trading liberty for a license to be free without limits. The courts seem to find new rights every day that our founding fathers never dreamed of.

As personal freedoms trump the law, we descend into a hell of our own making.

What’s the solution? The French historian and political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville observed, “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.”

The Bible has the only answer that always works. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Did you catch that? Obedience to Christ brings true freedom—from sin and punishment.

The same is true for citizens. When we obey our nation’s laws and follow them, there’s no reason to fear. The key to an open and free society is self-restraint based on Biblical morality.

Living a God-centered life leads to a life of serving others. And instead of living in fear we’re at peace with God and men. A free society works only when citizens practice moral goodness.

Never forget freedom is fragile! To protect it we must be a “moral and religious people.”

Real freedom starts with the truth. Not just any truth but the truth about Jesus Christ. And the truth of Christ is that the immoral can find forgiveness in his name. And true liberty.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

Travel Trouble

Americans love to fly. But with the restrictions and screenings, it’s almost too much trouble!

Since September 11, 2001, things once considered harmless can no longer go anywhere near a commercial airplane. To keep the planes safe we have become accustomed to practical and virtual disrobing: Empty our pockets, purses searched, belts and shoes off and body scanners.

It took me a while to get used to the new reality.

Two months after 9-11 I took a flight to spend Thanksgiving with relatives. But I forgot I was carrying a small pocketknife. Suddenly that knife was enough to keep me off the plane. How could I be so stupid? --Thankfully I was allowed to throw it away and board the plane.

One day we all hope to successfully travel to an eternal destination. Are you aware that God has restrictions on what you can bring to Heaven?

“Well, hold on just a minute!” you say. “How can there be travel restrictions for Heaven?”

Because the Bible tells us God is a holy God and he cannot permit sin in his presence.

“Holy” means God is clean, pure and separated above all other beings. The Bible says there is no other god like him. Holy means his character is totally good and entirely without evil.

The Bible also says, “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” Do you meet that standard?

Like the knife I carried, we’re so used to our sins we forget they’re in our spiritual “pockets.” And even “small” sins keep us from holiness and Heaven. --Now that’s real travel trouble!

Many people believe they’ll get to Heaven by doing more good things than bad in this life. And when they meet God, they hope the good deeds will outweigh the bad.

But there’s a big problem with that view. The Bible says that all of our good works are like filthy rags in God’s sight. Nothing we do even comes close to his standard. Only perfection makes it into Heaven. And perfection is humanly impossible. You know it and so do I.

That’s why Jesus is more than just our example. He became our savior to rescue us.

Because of God’s great love for us, the Bible says he sent his only son, Jesus, to solve our sin problem. Jesus made a way for us to have fellowship with God now and live with him forever.

His perfect life on earth and his death in our place on the cross makes it possible for God to forgive us. The resurrection proved his power to conquer sin’s eternal death penalty.

Before Jesus came, sin was enough to keep us out of Heaven and God’s presence. But since Jesus’ death paid for our sin, the only thing standing between God and us is Jesus Christ.

So the question for us is, “What will you do with Jesus?” Indifference is not an option.

The Bible says God forgives the sin of everyone who trusts Jesus as their personal Savior. They share in his holiness. However, the Bible is just as clear that those who will not believe in Christ are still condemned because of their unbelief. Their sin is not forgiven. How sad.

It’s also sad to think that many people will miss Heaven by five letters: J-E-S-U-S. For some reason they can’t bring themselves to accept the Jesus of the Bible. They won’t trust in him.

With the summer vacation season now upon us, airline passengers need to be aware of airline restrictions before flying. But since any day could be the day of your trip to eternity, think about God’s travel restrictions (and Jesus’ solution) before it’s too late. Avoid eternal travel trouble.

Remember--someone tougher than the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will be doing the pre-flight inspection of your “baggage” before you’re cleared for Heaven. The Bible says Jesus Christ is The Judge of the living and the dead. He’s also our Savior if we trust in him.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

TV Guide

Can a classic television show guide you to a better relationship with God?

