OceanSide church of Christ

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RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION

Victor M. Eskew

 

     As a king over a mighty nation, Solomon understood what makes a kingdom great.  He summed it up in one verse in Proverbs 14:34.  “Righteousness exalteth a nation:  but sin is a reproach to any people.”  Notice that righteousness is contrasted with sin in this verse.  Thus, righteousness is whatever sin is not.  Sin is the transgression of God’s law (I John 3:4).  Therefore, righteousness involves adhering to the dictates of God’s Word.  If a nation desires greatness, God and His Word must remain at the core of all policies.

     Over the past forty or fifty years, our nation had drifted from the thought that is on our currency, “In God We Trust.”  Prayer has been removed from schools.  The Ten Commandments cannot be displayed in public places on government property.  There has been talk of removing the phrase, “one nation under God,” from the Pledge of Allegiance, and special interest groups are constantly screaming for the separation of church and State.  The rights of Christians are quickly being taken away while the rights of those who practice evil are protected and extended.

     Our politicians have caved in on many important issues of our day.  Abortion is protected under the concept of “freedom of choice.”  Homosexuality is supported as an alternate lifestyle.  World religions such as Islam and Hinduism are viewed as wholesome alternatives to Christianity.  Regulations to restrict sex before marriage, pornography, and pedophilia are viewed as legislating morality.  This is not to mention the fact that character seems to mean absolutely nothing when it comes to leadership.  We are told that lying, extortion, and fornication do not impact the way a leader governs our nation.

     Perhaps this digression is to be expected of worldly people.  It is not, however, to be tolerated by members of the body of Christ.  We have been exhorted by Paul, saying:  “And be not conformed to this world…”  (Rom. 12:2).  Sadly, many brethren have not given heed to these words in the realm of politics.  They are more concerned about financial matters than faith matters.  Taxes, Social Security, health care, prescription drugs, gas prices, and government subsidies have become the basis of their political decisions.  Moral and spiritual concerns take a back seat, if they are even found within their “vehicle of decision-making” at all.  Members of the church will vote for the most immoral person just because he/she will put a little more money in their pocketbook.  Have they forgotten that it is God who blesses our lives and not our corrupt political leaders?

     King Solomon wrote:  “Righteousness exalteth a nation.”  He should know.  As the king of Israel, he departed from the ways of God by marrying many strange women.  They led his heart away from Jehovah and into many idolatrous practices.  He laid a foundation of sin among the Israelites.  The idolatry of Israel ultimately led to both the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities.  The northern nation never returned from their destruction.  Only a remnant from the south came back.  Our prayer is that Israel and Judah will both serve as a warning for our nation, and especially members of the church.  Ultimately, God is in control.  He will deal with those nations that forget Him.  “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Ps. 9:17).  The United States does not have to continue as a nation.  Rome no longer exists.  Our prayer is that our nation will continue.  Her pursuit of righteousness is they key.