Government’s First Duty

“We’ve gone astray from first principles. We’ve lost sight of the rule that individual freedom and ingenuity are at the very core of everything that we’ve accomplished. Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.” — Ronald Reagan

Neither candidate in this election can claim this as his position but one is a lot further away from it than the other is.  Should we consider this when we vote?  YES!  Now vote accordingly.

Did Obama Really Say This?

I got another one of those chain emails that I normally delete without reading but I read this one.  It has quotes from Obama’s books.  Most are stuff I have heard before but one caught my attention.

From Audacity of Hope:”I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.“

No page citation was given and I don’t have the book.  No context is given in which the comment was made.  I am curious if this is really in his book or is this a hoax.  Do you know?  I can believe he would have said this but I can also believe people would make this up or take it out of context.

A.W. Pink Defines The Doctrine Of Justification

Originally posted at: Exploring Theology
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Justification has to do solely with the legal side of salvation. It is a judicial term, a word of the law courts. It is the sentence of a judge upon a person who has been brought before him for judgment. It is that gracious act of God as Judge, in the high court of Heaven, by which He pronounces an elect and believing sinner to be freed from the penalty of the law, and fully restored unto the Divine favour. It is the declaration of God that the party arraigned is fully conformed to the law; justice exonerates him because justice has been satisfied. Thus, justification is that change of status whereby one, who being guilty before God, and therefore under the condemning sentence of His Law, and deserving of nought but an eternal banishment from His presence, is received into His favour and given a right unto all the blessings which Christ has, by His perfect satisfaction, purchased for His people.

This is from Chapter Two of Pink’s book The Doctrine of Justification.  You can find it online here.

Do you agree or disagree with this definition?  If disagree, please provide an alternative definition.

John Piper On How To Test (Evaluate) A Revival

Our test for every Lakeland that comes along should first be doctrinal and expositional. Is this awakening carried along by a “love for the truth” and a passion to hear the whole counsel of God proclaimed?

Can it be any clearer than that?  This quote was at the end of an article posted on his site called “Test Revival with Doctrine”.  You can read the entire post here.

Piper also says:

“True revival will be accompanied by brokenness, humility, reverence and repentance—not the arrogance, showmanship and empty hype that often was on display in Lakeland.”

Tell us what you really think John.  Do you agree with Piper’s comments?  If not, why?  How does the Lakeland Revival measure up?   I think it falls seriously short.

How Should We Live Our Lives?

Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’ s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

I had heard about Edwards’ resolutions before but I have never read them before.  I came across them posted here and have begun to read them.  The first one (quoted above) is incredible.  I wish we could all live our lives in a manner that he describes in it.  Notice that the first thing Edwards mentions is a desire to do what will bring God the most glory.  If we do this consistently this would be a much better place.

Our Government Is Not For A People Who Are Not Moral And Religious

We have not government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion…..Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.  -  John Adams  [this quote came for a pamphlet published by Wallbuilders, Inc.  It says the quote came from a letter dated October 13, 1789]

Ever wonder what has gone wrong with our government?  John Adams’ quote makes it quite clear.  Our government was never intended to function when our citizens have turned their back on God.  In fact, I can’t function properly.  As a result, we get a government that is functioning as ours is now.

We have governments trying to tell businesses how to run their business, how much they have to pay entry level employees, how much profit they are allowed to make, etc.  We have local, state, and federal governments telling people what they can do with their own property.  We have judges making law against the wishes of the masses.  We have people who are dependant on government handouts.  We have people who think the government should protect us from ourselves.  When we spill our coffee on ourselves we file lawsuits against the company that sold it to us.  We file lawsuits against the manufacturer of the gun used by a criminal to commit a crime.  In our schools, we are more worried about a childs self esteem than whether or not they are learning the basics…reading, writing, and arithmetic.

I could go on but I think you get the point.  Our government is inadequate for the current state of our people.  What can be done?

Thomas Jefferson On God’s Role In Our Country

Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?  That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?  Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.  -  Thomas Jefferson  [I got this quote in a pamphlet from Wallbuilders, Inc.  The pamphlet states the quote is from Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781]

Ronald Reagan On Perseverance

“Fellow citizens, fellow conservatives, our time has come again. This is our moment. Let us unite, shoulder to shoulder, behind one mighty banner for freedom. And let us go forward from here not with some faint hope that our cause is not yet lost; let us go forward confident that the American people share our values, and that together we will be victorious. And in those moments when we grow tired, when our struggle seems hard, remember what Eric Liddell, Scotland’s Olympic champion runner, said in Chariots of Fire: ‘So where does the power come from to see the race to its end? From within. God made me for a purpose, and I will run for His pleasure.’ If we trust in Him, keep His word, and live our lives for His pleasure, He’ll give us the power we need—power to fight the good fight, to finish the race and to keep the faith… God bless you and God bless America.” —Ronald Reagan

Source:  The Patriot Post

John Calvin On The Sufficiency Of God

To conclude, in one word; as often as we call God the Creator of heaven and earth, let us remember that the distribution of all the things which he created are in his hand and power, but that we are his sons, whom he has undertaken to nourish and bring up in allegiance to him, that we may expect the substance of all good from him alone, and have full hope that he will never suffer us to be in want of things necessary to salvation, so as to leave us dependent on some other source; that in everything we desire we may address our prayers to him, and, in every benefit we receive, acknowledge his hand, and give him thanks; that thus allured by his great goodness and beneficence, we may study with our whole heart to love and serve him.  [Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin translated by Henry Beveridge; Book One, Chapter 14, Section 22]

John Calvin On Spiritual Warfare

Being forewarned of the constant presence of an enemy the most daring, the most powerful, the most crafty, the most indefatigable, the most completely equipped with all the engines and the most expert in the science of war, let us not allow ourselves to be overtaken by sloth or cowardice, but, on the contrary, with minds aroused and ever on the alert, let us stand ready to resist; and, knowing that this warfare is terminated only by death, let us study to persevere. Above all, fully conscious of our weakness and want of skill, let us invoke the help of God, and attempt nothing without trusting in him, since it is his alone to supply counsel, and strength, and courage, and arms. – John Calvin [Institutes of the Christian Religion translated by Henry Beveridge, Book One, Chapter 14, Section 13]

Does any more need to be said?