Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Why Liiberty Needs God

 Why Liiberty Needs God by Dr. Jim Denison

In such a global conflict between totalitarianism and freedom, you and I have a foundational role to play.
George Washington famously observed in his 1796 Farewell Address: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports." Our first president added that "reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
Consensual democracy depends upon consensual morality, but as Gen. Washington noted, morality requires religion. C. S. Lewis explained why in Mere Christianity: "You cannot make men good by law; and without good men you cannot have a good society."
The good news is that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Any of us who turns to Christ as our Savior and surrenders daily to his Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) can manifest his character (Romans 8:29; Galatians 5:22–23) in ways that empower our democracy and enrich the common good.
The bad news is that this new "Cold War" over freedom is coming at the worst time in American history for such holistic faith.
The fastest-growing religious demographic in America is that segment of our population that professes no religion. Gallup announced last year that the percentage of Americans who claim membership in a church, synagogue, or mosque has fallen below 50 percent for the first time in our nation's history. As I document in my latest book, The Coming Tsunami, our culture brands Christians as outdated, intolerant, oppressive, and dangerous on a level unprecedented in our nation's history.
As a result, it is imperative that you and I become the change we wish to see. We cannot give what we do not possess or lead others where we will not go. As I noted yesterday, our example as Spirit-empowered Christ-followers can attract our secular culture to the One who is transforming us by his love and grace. But if we are "conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2), why would the world want what we have?
We will continue this vital conversation tomorrow. For today, I invite you to join me in asking God to empower a great movement of believers who say to Jesus every day, "Whatever you ask, whatever it takes, whatever the cost." Then let's answer our prayer with our daily, holistic submission to our King.
In The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee observed: "Not until the Lordship of Jesus Christ is a settled thing in our hearts can the Spirit really operate effectively in us. He cannot direct our lives effectually until all control of them is committed to him. If we do not give him absolute authority in our lives, he can be present, but he cannot be powerful. The power of the Spirit is stayed."
Is the Lordship of Jesus Christ a "settled thing" in your heart today?
If not, why not?

No comments:

Post a Comment