ONE
NATION, UNDER GOD
The
words that make up the title of this article are, at present, the subject of
controversy in our country. They were added to the Pledge of Allegiance, by
Congress during the Cold War era. Now an effort is being made to place them in
the same category as school prayer and the Ten Commandments.
Our purpose is not to
discuss the pros and cons of the use of these words in the pledge because all
nations are "under God;" most just don't know it. He makes
nations great, then destroys them; he enlarges nations, then leads them away.
He strips understanding from the leaders of the earth, and makes them wander in
a pathless waste” (Job 12:23-24). “For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules
over the nations” (Psa. 22:28).
Our purpose instead is
to discuss what is required for a nation to be under God. Is it possible for
the United States to be under God by adding the words to our pledge? Does
saying we are a nation under God fulfill what He requires of a nation pleasing
to Him?
We live in a nation
founded on godly principles and freedom of worship. Although everyone does not
accept these principles or believe in the one God, our nation has thrived on
them. From the beginning, they have guided our laws, family life and many of
our government leaders.
Because all people do
not believe in God, or His laws, sin has always existed in our nation. In fact,
even those who do believe in Him have been guilty of sin (Rom. 3:23), but sin
was never allowed to rule our nation.
This no longer seems to
be so. Consider the following:
Ø
Marriage is no
longer considered a lifetime commitment. Divorce has become "no
fault," allowing an easy out instead of working it out. A nation under God
would honor His teaching that marriage binds for life, and that God hates
divorce, with unchastity being the only acceptable reason for divorce (Mal.
2:16; Mt. 19:3-9; Rom. 7:2-3).
Ø
Adultery and
fornication are considered acceptable. Couples living together without being
married hardly raises an eyebrow. Pregnancy out of wedlock is no longer
considered disgraceful. TV and movies glamorize sex among couples almost as
soon as they meet. But God says, “Marriage is honorable in all, and
the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge (Heb. 13:4).”
Fornication and adultery is listed
among the sins that will keep one from heaven (I Cor. 6:9). A nation under God does not justify, or glamorize,
fornication and adultery.
Ø
Drug use abounds.
The use of all types of alcoholic drink is considered acceptable, and a social
necessity, even among our government leaders. Many states depend upon lottery
proceeds, and some of those that do not have a lottery are seeking them. Then
we call drug addiction, alcoholism and those addicted to gambling sick instead
of sinners. But God says: “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God (I Cor. 6:10). Yes, those addicted often are controlled by the sin,
but that would not happen if one did not begin, and continue in, the act. A
nation under God does not encourage these sins.
Ø Homosexuality is openly advocated as an alternative
lifestyle. One dare not call it sin for fear of being labeled a bigot. Our
government is joining this effort by passing laws that justify and encourage this
lifestyle. Many religious denominations have the gull to teach that God does
not condemn it when a cursory reading of the scriptures proves that He does,
and always has. “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind:
it is abomination”
(Lev. 18:22). “Know ye
not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not
deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind” (I Cor. 6:9). A nation under God does not support that which God
condemns.
Ø “Lo,
children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward”
(Psa. 127:3). If that is true, why
are we murdering them? We live in a nation that routinely takes the life of
unborn children and justifies it by pretending they are not taking a life. We
hear statements about a "woman's right to choose." Choose what? Sex
but not its consequences? Taking a life for convenience? God's will for the
woman is that she bear children, not abort them (I Tim. 5:14). A nation
under God does not condone aborting unborn children.
Ø
Opposition to God is
on the increase. This is being done under the guise of separation between
church and state. The fact is that those opposed to faith in God bring these
lawsuits. Do you find it strange that for 200 years our nation functioned fine
and prospered with all the things that some judge has now found illegal? Does
it tell you anything about why the morals, family problems, dishonesty in
government and business, and lack of respect for our fellowman continue to get
worse? Remember, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any
people” (Prov. 14:34) Happy “is the
nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage”
(Psa. 33:12). Are we nearing the
point where God will say to us, as He did Israel, “How can I
pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, and have sworn by those who are no
gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the
houses of prostitutes. They were well-fed lusty stallions, each neighing for
his neighbor's wife. Shall I not punish them for these things? Says the LORD;
and shall I not bring retribution on a nation such as this?” A nation under God does not allow unbelievers to
control it.
More points could be
made, but I hope these will suffice to arouse your desire to take a stand and
be outspoken about the things that are bringing this great nation to ruin.
Unless Christians begin to oppose and speak out against the sins that are being
allowed by unbelievers, or those who only give God lip service, the time will
come that God will endure us no longer. If our nation is to really be under
God, we have a lot of changes to make.
Jack Glover