PILLAR #2 

Common Law

     This concept developed in heathen Germanic tribes. American colonists adopted common law around 1618. The British did so in 1688. 

     This was nothing new. "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they show the work of the law is written on their hearts..." (Rom. 2:14-15). 

     From Jeremiah: "After those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Hebrews 8:10). 

     Pilgrims who arrived at Plymouth were different. These "separatists," were used to self-governance. They landed well off their course and beyond the limits of their charter. They had no predetermined governor, nor were they sure what to do with those who were not Puritans. 

     Their remarkable solution was the Mayflower Compact, which established political equality, giving the strangers equal vote, while appealing to the king that they were not defiant. Jamestown and Plymouth were new in human history. 

     In the New World that would become America, the people handled whatever "crown" there was. They remained English subjects, but locally they pursued self-government like nowhere else on earth. 

Next: PILLAR #3, Private property with titles and deeds.

PILLAR #1 

The United States' founding as a 

Christian, mostly Protestant, religious state

     This is critical, for reasons of church governance. The Protestant Reformation swept across parts of Europe. But in those countries, governance remained top down. The German Lutheran Church resembled the Catholic Church in Rome. 

     The Church of England was not Protestant, protesting nothing except whether Henry VIII could remarry at will. 

     There were Puritans in England who wanted change, and who practiced "bottom up" polity - collective identity. They considered the people, rather than any sort of institutional hierarchy, best suited to govern. 

     No other nation in history has been founded with bottom-up faith and bottom-up governance. 

     Of note, the first permanent English settlement was the Jamestown colony, 1607, not Puritans but Anglicans, later known as Episcopalians. 

Next: PILLAR #2, Common Law

Are We Exceptional? 

     July 4th fireworks have come and gone. 

     Progressives (we say, they are regressive) demean the holiday. They don't celebrate our independence. 

     Some of us forgot or never knew that July 4th is about the Colonies gaining independence from England. Or that the Declaration of Independence was adopted July 4, 1776. 

     Professor Larry Schweikar, U. of Dayton, now living in Arizona, discusses "four pillars" that shaped the U.S. We will summarize them in Views by the Sea. 

     But first, he says, "Lots of nations have gained independence - French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese - and many immediately fell back into tyranny." Germany and Japan began with constitutions and democratic practices, only to fall under oppression, and are democratic again after World War II. 

     Latin American countries free from Spain, he says, suffered a century of upheaval and military coups. France needed five tries to get its republic right. "In short," he writes, "independence doesn't necessarily mean much in itself. So why do we celebrate ours?" 

      There were a few ancient societies with variations in which the people ran things. But, as in Rome, only the upper classes counted as people. (Remember that.) The Dutch republic came close to democracy, but they were entirely under Spanish or British protection. "It's easy," he says, "if you don't have insiders to vie for power."

      Schweikar and author David Daugherty investigated, compared and contrasted, arriving at four distinct differences (on the whole) between America and any other country in history. They call these traits the "four pillars of American exceptionalism." No country in history, even today, had or has the first two pillars. 

Tomorrow: Pillar #1 

By Word and Splendor   

     We left off Monday with the man of lawlessness "exalting himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, setting himself up in God's temple proclaiming himself to be God." 

     "His counterfeit miracles and every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing - because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved - are the work of Satan."

     "The Lord Jesus will overthrow (him) with the breath of his mouth and by the splendor of his coming." 2 Thess. 2:8 

     Paul concludes chapter 2: 

     "But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth." 

     "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word or by letter." 

     "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father - who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope - encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 

Next: Is America really exceptional?

The Central Issue  

     Not our birthday. Not the next election. Not who wins the game.

     The central issue from creation to now is our relationship with God. Do we love him? Or do we disregard him, his Word...the truth. 

     In his letters to the Thessalonians, Paul sets aside instructions about faith in order to address false teaching that the church has heard about the "day of the Lord." The Lord had to have given Paul this forecast. There is no other way he could have known these troubles to come. 

     Chapter 2 of the second letter teaches that those who have heard the truth but failed to love and follow, will be given a "powerful delusion." They will be forever "doomed in the power of darkness." 

     There will be salvation during this "tribulation" offered to those who never had opportunity to know the truth. There will be "servants of God," 144,000 from the tribes of Israel (12,000 from each tribe), Revelation 7:4-8, along with two "witnesses" and angels, proclaiming the gospel across the earth.  

     The church (those who were not taken up by Christ - the rapture before the tribulation) will be guilty of apostasy. They will be condemned, having chosen falsehood. 

     The "day of the Lord" having begun, the "man of lawlessness," the antichrist, will be in power, and evil will be progressively unrestrained. 

Next: Who can oppose the all-powerful man? 

       

What's to Become of Us?  

     Our daily news doesn't get any better does it?  

     As we wonder where the world's trouble is taking us, there was someone who knew the truth - if not timing - long ago. The Lord stopped Saul in his tracks to claim him and offer him an assignment unlike any other, now with the name Paul. 

     His letters to various churches delivered God's will regarding the gospel and matters of living. But his outreach to those in Thessalonia went beyond. 

