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Sacred Honour Witness

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Benjamin Franklin presenting the first draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress. Less than a week later, on July 4, 1776, the colonial delegates signed the Document.

  • Why Be a Moral Nation?

    In 1798 John Adams, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, one of the framers of the Constitution, and the second president of the United States of America wrote this to the new nation:

    While our country remains untainted with the principles and manners which are now producing desolation in so many parts of the world; while she continues sincere, and incapable of insidious and impious policy, we shall have the strongest reason to rejoice in the local destination assigned us by Providence. But should the people of America once become capable of that deep simulation towards one another, and towards foreign nations, which assumes the language of justice and moderation while it is practising (sic) iniquity and extravagance, and displays in the most captivating manner the charming pictures of candor, frankness, and sincerity, while it is rioting in rapine and insolence, this country will be the most miserable habitation in the world; because 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.

    Focusing on the last two sentences of the quote, John Admas’ words certainly, on first glance, are written as a warning.  True enough.  However, the embedded advice to us as a nation is that we should encourage one another to be moral, and if not inwardly moral, at least to act morally. Let me explain.

    In the earlier decades of our nation through God’s word given to us and explained within our various religious centers (churches, synagogues, etc.) young and old were presented with the truth. The Truth was reinforced and manifested through the family, community, and elected government. Even the “unchurched” were subsequently exposed to the truth of God’s word through the community of believers and saw its benefits for maintaining civil society. The Truth is a sure foundation, a rock. It is consistent. It can be relied upon. One important aspect of the truth as a foundation is that new actions and ideas can be held alongside it and judged rightfully, that is, are the actions and ideas in alignment with the Truth?

    John 8:31-31 (ESV)

    So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

    Truth sets us free and keeps us free.  Unlike the old movie line, adults and children can handle the truth.  Lies hidden in darkness only harm.  They do not help or heal.  Truth, like light, is needed to keep us healthy and to prevent us from stumbling.  Why do many people choose to act and live in darkness?  Likely acting for temporary benefit, short term gain, or hiding personal or corporate sin. We are told in scripture that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44) and the truth is not in him.  My advice?

    James 4:7 (ESV)

    Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

    Ephesians 6:16-17 (ESV)

    In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God……

  • Goats

    When I was about five years old my older brother and I were playing baseball in the backyard. The yard was in between the house and a fenced pasture. In the fenced pasture were two goats we owned – a male and a female. We were having lots of fun and then guess what? The ball was hit over the fence and into the pasture. My brother told me to climb over the fence and get the ball. (Being older and wiser he did not volunteer to go. I think he knew what might happen.)

    Well, I climbed over the fence and jumped into the pasture. I found the ball and started back to climb over the fence and into the backyard. All of a sudden, the male goat ran into me. I thought he was being friendly but soon found out he was “butting” me. And the goat kept butting me over and over and over (you get the point!). Well, my brave brother said, “Throw me the ball!” He knew what was important. The goat kept butting me and I could not get out. Next, my brother threw the bat at the goat just barely missing me! When that failed to solve the emergency (at least to me it was an emergency), he ran into the house. Where in the world was he going? Was he going to the restroom? (I know I could about now.) Getting a drink of water? Turning on the TV? (We didn’t have computers, cell phones, or the internet).

    Well, a minute later my mom came running out. She reached over the fence and pulled me out and into the backyard. Hallelujah! What a mom!! She came to the rescue just like Wonder Woman except she did not use her lasso – she saved that for Tom. Moms are really good at helping you get out of trouble. Well that was one of my first adventures with animals.

    I didn’t realize it at the time but the situation could have turned out much worse than just having a few bruises on my backside.  A day of fun quickly turned into a nightmare for a five-year-old boy.  A better decision for me before jumping over the fence to retrieve the ball would be to get some sage advice from my mom.  Sometimes as adults we think we have to act now.  Here’s some advice I heard from numerous people.

    Instead of “Just don’t stand there, do something” turn it around to “Just don’t do something, stand there”. Plan ahead. Think ahead.

  • Straight Talk About the American Dream

    “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” is a foundational phrase from the United States Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, outlining unalienable rights endowed by our Creator. 

    The American Dream is a future grounded in hope, a promise to be grasped if given the opportunity. Often in our modern society we primarily tie this dream to acquiring wealth and what that wealth can purchase. Are we missing the point?

    The hope and promise of the Gospel, that our founding fathers looked to for inspiration in writing these words, describes a path to follow for achieving life, liberty, and happiness.

    LIFE:  John 10:10 (ESV)

    “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”         

    Jesus tells us he is the author of life and the only way to fully experience it. Life is the first of three ideas stated in our Declaration of Independence.  The founding fathers pledged their lives to this idea of a people free to pursue happiness in a new country not burdened by the weight of a foreign government whose primary purpose was satisfying its need for financial resources.  Jesus was concerned about mortal life here on earth but more importantly establishing an environment that would eventually lead the believer to an immortal, spiritual life with Him and his Father in heaven.

    LIBERTY:  Luke 4:18-21 (ESV)

    “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.”

    Many Americans say we are free and point to the language and rights stated in United States Constitution.  This is certainly understandable regarding U.S. citizens who are living in this land we call America.  However, Jesus proclaiming liberty was focused on the eternal version of the person, the individual’s spirit.  I will explore this concept more in the coming months but will leave you with this thought about how to relate spiritual liberty and how the believer finds himself many times in difficult, trying, maybe even life-threatening situations here on earth.  My mother always told me during my years in school that no one can take away my education, meaning that what I have learned and placed in my mind can’t be enslaved or stolen by other people or the government.  So, it is with the Spirit of God indwelling within an individual.  The believer has internalized the knowledge and freedom allotted to us by God and we do not have to be a slave to the world.

    HAPPINESS:  Luke 19:1-6 (ESV)

    “He (Jesus) entered Jericho and was passing through. And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.”

    This is one of my favorite verses in Scripture as it describes the child-like joy that can be experienced by the believer when his relationship with God is restored as the result of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.  For Zacchhaeus, he had a high position in the community and wealth but no joy (I’ll say happiness) until he met Jesus.  True happiness is much more than the temporary “fix” of a pay raise or a new car.  The pursuit of happiness allows us to fail but does not mean we are a failure.  I grew up in dairy farm country.  Farmers are a tough breed and all experience setbacks and failures.  However, they do not give up, not because the government tells them they cannot, but because they are free – at liberty – to pursue their dreams. 

    My intent is to explore and expand on each of these areas reflecting on personal experiences, observations, and the real challenges to understand and wholly trust in Jesus Christ to deliver on God’s promises.