What does America need?
Have you ever heard anyone say, “This country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles?”
Well, perhaps that is part of the problem.
Has anyone EVER been saved by basing their lives upon a set of Judeo-Christian principles? Consider Peter’s words at the Jerusalem Council:
Now therefore why tempt ye God, putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? For we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Acts 15:10-11
The question at the council really came down to the necessity of circumcision and law keeping for salvation. From his epistles it is clear that Paul taught that salvation is by faith, apart from the law. These teachings were the subject of a “great disputation” between Paul, Barnabas and the law-keeping Jews at Jerusalem. Finally Peter withheld his silence on the matter, stating, “How can we hold these Gentiles to a standard that we, believing Jews, are not capable of living up to? It’s grace, not the law that saves us.”
So the real question here is, if obeying the law couldn’t save Peter and Paul, can America be saved by doing so? Like Peter and the Twelve, we are ever dependent upon the unending grace of God. Furthermore, we can’t even live a victorious Christian life by simply adhering to some set of Judeo-Christian principles. That goes against everything Paul wrote in His epistles. Still we assume America’s woes will be cured by simply returning back to our Christian roots, through some imposed moral system? Friends, America doesn’t need a moral system. What she needs is Jesus.
I’m not saying that we should abandon all laws and trust that society will gravitate toward God. Of course that would be foolish. What I am saying is that inward change does not come from complying to a set of moral laws. [Tweet “inward change does not come from complying to a set of moral laws”] No one has ever been saved by obeying the Ten Commandments and no one will ever be victorious in their Christian walk by obeying the Ten Commandments. We are saved when we respond, in faith, to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. We are not saved by our works, but His work, and likewise, we are not victorious in our Christian walk by by abiding in our power, but His, through the work of the Holy Spirit.
My biggest concern regarding the marriage of politics and faith is not that Christians have become active in politics. That’s fine and good. It’s the fact that so many have become conditioned to believe that lasting moral change can in some way be achieved through political means.
My biggest concern regarding the marriage of politics and faith is not that Christians have become active in politics. It's that so many have become conditioned to believe that lasting moral change can in some way be achieved through political means.Click To TweetA rule system can be imposed upon a people, and the people may, indeed, comply to those rules, but it will never invoke the INWARD CHANGE that is necessary to please God. Spiritual change cannot be legislated.
It is only when we abide in Jesus Christ and allow His life to flow through us, that we will EVER begin to live a victorious Christian life. We cannot do so in our flesh. Our works of the flesh will never please God. The will-power of the flesh is contrary to faith and to the power of the Holy Spirit. And Romans 14:23 informs us that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Then Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Change comes from the obedience of faith, NOT the compliance of law.
We Americans cannot please God by adopting some Judeo-Christian standard and then trusting in our flesh’s ability to live by it. We can only please God by placing our faith in Him and Him alone, as the source, not only for salvation, but for living our daily lives. Anything else is not of faith, but of sin.
America needs Jesus. When Americans place their faith in Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to guide their actions, the end result will be a lawful society. However, compliance to a set of rules will NEVER produce a Godly society. God isn’t interested in you doing your best for Him. What He truly desires is for you to let Him do His best through you. Christianity isn’t about rules. It’s about a relationship.
God isn't interested in you doing your best for Him. What He truly desires is for you to let Him do His best through you.Click To TweetSo there you have it. That’s the cure for a nation that has drifted away from God; a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Grace be with you,
Jerry
Great post, Jerry! It’s so true that legalism won’t save our country any more than it will save a person. I think the only reason we’ve thrived so long as a country is because of God’s grace. We need more of that grace, and the only way I see us getting that is by having a deeper relationship with Him. If we want to change the country, we have to start at the personal level. First you and me, then our neighbors, and it works up from there. We’ve got enough laws on the books. Let’s work on the love.
Amen! Thanks for this powerful post, Jerry. You are so right….it is all about a relationship with Jesus….that is the answer!