America celebrated her 242nd birthday as a nation Wednesday July 4, 2018. Our Presidents often utter a three-word prayer that is prayed by millions – "God Bless America." But comedian Jay Leno reminds us some would rather blast America than bless her. He said, "A new book lists all the countries that hate the United States. It's called the World Atlas." He overstated the case, but it is clear "America" does not mean the same thing to everyone. The comedian George Carlin once said, "I don't get all choked up about yellow ribbons and American flags. I see them as symbols, and I leave them to the symbol-minded." I don't want to be symbol-minded, and I don’t believe God is a flag-waving American, and I know the world is a complex place. But I don’t want to forget the history or sacrifices behind the American flag. There is enough wrong with America to trouble thoughtful people. Scripture testifies, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). That being true, there is cause for alarm. Public morality is now more accurately public immorality. Personal freedoms and choices have replaced principled behavior and personal responsiblity. Sexual sin has been scrubbed clean of its stigma as wrong. Millions now worship at the altar of uncritical tolerance, and the result is the abnormal has been declared to be the "new normal." As was said of Israel long ago, it seems to be the case today – "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6). Shame is out of the closet and into the homes and hearts of millions via media, music, movies, the Internet, etc. Attitudes about abortion, divorce, modesty, honesty, and respect for authority have seen seismic shifts in majority opinion in recent decades, and our laws now reflect those shifts. Besides moral and marriage matters, money, material things and pursuit of pleasure are popular American idols. Racial tension, domestic violence, drug abuse – truly sin is a reproach and disgrace to any people, including the American people.
So, is there any good news? Yes. In spite of all that is wrong with America, much is good and right. Millions of citizens get up daily and go to work to support their families. Millions do not rob, rape, rebel, lie or cheat or steal, abuse their kids, or commit adultery. These good citizens love their country, pay their taxes, vote, salute the flag, and seek to be good neighbors. They show courtesy to the elderly, respect the law, and pray for our leaders. They seek to obey the inspired directive in 1 Timothy 2:1-3: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." I urge you to remember those words. Daniel Webster said, " Whatever makes men good Christians, makes them good citizens." If you truly want to help America be a better place, start with yourself. Be honest. Work a job. Take care of your family. Avoid hatred and prejudice. Don’t abuse drugs. Spread the gospel. And pray. If you do these things, you will be helping America and will honor God in the process
By: Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN
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