     In chapter 1 of the second letter, Paul writes of faith, love, perseverance and suffering. Then he provides a view to future events, telling of coming punishment and "the majesty" of the Lord's power. 

     Partial relief will come to God's people at some point. Then the Lord will return in final judgment and begin to govern the human race. 

     His power and glory will destroy the present world system, followed by his thousand-year reign from Jerusalem. 

     As God provided knowledge to Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel and various prophets, he spoke directly, in Jesus, and then to the disciples and Paul. It is important for us - while we frown about our daily news - to take hold of the promise God made to those who trust in the grace of our God. 

     One more thing. Years after Paul, God spoke to us through the last disciple, John. Revelation is a "book" like no other. Paul had received a partial revelation, which we include this week.  

 Next: He is coming for us

Source of Life

     Yesterday we wrote about people who might do spectacular things in the name of God, without realizing that Jesus "doesn't know" them. Why? Because they don't follow the Spirit's lead. 

     The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 6:63

     If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. "Whoever believes in me," as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.  

     Up to that time, the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:38-39.

      

What Really Counts?

     The need to heed.

     Getting back to "how do we know?" - we've been busy - here is something from the Word of God that Christians need to heed. 

     All Scripture is "God breathed." Matthew wrote what Jesus said, long after Jesus had returned to the Father. Chapter 7:21-23: 

     Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" 

     Commentary: Jesus taught that carrying out the will of his heavenly Father was a condition for entering the kingdom of heaven. 

     We don't merit salvation by our own efforts or works alone. God's forgiveness comes through faith and repentance made possible by the grace and sacrificial death of Christ. Obedience to God's will is an ongoing condition for salvation...again, by his grace.

     Elsewhere, we read that we are to put sin to death and present ourselves to God as living sacrifices. Am I a living sacrifice? Are you? We are capable of doing God's will only by virtue of God's grace, power and spiritual life - continually given through Christ. Ephesians 5:2.

     "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." God's gift of grace does not annul human responsibility or action. We remain free to reject his grace and refuse to draw near to God through Christ. He wants (demands?) a relationship with each of us. If we do great works on our own, we will spend eternity alone.

 

How Do We Know? 

     There are plenty of sins. little sins. medium sins. big sins. 

     Eve ate forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, and Adam followed likewise. Disobedience. Like it or not, we all inherit the problem. 

     God is willing to forgive. He presents himself in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - each with a role countering Lucifer in the battle for the hearts of human beings. 

     The Spirit is "contrary" to our sinful nature. What does that mean? Jesus the Son suffered horribly to take upon himself the penalty for all our sins, even little sins. Then he appeared alive, God in human form, scars and all. Hundreds witnessed the risen Christ.  

     Upon belief and confession, we silently receive the Spirit in our hearts. God made. God came. God suffered. God rules with grace and mercy for all who trust and obey. 

     He provides his Spirit to lead those who truly believe. He knows that without help we mortals are incapable of growing in his likeness. If we are led by the Spirit, we are no longer under "the law." Not that the law is cancelled ... not one comma or period or dash.

     How do we know we have the silent Spirit of life, our citizenship transferred to heaven? In Galatians 5:13-25 Paul gives us indicators, the "fruit of the Spirit." 

     Do we have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control? Given fruit. Not forbidden. 

     Jesus: The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63)     

     Coming soon: More about what counts. You may be surprised.

Biblical Values Anyone?

Part 4

     President Biden, who doesn't follow truth unless it happens to support his truth, has been played by the Marxist left. He is so grounded in his own importance, he will accommodate anyone who keeps him in the Oval Office, his life-long goal.    

     Biblical values and morality - not on the socialist agenda. The left considers human self-fulfillment, satisfaction and pleasure to be the highest good. Your difficulties in life? Cope as best you can. 

     The philosophy of humanism began with Satan in the garden, an expression of his lie that humans can be like God (Genesis 3:5). Scripture identifies humanists as those who have "exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator" (Romans 1:25). 

     Christian and Jewish leaders and parents must protect their children from humanistic indoctrination by exposing its error and instilling in them a godly contempt for its destructive influence (Romans 1:20-32; Jude 4-20; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; 2 Timothy 3:1-10).

     America and Israel are the last prizes Satan needs to seize. For more than 60 years, he has made progress cancelling our faith. Just one example: Hillary Clinton telling us to leave our faith at the church...it's not welcome anywhere else. Remember that? 

     Satan seems to have no problem with the "faith" of Muslims. 

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Secular Humanism, in pursuit of happiness 

Part 3

     The man asks, "What does the philosophy of humanism teach?" 

     He answers his own question: "It teaches that humans have not been created but are the product of a chance process of evolution."

     Stop! If our government believes that, look out. No matter what they promise, our future is no more secure than those in the "third world." 

     Those living the high life, flush with money, do not fear a personal, infinite God. They dismiss the Bible. They overlook massive evidence of creation all around us.

     The "wise" assume knowledge does not exist apart from human discovery. Therefore, human beings - them, not us - are the ultimate authority.

     We want our "authorities" to be kind, fair and honest. But without fear of God, why would they bother? 

