Roosevelt or Reagan?
Here is an excellent article that appeared in “Imprimis”, a publication by Hillsdale College.
http://www.hillsdale.edu/imprimis/2007/03/
You really should check it out. It talks about two very different philosophies of government. After you read it, you will understand the rest of this post.
That article prooves why we need Christ in American society. If government does not impose “social justice”, or some kind of order upon us, then it is left up to the individuals to practice their liberty in a righteous way. One excellent point made by President Reagan, quoted by Mr. Marini, is this: If a people cannot be trusted to govern themselves, then how can a people be trusted to govern someone else?
Individuals cannot practice righteousness without Christ. They will abuse their freedom and liberty when Jesus Christ is taken out of the picture. The founding fathers knew, as is aluded to in the above article, that government cannot impose good behavior upon people without becoming tyranicle. It is beyond governments jurisdiction to make people behave righteously, or in other words, to govern themselves. That is why they limited the government from imposing a certain branch or doctrine of Christianity. But they all recognized the irreplaceable importance of having a nation full of Christians. They said that the United States was doomed to failure if it did not have Christian principles and morals as the foundation in the lives of the PEOPLE, not the government.
The only way a limited government can work is if the people are able to govern themselves. We as humans are unable to govern ourselves apart from Christ. Yes, let’s make government smaller (may God give us a president and congress who believes this and works towards it) but it will do no good if we do not put Christ back into the society. And that will not happen until we start putting Christ into every part of our own lives.
Do you want to see reformation? Really? Are you sure? Because it means you will have to give up, not just your secret sins, but your own life, your own way, your own will, and surrender completely to the Lord. That’s hard. Really hard. Dying to self has never been a cake walk.
Jesus said “Whosoever will save his life will lose it. But whosoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospels, the same shall find it.” Let us “take up our cross” and follow the Lord.
About The Author
Preacher Dad
Jarod has been a pastor, construction worker, restaurant manager, ministry administrator, children's story teller, author....in no particular order. At heart he is passionate about the Truth, and has been called to proclaim that Truth from an early age. He is committed to his wife and eight children, and seeks to have a lasting impact upon the future by discipling his family. He blogs at PreacherDad.com on parenting, preparing, and cultural impact.
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So very true! I did not get to check that article yet, but as you know, I have thought these things through a fair amount. Thanks for sharing! True liberty and the responsiblities that go with it needs to be understood all over America.
Thanks for the thoughtful post, Jarod. I often read Hillsdale’s publication myself. Actually met their President once.
To the topic: As one of the greatest founders of our country probably put it best:
“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams, Oct 11, 1798
nice entry, jrod
On that note of reformation, your right, you’ll have to give. You’ll also be grossly misunderstood, and falsely accused, and “whoever kills you will think that he does God service.” The world will become more and more “religious” and be reformed, perhaps under the name of “Christ”, but what will it make? A system of Christ, not the Person of Christ. This is why what you said on complete surrender to Him is so important, because there will be times where He and you may be the only ones that know what’s real and what’s fake. The temptation to succumb to a religious system vs. a true relationship is probably the strongest one we face. That’s where the battle line is. Sound too hard?
🙂 Not for the One I’m think about.
Thanks for the post Jarod.