Jefferson’s Words of Wisdom
The neoclassical building known as the Jefferson Memorial is situated in West Potomac Park on the shore of the Potomac River. The first time I stood in it I was impressed not only with its architectural beauty, but even more by the inscriptions on the walls that are attributed to Jefferson. Before I go further I acknowledge he, like all of us, had his flaws, though he had impressive academic acumen unlike most of us. He has not been listed in the Vatican as a saint and has no reason to be. However, by reading the inscriptions we gain insight into the mood of those founding our nation. Following are some.
In the Rotunda: “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
In the Southwest Portico: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We…solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of a right ought to be free and independent states…and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
Excerpted from the Declaration of Independence, 1776.
Northwest Portico: “Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens…are a departure from the plan of the holy Author of our religion…No man shall be compelled to frequent or support religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.”
On the Northeast Portico: “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.”
Pray that sound reasoning may once again prevail as evidence that God is blessing America. Be a prayer warrior for America.
Our National Heritage
Even as we pause to celebrate the birth of our nation, revisionists are extending themselves in efforts to destroy the foundations of faith on which our nation was established. What is their purpose? They profess it to be noble, but anyone who knows even the most elemental truth about construction knows what happens to a building when its foundation is destroyed.
Detractors attack the intellect of those who defend the influence of faith in our founding and exploit occasional misquotes by defenders. They argue correctly that many of the founders were not Christians, but fail to acknowledge their knowledge of, regard for, and subscription to Biblical principles. However, the record is replete with the testimony of legitimate historians who affirm the faith factor. Likewise those closely associated with the founding of our nation testify of the faith factor. Consider these attestants.
The “Father of Our Country,” George Washington, aligned patriotism with political prosperity, religion and morality when he asserted, “In vain would that man claim patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness.”
In a letter from John Adams written to Thomas Jefferson on June 28, 1813, Adams wrote: “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
A vital opinion of the founding our nation is found in the Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States of America, January 23, 1856, p. 354: “The great, vital, and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and the divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence and a ratifier of the Constitution in a letter to Elias Boudinot dated July 9, 1788, wrote: “I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.”
George Washington acknowledged his opinion of the importance of Divine influence in our national emergence in these words regarding the Constitution. “[The adoption of the Constitution] will demonstrate as visibly the finger of Providence as any possible event in the course of human affairs can ever designate it.”
Daniel Webster, who served as Secretary of State under three presidents, noted, “I regard it [the Constitution] as the work of the purest patriots, and wisest statesmen that ever existed, aided by the smiles of a benignant [gracious] Providence…it almost appears a Divine interposition in our behalf….”
Benjamin Franklin did not shrink from acknowledging his belief in God at work in forging our Constitution. “I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence that I can hardly conceive a transaction of such momentous importance [as the framing of the Constitution]… should be suffered to pass without being in some degree influenced, guided, and governed by that…beneficent Ruler in whom all inferior spirits live and move and have their being.”
Having been bequeathed such a legacy, it is incumbent upon this generation to defend it and live so as to show appreciation for it.
God Blessed America
This time gives America an opportunity for renewal. If you know how to pray, pray.
In 1746 the fledgling colony of Massachusetts was threatened by a French invasion force never seen in this hemisphere. Ninety six French vessels were assembled off the coast of New England, prepared to attack Boston. The armada consisted of forty well armed war ships and fifty-six troop transports. Their mission was to destroy all coastal cities from Massachusetts to Georgia.
Aboard the transports were 13,000 soldiers awaiting their assignment to go ashore after the ensuing bombardment and burn what remained.
Governor William Shirley issued a proclamation calling on the people to pray.
It was a bright sunny day, October 16, when hundreds made their way to the Old South Church to pray.
Reverend Thomas Prince ascended the high pulpit and began an impassioned fervent prayer. “Deliver us from our enemy,” he entreated. “Send Thy tempest, Lord, upon the waters to the eastward.”
His booming voice resonated through the building as he continued to pray. “Rise Thy right hand. Scatter the ships of our tormentors and drive them hence.”
The people enjoined the plea for divine aid asking not only that they be protected, but that the French oppressor should be destroyed. Suddenly the bright sunlight that illuminated the church faded. A wind of such force rattled the windows. Pounding rain on the roof reverberated in the church.
Prince continued undisturbed to pray, “Sink their proud frigates beneath the power of Thy winds,” he cried out.
Eerily the church bell moved by the wind tolled twice prompting Prince to pray: “We hear Thy voice, O Lord! We hear it! Thy breath is upon the waters to the eastward, even upon the deep. The bell tolls the death of our enemies!”
As the storm abated Governor Shirles sent the sloop, “The Rising Son” to obtain news of the French fleet.
The captain reported nearly the entire fleet was destroyed. Distraught by what had happened to their mighty fleet, the Admiral and Vic Admiral committed suicide. Of the 13,000 soldiers only 1,000 had survived. The badly crippled fleet set sail for France.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned his famous poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” also wrote of this miraculous event in his poem, “The Ballad of the French Fleet.”
This is but one of several instances we as a nation have been blessed by God. Pray for the next.
Why God, Why?
“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” II Thessalonians 2: 7 – 10
Public reference to God is taboo. Taboo, that is, until something bad happens and then God is demanded to answer two questions:
Why did you let this happen?