     Human power has ruled throughout history. And today there are more tools than history ever imagined. We keep saying, everything we invent can be used against us. 

     "Moral standards" seem like a worthy idea. But when secular humanism defines the standards, the pursuit of happiness will lead wherever it will. Happiness for one may result in misery for another.

Final: Biblical values

Deceptive Philosophers 

Part 2

     During the 1800s, an American newspaper published the writings of Karl Marx. In the 1930s, Hitler forced communists out of Germany. They relocated to America, where their successors have taken control of the Democratic Party.

     The USA is a magnet for normal people fleeing nations without life and liberty. But will they find it? The freedom so prized by those who sailed on the Mayflower is not on the agenda of hard leftists.

     Christians in America - except for our missionaries - have been so privileged we don't know what it is to "stand up for Jesus" in the face of opposition and threats. Our government has been agreeable over the decades not because most politicians are people of faith, but millions of voters have been. 

     That is changing. Some commentary: 

     The apostle Paul warned us to be on guard against all philosophies, religions and traditions that emphasize functioning independently of God and his written revelation. (Paul was referring to the Old Testament; his and other letters had not yet become "scripture.") 

     The great threat to Biblically based Christianity is "secular humanism." This is the underlying philosophy and "religion" in most secular education, government and society in general - throughout the world. It's amazing that true Christian faith - not what passed for truth in Rome over many centuries - survived this long. It's also amazing that Jewish faith survived for centuries without a base in Jerusalem. 

     If you meet God, ask him why he gives Satan such a long leash, from Adam to now, and beyond. American Christians (and Jews) will be tested, as God continues to seek people of hope and faith...those he calls my people who are called by my name. 

Next: The pursuit of happiness

 

 

         

Who Will You Serve? 

Part 1

     Americans choose who we will serve...not only at election time, but daily. Most serve our secular government and its promises. Many wish to serve a government which adheres to the Constitution, laws and practices upholding life and liberty. (You can add pursuit of happiness if that makes you happy.) 

     Christians and Jews, while required to obey secular laws, are first to love and serve the Lord, separated from the world. Take Joshua, who followed Moses as leader of the 12 tribes. 

     After Israel crossed the Jordan River into Canaan, the land God had promised, Joshua assembled the people for a covenant renewal before he died. 

     "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served or the gods of the Ammonites. As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 

     The people said, "We will serve the Lord." Not long after Joshua and the elders died, they forsook the Lord.  

Next: Deceptive philosophy

     

     

 Part 6

Love Surpasses Knowledge 

     In Ephesians chapter 3, Paul refers to the "mystery made known by the Spirit - for ages past kept hidden in God who created all things." 

     "Now, revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets, the mystery was that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, and sharers together in the promise of Christ Jesus." 

     "I pray that...he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being...through faith. I pray that you, being established in love may have power with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge."

     "To him be the glory...throughout all generations for ever and ever."

Commentary:  

     The true church is founded on Christ's revelation to the original messengers, witnesses and representatives of the crucified and risen Lord. Their testimony is preserved in the New Testament, valid for all times. 

     All believers depend on the words and faith of the first apostles as recorded in the book of Acts, and their inspired writings. 

     Christ: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8   

     We are so close. God is known both as "Messiah" and "Christ," one and the same, just different languages. Some 25,000 Jews accept this. All will know this when He - "Faithful and True" - returns to Jerusalem on a white horse to "rule the nations with an iron scepter." Rev. chapter 19 

     And Jews will begin a millennium of peace and prosperity. No more mystery. 

Part 5

Peace by the Blood, Not Law 

     Paul, the descendant of Abraham, tribe of Benjamin, told the Ephesian Gentiles to remember that they were once separated ... excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise (to Abraham's seed), without hope and without God (Ephesians v. 2:12). 

     "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ" (v. 2:13).

     "He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace. And in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, through which he put to death their hostility." 

     In verses 17-18, "He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit." 

     Access. We who have faith in Christ have the freedom and right to approach our heavenly Father with confidence that we will be accepted, loved and welcomed. 

     This access is gained through Christ who shed his blood on the cross and his intercession for all who come to him (Hebrews 7:25). 

     Ephesians vv. 19-20 - "You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." 

     "In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. You are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit" (v. 21).

Conclusion: Love surpasses knowledge

 

Part 4

Grace Offered; Faith Required; Gift Given 

     If we skimmed over the word "incomparable," Paul adds: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." 

     When the saved arrive in heaven, no one will stick out his chest and claim to be deserving. The Lord's grace is greater than all our "good works" put together. By grace he calls us to repentance and faith. With this call comes the work of the Holy Spirit, giving us the power and ability to respond to God, by his grace.

     Once we are "born again," Christ gives continuing grace to live the Christian life, resist sin and serve God - with good works. God's grace operates within committed believers both to will and to act according to God's good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13). From start to finish, salvation is by the grace of God. There are tons of scriptures for this.

     If the Lord wants to reward individuals for good works which he inspires by grace, he still gets the glory. 

     "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).     

Next: Peace by blood, not by law