Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – July 3, 2020
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit. Judges 21:25
Spiritual and moral decline is the fruit of a nation or person who abandons absolutes. Once absolutes are dismissed, liberties are limited. A decline in spiritual fervor and moral purity always leads to the loss of freedom. For example, a home or car left unlocked in the past is locked today for fear of robbery. Indeed, small losses of freedom lead to larger losses of freedom. Without standards based on absolutes, absolutely anything can go.
The threat of stealing moves from your home to corporate America, where in some cases, billions of dollars have been bilked to justify a short-term illusion of success to investors. Immoral and unspiritual individuals become deceptive and dishonest if allowed to do what is right in their own eyes. Without boundaries and absolutes, anything can go, and if anything can go, your freedom will deteriorate and eventually be destroyed.
The cultural battle that rages in our country is over the soul of our society. If absolutes win, then our children and grandchildren will see their cherished rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness extended. Therefore, will we bow to the false promise of freedom wrapped in the guise of no absolutes, or will we expose the lie and uphold God’s standards and His definition of absolutes? People flourish where freedom loudly rings!
Yes, we lead out of love and compassion; however, there are behavioral boundaries to be guarded with vigilance. When the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage are under attack, we cannot sit passively by and just pray. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a mandate to defend these bedrocks of civilization. Yes, we are busy, and yes, we have our own problems to deal with, but “you ain’t seen nothing yet” if good people do nothing.
Your freedom will continue to deteriorate like the “frog in the kettle” that is unaware but slowly boiling to death. We should be the thermostats of society, not the barometers, and the influencers rather than the ones being influenced. Consider how you might get involved in the parent-teacher association at your child’s school or the local government. Volunteer in church or ministries that need your skill set, gifts, and passion. Model the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) as you influence the culture for Christ.
Public policy is a reflection of private morality and spirituality. Absolutes abided by absolutely guarantee your freedom. So, by God’s grace, continue to raise the bar of expectations and absolutes so that everyone is doing what is right in the Lord’s eyes.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the moral courage to do what’s right, as You define what’s right in the Bible, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
How can I best model and live out His absolutes in my life and in the life of my family? How would Christ have me engage in our cultural battle?
Related Reading
Genesis 4:7; Deuteronomy 6:18; Galatians 5:22; Hebrews 13:7–9
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