There is an old adage, “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, she will cease to be great.”  Politicians of all stripes have used these words in support of their platforms, offering their own political ideologies as worthy specimens of what constitutes “good.”  Interestingly enough what one politician calls “good” is labeled “evil” by the next.  It seems that our leaders, their constituents and hordes of followers cannot agree on even the most basic of all truths.  I for one believe that we were better off when the basic standard for right and wrong was not up for debate.  The unprecedented perversions of proud generations of men and women who believe themselves to be fate’s appointment to the world’s successive leadership posts, have and will continue to lead us into perilous times.

  Thankfully, right is not right because of how we think or feel, and wrong is not wrong because it doesn’t suit our fancy.  There is a standard produced outside of the human race, intended by our Creator God to be the spiritual, moral, political and civil absolutes by which His creatures are governed.  He created mankind with cognitive powers and volition (a free will) so that he might choose for himself the path that leads to life and light around His throne, or death and darkness that ends in the solitary torment of a world without God.

  Obviously, there are those who think they can have the best of both worlds.  They promote a lifestyle of self gratification with an occasional honorable mention of the Divine.  But the Almighty says, “Be sure, your sins will find you out. (Numbers 32:23).”

  Interested in knowing the truth?  How about knowing the God of truth?  The only thing that stands between you and a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father is your sin.  But there is good news!  “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)”

  One of the many metaphors of the Bible pertaining to the Church, and specifically the pastor of the church, is that of the Shepherd.  The Greek word for Shepherd, poimen, is used several times in reference to Christ (i.e. Hebrews 13:20; 1Peter 2:25) but in Ephesians 4:11 the word obviously refers to the pastors of churches.  “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors (shepherds) and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11).”

  The job of the shepherd of sheep, is to protect his flock, guide them to green pasture, feed them and provide life giving water, to love them and be willing to sacrifice life and limb for their well being.  When it comes to the other side of the analogy, the shepherding of men, we have to look no further than Christ for the perfect example.  He was the “Good Shepherd,” who literally gave Himself for His sheep.

    Would to God that the burden of protecting, feeding, watering, nurturing and loving were taken more seriously by every God appointed shepherd (pastor) of our day. “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28).”   “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1Peter 5:2).” 

  It is a sobering fact that God holds us who are called Pastor accountable for the quality care and guidance that we provide for HIS sheep.  “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17).”

  Lord, help me to be this kind of pastor!  Lord, bless my sheep!

  The Bible says that you are more than another animal, you have an eternal spirit that will live forever somewhere.  God forbid, but if you were killed in an accident today, where would you spend eternity?

  Some continually dismiss the thought, thinking that they will get around to it later, but no one is guaranteed a tomorrow; people die unexpectedly every day.  God says, “Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14).”

  So, where will you spend eternity?  God says there are only two options: heaven or hell.  To say, “I plan to spend eternity in heaven,”  begs the question, How do you propose to get there?  Every possible answer falls into one of two categories: either you plan to go to heaven because of what you have done (i.e. baptism, church attendance, good deeds, etc.), or you plan to go to heaven because of what has been done for you.  All religions promote a “you can do it” philosophy.  They believe that heaven is reserved for those who do, or don’t do, certain things.  Their hope is that in the day of judgment, their good will outweigh their bad.  They will be disappointed.

  Only biblical Christianity teaches that salvation is “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us… (Titus 3:5a).” “Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9).” Salvation is a relationship with God, to those who choose to accept it as a gift from God; but like any gift, if you try to earn it, it ceases to be a gift. 

  Jesus, the Son of God, left heaven to die on a cross and pay the penalty for your sins.  He was buried, but rose again on the third day, and is alive to offer you His blood bought forgiveness as a gift from God.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).”  Salvation is received by placing your dependence upon what Christ has done for you!

  Perhaps you have heard the word pluralism in the context of church or religion before, but do you realize the far reaching effects that it has had on our nation?  Pluralism is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as, “a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain an autonomous participation in and development of their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization.”

  A couple of words in the definition are a bit troubling to me.  Though it sounds warm and fuzzy for people of different faiths to come together in one culture and live happily ever after, the reality of it is that many religions of the world are by nature mutually exclusive.  Some, as we have been made painfully aware in these last several years, obligate themselves to eliminate those who don’t see things their way.

  One’s religion, by nature, defines his world view.  Questions like: Where did I come from?  Where am I going?  What am I to do along the way?  are answered in accordance with one’s world view.  How you answer these questions will determine how your life will affect the “common civilization” mentioned in defining pluralism.  The reality is that our nation or any other with a pluralistic world view, is divided against itself.  Jesus warned that, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (Matthew 12:25).”

  The only hope for a pluralistic society is for its citizens to discover and agree upon what is truth.  Reason requires that when men differ either one is right and the other wrong, or perhaps both are wrong, but both cannot be right.  There is only one truth and everything else is a lie.  From the beginning of time, wise men have determined to“let God be true, but every man a liar… (Romans 3:4)”  History bears it out: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12).”  …and cursed are those who forget the Lord.

  It becomes increasingly apparent that humanity does not like to answer to any authority.  They do not want to be policed, surveilled or even instructed in matters that pertain to international, national, regional, local, familial or personal matters.  In a word, they want to be “Free.”  This proposed freedom is not the freedom that was purchased by the blood of countless thousands, shed on battlefields that circumvent the globe, but a redefined freedom whose definition looks very similar to that of the word Anarchy.

  Most Americans would be against Socialism if they would take the time to understand that it is a stepping stone to full fledged Communism in which everyone is subject to the ruling class.  Though the Communist Play Book says that the ruling class will dissolve as a perfect society is formed, that has never been the case.  But then the only thing that we have learned from history for sure, is that we don’t learn anything from history.

  Why the blind-push for what will ultimately result in anarchy and tyranny?  Man is selfish and self-centered by nature.  Who wants to be told what to do by man—or by God?  We want to have it our way, but never stop to consider what the world would be like if the almost 8 billion people who live on planet Earth, all have it their way, at the same time.

  This is why God, from the beginning, created us to be dependent upon Him.  Also, as Creator and Sustainer, He has established ground rules and moral absolutes to promote health, happiness and purpose among His creatures.  He has ordained that authority structure be utilized in every institution and organization known to man.  He is a God of order.

  So, we were created to be dependent, and to answer to authority.  But we were also created with a free will (the right to choose), because God did not want robots or puppets, but people—souls who could choose to submit or to rebel.  Those who submit will have the privileged opportunity of fellowship with Him forever, by faith in Jesus Christ.  Those who rebel will not.