Where were you when this happened?
Case in point Uvaldi, Texas May 24, 2022 Robb Elementary School when Salvador Rolando Ramos fatally shot nineteen students and two teachers.
Critics blame God and guns, both of which seem to be wanted out of our society. First, the question of why He let it happen. For Him not to He would have had to deprive people of one of their most cherished traits: free will and related freedom of choice. What happened there was not the fault of God. It was the failure of a man. God takes no pleasure in a travesty, a slaughter, like that. He does not will such conduct. Ramos acted outside the will of God, freely. He misused that wonderful gift.
Second, where were you, God, when that happened? That makes it sound like it was His responsibility to be the security officer on duty. Actually, our courts and broad based public opinion has said He is not wanted in classrooms.
The situation and Scripture actually are part of the great biblical principle.
Break down II Thessalonians 2: 7 – 10 and the following principles emerge.
First, “The mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” If there is lawlessness there must be law. This is a reference to the law of God encoded in His will. It changes not. Murder was forbidden even before there was one of the Ten Commandments which forbid it. It was, is, and always will be lawlessness.
Second, there is reference to “He who now restrains.” The one restraining is the Holy Spirit. He restrains, but does not restrict disobedience to God’s will.
There will come a day when “He will be taken away.” With the approach of the consummation of time His restraining influence will be removed. Lawlessness without His restraint will be rampant during the Tribulation. Then notice what happens. “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish….” Why, “because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
The Uvaldi shooter, Salvador Rolando Ramos, did not receive the love of the truth, but acted according to his free will, not that of God.
For peace and harmony to prevail the love of God must exist. That is true in society and in personal lives. Pause and pray: “Not my will, but thy will be done.”
My Best to You
II Corinthians 13: 12
Jesus Christ bonds believers together. He has been the epoxy holding us together in love.
In leaving a church he had started Paul shared a farewell message. These elements are:
I. BE COMPLETE
Paul prayed for them to be complete (Vs. 9). The word translated “complete” means to be spiritually mature . It was a word used to describe preparing an army for battle or a ship for a voyage. For the past year our Lord has been graciously equipping this ship of Zion for a wonderful voyage.
In all you do strive for perfection. Colossians 3: 23 is an exhortation to do all
you to an audience of one, the Lord.
II. BE OF GOOD COMFORT = MEANS BE ENCOURAGED
God’s Word gives reason for comfort. The future is as bright as the promises of God.
Our English word “courage” comes from the Latin “cour,” meaning “the condition of the heart. King Richard was known as “Richard the Lion Hearted,” meaning, ‘King Richard the man with the heart of a lion.”
We are born with courage but events ware on us and a prefix emerges and we become discouraged. God come along with a big eraser and removes the prefix and inserts an new one “en,” encouragement He has done that in this church.
III. BE OF ONE MIND
Scripture admonishes us to ‘let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
As diverse as we are we are going to have differing opinions at times. We may not always think alike, but we must think with the same mental attitude of Christ. That is one of love and consideration for others.
You are sheep you must flock together.
What animal do you consider to be the best hunter in Africa? Is it the lion, jaguar, or cheetah? Lions hunt in backs. Cheetahs and jaguars depend on speed. The best hunter in Africa is the Spotted Dog, or wild dog. They hunt as a family. They hunt collaboratively.
Consider “one” in a collaborative.
1 divided by 1 equals 1. 1 times 1 equals 1
1 minus 1 equals 0 1 plus one equals 2
In a collaborative the integrator is removed and 1 and 1 is 11. 1 and 1 and 1 is 111.
It is like in Quantum physics in which there is no “I” everything is “we.”
A horse pulling contest was held at a county fair. The object was to see what horse could pull the greatest weight. The winner pulled 4,500 pounds. The second place horse pulled 4,000 pounds. It would appear that together they could pull 8,500 pounds. Hitched together they actually pulled 12,000. Their synergism enabled them to pull 3,500 pounds more.
Eleven frightened followers of Christ were together in the upper room. A transforming event occurred. When they were in “one accord” they transformed the world.
Think what you can do as a church if you pull together.
IV. LIVE IN PEACE
“Live in peace” is an exhortation needed in every church. This membership has seen what happens to a church that does not live in peace. No membership can worship the God of peace in a spirit of bitterness. We must love one another before our love for God is validated.
The peace of God which passes understanding is the environment in which we abide. Live to preserve peace among yourselves.
Verse 12, needs to be understood and employed. “Greet each other with a holy kiss.” Five times this is mentioned in the New Testament. First, it is self-evident this kiss is to be a “holy kiss.”
In synagogue worship the men sat together and the women sat together. The men kissed the men and the women kissed the women. It was the custom of that era and the habit in oriental lands today for men to kiss men and women to kiss women ON THE CHEEK!
The kiss was for two purposes. One it was a sign of agreement. Second, it was their way of being friendly. Don’t get so hung up on the method and the meaning. The important thing is to “Greet one another….”
These four attributes are possible only because of two factors mentioned in concluding this.
They are:
The God of peace and the God of love is with you.
The farewell ends with a blessing pronounced:
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (Vs. 14).
The “fellowship of the Holy Spirit” is the fellowship which the Holy Spirit created between believers and God the Father and between believers themselves. A Spirit filled church is a warm and friendly church.