Pure From Corruption

corruptionOur government has been corrupt for a long time. There is a good reason for that. Our culture has been corrupt for a long time. There is also a good reason for that. Our churches have been corrupt for a long time. Yes, there is a good reason for that too. Our homes have been corrupt for a long time.

Many Christians believe if we can just get the right people in office, then our nation will make a comeback. While that would help some, it is more of an ointment than a cure. A person suffering from skin cancer might be able to relieve the surface pain with some sort of ointment, but the disease itself must be dealt with. Trying to fix a deep-abiding problem with surface remedies only deal with the symptoms. The cure for the disease is what is desperately needed.

If we were to have holy and righteous leaders in the White House, on the Supreme Court, and in key congressional positions, would that solve our nation’s problems? Again, it might bring some relief, but unless those people are surrounded by the same type of advisors, they will inevitably act in ways peculiar to their character. However, even the strongest cadre of advisors and solid leaders are only possible when we have a righteous people as an electorate. Solomon understood this:

    “Take away the dross from silver, and it will go to the silversmith for jewelry. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.” (Proverbs 25:4-5)

Trying to establish a revived nation without revival is like sending silver filled with dross to the silversmith for jewelry. I am not advocating not voting just because we don’t have the “perfect” candidate, but I am advocating voting from a conscious that is pure and holy. Civic righteousness is only possible from a people who are righteous. Our nation is so far from righteousness that those who stand on the truth are castigated in public as hateful and intolerant. Why the church that is supposed be holy and righteous stands for such public discourse is a symptom of a much deeper issue. Our pulpits have become corrupt.

We just finished an Answers in Genesis conference at our church and glory be to God that our speaker, Dr. Tommy Hunter, told us we were a very healthy church that stands on the word of God. However, he said from his travels across the country, we are in a small minority.

What makes our church an anomaly in today’s society? We have a pastor and pastoral staff that boldly preaches the gospel truth. We have a group of men who love Jesus, love their families, and love their communities and country. We do not panic when we look to the temporal happenings in our nation, and we do not settle for the lesser of two evils. We believe the words of the Prophet Isaiah where he instructs us how to have peace:

    “In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.” (Isaiah 54:14)

Are we the perfect church? Of course not. However, we are a church that strives to glorify God daily and share Jesus with a community that is in great need of a savior. Our pastor knows that the ills of our society will only be healed through the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has shared countless times that to have a righteous government we must be a righteous people. Commenting on our verse from Proverbs, the Let God Be True website says this:

    “Every man must keep his rule as husband, father, employer, or pastor pure from corruption. The only perfect counsel for these offices is found in the Word of God, which is superior to the opinions of all men and able to make the man of God perfect.”

In other words gentlemen, it starts with you and me. If we are allowing worldly corruption into our homes, then how can we expect to stand in the gap in our churches, our communities, our vocations, and in the voting booth? The theme verse for our men’s group is 1 Corinthians 16:13:

    “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”

Four exhortations in one for how to be a godly man. Keep your eyes open, and don’t whither in the face of adversity by doing the following three things: have faith in a faithful God, overcome your fears with bravery, and be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Imagine churches across America that have their pulpits and pews filled with such men! What evil could withstand such an onslaught of righteousness? When I look to my Bible for examples I see Holy Ghost-filled men overcoming overwhelming odds because of the power of Jesus Christ.

Can we become that nation? Of course we can.

It has to start with you and me.

Are you ready?

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2014 David Jeffers

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