[327 words]
In his farewell address of 1796, George Washington famously stated, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to a political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
A couple of years later John Adams said, “We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion.”
We can see the results of unbridled human passions. As we consume the news and learn of those advocating anarchy; as we see people beaten and terrorized at “anti-hate” rallies; while we are surrounded by so much turmoil, we seek answers. Anyone claiming to be able to govern self or country without God is confused and mistaken.
While the words of statesmen like Washington and Adams are profound and helpful, the words of Scripture are necessarily prescriptive and universal.
Proverbs 14:12 (16:25) — “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Jeremiah 10:23 — “I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.
The ugly things we are seeing will not go away, they will not be corrected, until there is a shift in the way people think. Selfishness and chaos lead to destruction. A life patterned after Christ leads to stability and flourishing. A life bought by the blood of Christ leads to security that is to be enjoyed both now and forever (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 7:14-17).
In a world that is increasingly defined by instability, it is good to know that we have support. Our indispensable support is found in Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 1:10). Let us lean upon Him and find true stability.
Bart Warren
Glasgow, KY