Our Society's Need for Holiness

We are to wage war against wickedness. What we tolerate - little by little - eventually becomes accepted practice. When we find a group, organization, individual or government sponsored event that blatantly advertises or encourages filth that undercuts biblical morality in our society and degrades the quality of life in America, we need to speak up against it. We cannot remain silent, people. Silence feigns approval. Approval of sinful ideologies creates a society that is godless. By the grace of God, opposing evil should continue to be a regular effort in the work of each Christian.

Take a look at this article about the pope's condemnation against the EU for not acknowledging it's Christian roots during it's 50th anniversary celebration. He unequivocably states that Society fails without Christian conscience.

Today, on the Glenn Beck T.V. show, Glenn mentioned that what is currently happening in the U.S. is similar to what happened prior to the fall of the Roman Empire. We could apply these words of warning from the pope:

"A society in which the Christian conscience does not live anymore loses direction, does not know anymore where to go, ends up empty and bankrupt," the Pope told parish elders on Sunday.

Such a conscience was needed to promote justice and a sense of responsibility among one another, he said.

Moral bankruptcy. Doesn't that accurately describe our nation today? I think it does.

The pope went on to say:

The Pope made his displeasure over the matter clear in a strongly worded speech on Saturday, saying excluding values that helped forge its very soul meant Europe was committing a form of apostasy -- a total desertion of one's religion -- and doubting its own identity.

Of course, he was referring to Europe here, but couldn't this also apply to America? You bet it can!

Our Democratic-Republic was founded upon Judeo-Christian ethics and values.

The father of our nation, George Washington, reiterated this ideal in his First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789. Note this portion:

In these honorable qualifications I behold the surest pledges that as on one side no local prejudices or attachments, no separate views nor party animosities, will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests, so, on another, that the foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens and command the respect of the world. I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire, since there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.

(bold and emphasis mine)

What was Washington talking about here? Holiness.

It's the matter of holiness that preserves our nation. These days, it is obviously something that is no longer discussed very often.

As Christians, we are called to be holy:

Rom 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.


Just as we must not be ashamed of the Gospel we MUST NOT be ashamed to "pursue holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." And we need to promote it better than we do.

Hbr 12:14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

HOLINESS:

"Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment - hating what He hates, loving what He loves - and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word. He who most entirely agrees with God, he is the most holy man.

He will have a decided bent of mind toward God, a heart desire to do His will, a greater fear of displeasing Him than of displeasing the world, and a love to all His ways.

Washington concluded his inaugural address:

Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend.