We hold these truths...

July 08, 2013 Monday Message:

“We hold these truths to be self evident…” (from the Declaration of Independence)

Last week we looked at the beliefs of our founding fathers, and noted that they based our nation on several axioms, non-negotiable truths that they all accepted. This foundation represents the “character” or the “value system” of our nation, and our laws stand on these principles.

The Declaration of Independence states that we were “endowed by our creator…,” which tells me that they all believed in a Creator-God. He wasn’t Methodist, Presbyterian or Catholic - He was simply GOD-the-creator, and while the founders may have had denominational differences, they all agreed on basing the new nation on a Creator-God.

Therefore everything that happens in our government should be looked at through the lens of the existence of a Creator-God: “Is this proposal good or bad – what does the Bible say about it? What does God say about it? Is our country operating in such a way that we have preserved God’s rights for His people, and ensured a continuing place for His church?”

Well, that was then, and this is now. It’s no secret that church attendance has been decreasing year after year, and many Christian teachers refer to the United States as a “Post-Christian” country. The non-negotiable axioms of our fathers may not be relevant to many in the current generation. And if our current government leaders do not look to a Creator-God as the founders intended, then I ask, “On what do we now base our country’s value system, or do we even have one?” We live in interesting times.

“The times, they are a-changin’.” Bob Dylan

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10:30am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, July 14, Jesus calls out the Pharisees, Luke 11:37-54. See you at church!

NL

Endowed by their Creator...

July 01, 2013 Monday Message:

“Endowed by their Creator…” (from the Declaration of Independence)

Planning the USA, our founding fathers relied on several truths or axioms. These fundamental principles, these concepts we all agree to accept and believe, define our system of government. Therefore our laws and their enforcement need to “fit” within our country’s “value system.”

The signers of our Declaration of Independence were people of faith. They all believed in God-the-creator, but held to small denominational differences, mostly in worship style and traditions. So they wisely set aside their differences, and based our country on what they had in common: a Creator-God who had a purpose in mind for His creation, and a plan for how things should go.

The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are more than man-made rules; we are endowed with these gifts by our Creator. The Declaration describes these as “unalienable rights,” rights that cannot be taken away, rights given to us by God – and these principles form the DNA of our nation.

Our government’s entire operating system - our leaders, lawmakers and judges – need to rigorously examine each decision through the lens of our country’s axioms: “Does this law leave everyone’s God-given rights intact? Is this policy in line with the Creator’s plan for His people?”

By the way, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is not an inclusive list; rather, it’s a starting point for what God has in mind for his creation.

May God's blessings go with each of you this week as we celebrate the birth of our nation!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10:30am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, July 07, I’ll be shining the light of Jesus, Luke 11:29-36. Prepare to sing the song! See you at church!

NL