The people of the republic known as the United States are looking for a leader who will be wise and strong enough to lead the nation out of the morass of the economical and moral morass that has developed ever since 1900. The economic dilemma began quietly with Woodrow Wilson and the economic and moral quagmire continued with FDR. The economic mess began quietly too with the programs that allowed the government to take from one and give to another under the name the New Deal. The people never made the connection that it is immoral to receive the earnings of another without working for them in a free exchange of labor or goods known as free enterprise. Those programs in the New Deal competed with free enterprise and they continue in one form or another in the year 2012.

Any idea that government can save people from their own folly by creating programs to help and feed the unproductive is counter of the Bible message. Paul wrote, For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (II Thessalonians 3:10) The actual meaning is those who do not work should not expect to eat and yet in our society, many not only expect to eat, but demand that the government take care of them. If it weren’t the government using the force, such tactics would be called coercion, extortion and robbery, all felonious behavior. And those acts are immoral without question.

As the nation wallows in an ever increasing economic disaster, morality is seldom mentioned. It is as though the people believe that when the economic problem is solved, the immoral issues will be corrected at the same time. That is not true. Money and morals have a connection when money is used improperly in a quest to satisfy illicit desires, greed and lust for riches. Paul wrote For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (I Timothy 6:10) The love of money has paved the way for the immoral conditions that exist in the republic. With the eyes centered on money, evil of all kinds has gained a foothold in all areas of life, ranging from government to churches to schools to the public in general. Sinful behavior of homosexuality, pederasty, pornography, drug use, murder, and theft by public officials are reported daily in the news. The problem is both love of money and the behaviors of people whose minds are turned away from God.

Now that the republic faces dire consequences of government intrusion and poor leadership, the people are looking for a leader in all the wrong places. A politician cannot change the direction of this republic unless God and his principles are upper most in the leader’s mind. Just as the one who will be the leader must turn to God, the people must return to his ways as well. Until both, that is the would be leader and the people, ask for God’s help and then begin to implement his ways, the republic will not and cannot change. In Jeremiah 10:23 we find O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Jeremiah knew the truth and in the verse, 24 he said, 24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. He asked God to direct his steps with God’s judgment. That will change the face of our republic when our leaders and the people begin to seek God and follow his ways.

Loud and raucous voices decry any idea that God has a place in public life, ranting that God believers want to set up a theocracy. Yet, the founders relied on God’s wisdom and help when this republic was formed and did not create a theocracy. Nowhere in their writings did they advocate such a system, nor did they rely on money or give place to immorality.

God and faith in him were the foundations that guided the men of old to give us the republic. Only God and a working faith in him can turn this republic around. In Sorting it Out, faith in the wrong place will not do it.

 © 11-19-2011 DEC