I also do think that evil needs to be called out. You say below that government is not in the morality/values business, but that was the basis of the founding of this country and the contract (The Declaration of Independence and subsequent codification of the Constitution) that we originally signed up for. That every man was responsible for his life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. I hate to say it but our government’s insistence on taking away individual accountability and instead nurturing dependence is a big part of the problem and I believe it is sinister in nature. The great men who wrote that contract all knew that the only way this experiment would work was if we maintained and cherished our Judeo Christian belief system. That was core to the concept. Those cores have been constantly chipped away for the past 50 years.

Our government has always been in the morality and values business since we are a representative republic (well it used to be a repbulic but that too has been changed as our states are more and more beholden to the federal government). However, we have loosened our standards in the name of equality of outcomes versus equality of opportunity. Look what is happening now, our commander in chief is espousing one of the 7 deadly sins of COVETING. We have never had our leader say it was ok to covet. But the past 50 years of liberal thinking and continuous assault by this subversive minority against what is right and moral has been shrugged off by the silent majority (I hope it is still the majority) of believers in individual responsibility and accountability.

So I know I rambled, but you did touch a nerve as I am 100% on your side. I will continue to honor God by making him #1 and loving my wife and teaching my boys how to be honorable, responsible and God loving men who love their wives and families. I will also continue to encourage all my employees that we live by 3 simple rules at work, Do your best, take care of our customers and don’t lie, cheat or steal. Additionally, I need to wrap my head around how we can take these values and again make them mainstream in our government.

–RS

Really too bad. I wonder what the church would look like if we did what God moved us to do. What if we spoke every correction we thought in a loving manner? What if we extended a hand every time we hurt for someone else? What if we reached out each time we felt lonely or saw it on someone else’s face? What if we stopped fighting when we knew we were wrong? Or apologized when we knew we had offended? What if we went to our brother or sister who we knew was dying in sin and begged them to repent and come back to Christ? How many lives would be spared? How many families saved? How many children would have their fathers and mothers to hold every night? How much strength would this little church on this small hill have of just a few of us could be encouraged to do half of what we are asked to do?

Obedience is inconvenient. It is frightening. The results are outside of our control and we don’t always get to see them. But our God is mighty and Holy and perfect and he allows is to be a part of His mechanism when we are obedient and there is just nothing like being held in the Hand of God for a moment while He is using you to work on someone else. What an incredible blessing! May God be glorified in all things.

Respectfully,
CS

The problem, I think, arises from our often having a poor understanding of God’s forgiveness and salvation.

I discussed this recently in a blog post, titled “Does God Harbor Unforgiveness?” http://josephjpote.com/2012/02/does-god-harbor-unforgiveness/

As we come to better understand that God’s forgiveness is deliverance from sin, we realize that questions such as “Does God’s forgiveness give me license to sin?” don’t even make sense.

Why would I want to continue living in bondage to that from which I have been redeemed, and am being delivered?

Thanks for the post, Will! This one should generate some good discussion!

Not every spiritual winter is self-imposed, though. Many are born of the sorrow or pain that is simply a part of life in this fallen world.

The densest wood growth is in the winter, though. Yes, the summer yields more rapid growth, but the winter growth yields the density necessary for strength and endurance.

Thanks for sharing!

I am in wonder at how being reborn changes one’s heart. Had this question/blog come up two years ago, I would have sided with the legal ruling in a heart beat and not be moved to change my mind. “There must be accountability for that kid” would have been my thought, as it was at lunch today after I first read it. But when one understands and is mindful of what Jesus gave to them, it softens you. That softening gives you empathy and compassion on a different level because you know you are so loved and cared for by your Dad.

Chris Tomlins Amazing Grace just came to mind….”My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, My Savior has ransomed me…..” Love that song and it’s message. It is the theme for your blog today I think, so I share the link for anyone who wants to sing up the praise to their Dad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-4NFvI5U9w&ob=av2n