Baby Boomers may remember the 1950’s program “Father Knows Best.” It was about insurance agent Jim Anderson and his wife, Margaret, raising a son and two daughters in Springfield, a typical Midwestern community.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications recalls it as, “One of a slew of middle-class family sitcoms in which moms were moms, kids were kids, and fathers knew best.”

Some modern descriptions of the program call it “idealized” and “overly rosy.” I remember watching it as a boy and thinking it was normal—a lot like my world.

Plots were simple and usually centered around a moral lesson. And although dad (Robert Young) sometimes lost his temper—the show portrayed a family stability envied by many today.

Well hold on just a minute! How can a TV show guide us to a better relationship with God?

Good question. And the answer is in the title of the show: “Father Knows Best.”

Unlike today’s sitcoms where Dad is often a dummy (The Simpsons), Jim Anderson’s children learned to respect their father because he was usually right. Typically it happened after they tried something their own way and failed. Once in a while Dad got it wrong, but not often.

Even though Jim Anderson didn’t ALWAYS know best, we have a Heavenly Father who does. Our Father God always knows best. Trouble is we don’t listen to him like we should.

The Bible is full of people who might have said with Frank Sinatra, “I did it my way.” Jacob, Moses, Jonah and Saul of Tarsus are a few that come to mind. They thought THEY knew best.

But through trial and error they discovered, as the Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” God, it turns out, always knew best!

Usually we rely on friends’ opinions like the Bible’s King Rehoboam did. He ignored godly advice, listened to his peers and split his father Solomon’s kingdom.

One reason the Bible records the events of so many people’s lives is so we can learn from them. We learn mistakes to avoid and we learn the benefit and blessing of obeying God.

We also must learn to ask God, our Father, for direction. He does know what is best for us!

What’s interesting is that some people do ask what God wants them to do. They listen in church. They read their Bibles. But when God answers, they don’t obey.

Maybe the answer isn’t the one they wanted. Often they hope God will give them permission to do what they want to do anyway. Even if it will hurt them or others.

But God loves us more than that. The life he calls us to live isn’t just about obedience but also the path of blessing. When he forbids or denies our requests it’s to prevent us pain--or worse.

Sadly, so many are intent on going their own way. And that proves God right. The Bible says, “We all like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.”

Often I’ll watch this process happen in someone’s life and wonder, “What will it take for us to learn to obey God? How much do we have to suffer? How many lives have to be ruined?”

Thankfully God is patient. When we return to him repentant--with our lives shattered, hearts broken and our pride humbled—he forgives us through Christ and gives us a new beginning.

Jesus said, “If you love me you will obey what I command.” And then he asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say?”

You’ve tried it your way. Now try God’s way. Your Father in Heaven really does know best.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

Like A Book

Do you like to read? America is a ‘literate’ nation. Statistical reports vary, but a high percentage of Americans can read. Many learned in first grade.

But we are also a nation of aliterates--people who can read but, for the most part, are completely uninterested in it. We choose not to read.

So many like watching TV and playing video games more than reading books. A report I heard said the average person reads one book between their school graduation and death.

Are we any better at reading people? Some claim, “I can read people like a book.” And that’s the problem. Many folks read people like they read books. They don’t.

Just as we drive by libraries without stopping to read, we pass by people every day and never stop to ‘read’ them. We don’t pay attention to their hopes, dreams or needs. If we do talk, we don’t really listen. We’re not interested in them unless they can do something for us.

Well hold it right there for just a minute! Why should other people matter that much to us?

Other people matter because, according to the Bible, they’re part of life’s purpose.

The majority of Americans seem to believe that life is about accumulating things. Our unofficial motto is “Get all you can; can all you get; sit on the lid and poison the rest!” We want it all and we want more than anyone else. Plus we’ll pay almost any price to get it.

So we sacrifice our health and even our families to “have it all.” How foolish.

In the process of pursuing our dreams, we run right over other people—and we never find satisfaction in life because we ignore others. They’re just not that important to us.

Jesus taught that people are very important to God. One day he will judge us based on how we helped others. He said that God expects more from those who have received so much.

