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