We occasionally hear someone say "you can't legislate morality." Why do they say that? We may not individually, but our lawfully elected officials certainly have an obligation to make laws regarding human behavior. And those officials who are in places of power must enforce the moral laws. This is why we have a President, Governors, Mayors, Judges, Marshals, Sheriffs, FBI, DEA, BCIS, Police Officers, Military and many others involved with Law Enforcement.
If the "powers that be" do not legislate and enforce moral law -- who will? The system of government that we have in the United States calls upon the citizens to choose from among us people who will govern our affairs so that we can live in peace, and pursue happiness. Good moral government will ensure that we do not harm our neighbors by our individual pursuits.
When government is functioning properly to protect our basic rights, it governs. Merriam-Webster's 10th Collegiate Dictionary defines govern this way: "to exercise continuous sovereign authority over; esp: to control and direct the making and administration of policy, and to rule without sovereign power and usually without having the authority to determine basic policy."
There are certain patterns of human behavior that are basically right or wrong. We already have laws that protect us from individuals who violate these moral laws. We have prisons so that people who violate our moral laws will be punished and hopefully learn to respect the rights of their neighbors. We punish those who murder, steal, use deception in their business practice, fail to support their family, give false testimony in court, and for many other violations of our moral laws. What would be the condition of our society if we abolished our moral laws? We would have anarchy and chaos!
Our elected legislators use ancient laws as precedents in passing laws for our government. The most noble and enduring code in our civilization is the moral law that God gave to the people of Israel through the man Moses. We generally single out what we call the Ten Commandments as the basis of much moral law, but when you read the Bible, you find that Moses gave many other explicit details for the protection of the rights and property of those ancient people.
These ancient Biblical laws have served humanity very well through many centuries, and have helped to keep us a civilized nation. It is now time for God fearing citizens to stand up to those who are critical of our heritage. Long ago King Solomon completed the building of the great Temple to honor God. God appeared to him and gave him these words: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV)
Christians have the opportunity and obligation as citizens of the United States to vote for officials who believe in preserving God's immutable laws. Vote for people who will stand against those who want to legislate the immoral, un-natural and un-godly homosexual marriages. Vote for candidates who will stand for the family unit that is described in the Bible. God's view of marriage is one man and one woman, not man with man or woman with woman.
We must act now with urgency so that parents may continue raising their children in a country where they can teach their children that certain behavior in shameful and must not be tolerated. Vote for candidates who will fight for the rights of traditional families! Vote for candidates who will stand up for all citizens and fight against class warfare! Vote for candidates who will work to raise the hopes of the poor! Vote for those who stand up for the rights of innocent children! "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan." (Proverbs 29:2 NIV) Satan is the father and instigator of lies. The big lie that many people believe today is that much evil behavior is not really evil, but can be excused because a person was born that way. Would we seek to dismiss charges against a murderer because he said he was born to murder? Some behavior is inherently right or wrong before God our Creator, and we must not go against this natural order.
You are invited to attend the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments David Binkley, Sr., P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. Or you may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. | 