Unlike us, Jesus was a good people reader. The Bible says that he knew men’s hearts.

One day a large crowd followed Jesus. His disciples saw a lot of people but Jesus saw them as “sheep without a shepherd.” He looked beyond their faults and saw their needs. He “read them like a book.” Why? Because he cared about them. He said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus’ followers realized that he saw people in a different light. They saw others as a bother. Jesus saw in them his purpose for being here on earth.

After Jesus’ resurrection everything changed. Fifty days later, on Pentecost, God’s Holy Spirit came to live in Christ’s followers. Finally they began to see people as Jesus did.

When a person today becomes a Christian through faith in Jesus Christ, they also begin to realize that life isn’t just about them. They start to understand that we are here to serve others.

The world’s standard, demonstrated by millions of people every day, is “Use one another” or “Hate one another.” But Christ’s standard is “Love one another.” Jesus told his followers, “Do to others what you want them to do to you.” We call that “The Golden Rule.”

The Bible tells followers of Christ how to behave. They are to live in harmony and love one another. They are to accept, instruct and agree with one another, serve one another in love, be kind to one another, forgive, submit to and teach one another and encourage each another.

Why do we need the reminders? Because, if we do what comes naturally, we only think of ourselves. But God wants us to read people like a book. To serve them and meet their needs. If we will then we become less self-centered, more other-centered and Jesus’ joy will be ours.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

Secret Agents

Spy movies were very popular when I was a student. The James Bond 007 franchise is still a success today, almost 50 years later.

Over the years there’ve been many movies and television shows about spies and secret agents. “I Spy,” “Get Smart,” “Mission: Impossible” and “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” were some of my favorites. All glamorized or made light of a very serious side of international affairs--espionage.

Even the Bible records the use of spies to check out enemy defenses in the Promised Land.

One of the most feared and dangerous roles in the spy business is the double agent. A double agent secretly works for both sides. But his allegiance is usually to one side alone.

Sometimes a double agent’s allegiance is only to himself. He is in it for what benefits him.

Sort of like some people that attend church.

“Now hold on just a minute!” you may say. Churchgoers as double agents? Isn’t that just a little outrageous?” Maybe. But it’s also true. At least for some.

They look like they fit in. They dress the part, talk the talk and even donate money. But when they attend church, they are just putting on a show. They do it to convince others and themselves that they’re Christians. But their allegiance is only to themselves.

While double agents make a great plot element in a movie, their presence in a church can be devastating—both to the organization and to themselves.

Why? Because they have a different mission than Christ and his church.

Jesus made it clear he came “to seek and to save the lost.” He did not come to be served but to serve others. His goal was to have a personal faith relationship with each member of the human race. And to bring forgiveness, peace and hope to all through his death on the cross.

The mission of the church is to take the gospel, the good news about Christ, to the world. It’s a very simple message that can be summed up in ten words: “Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.” Everyone that trusts in him receives forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

The church is not here to be a rule-enforcing police department, a political action committee or a theater with the best show in town. Its main mission is not social justice or to make people wealthy. It’s here to point people to Jesus Christ so they will worship and serve him alone.

When power-seeking, self-centered or greedy individuals infiltrate the church, they can do immeasurable harm to it. Especially if they become church leaders and substitute a “shadow mission” (their own agenda) for what Jesus commanded the church to do.

They may think the church is just another service organization and see membership as a way to improve their standing in the community. Or it may become a way to control other people.

Such “double agents” also suffer personally. How? By missing out on a personal faith relationship with God and the forgiveness, joy and peace he offers them through Jesus Christ.

What to do? Well, if you’re a churchgoer ask yourself, “Am I on Jesus’ mission or my own?”

Are you following Jesus, obeying him and serving others? Or are you only attending church for what you get out of it? Does your life encourage others to follow Christ or discourage them?

The Apostle Paul wrote in the Bible, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul was not a “secret agent” Christian or a “double agent.” He was a genuine Christ follower.

When you reach the end of your life, all the thrills, power and wealth you’ve gained will mean nothing. Only your faith in Christ and the people you pointed to him will matter in eternity.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!