Greetings,
As Britain and then America grew in power and world influence they shared common moral values. The descendents of Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh held to “common law” derived from the law of God. It is interesting to note the observations of French sociologist and political theorist Alexis de Tocqueville after spending time visiting America in the early 1830’s. He concluded that, “The sects that exist in the United States are innumerable. They all differ in respect to the duties which are due from man to man. Each sect adores the Deity in its own particular manner, but all the sects preach the same moral law in the name of God …” These common biblical roots are important in that they demonstrate the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abraham. Joseph’s sons inherited the birthright promises of national greatness not because they were worthy but because God is a faithful God and will do what He has promised.
It is from this standpoint that we view the present state of our nations. The moral and cultural foundation of our nations have been eroded. Values and ethics no longer stand on the foundation of God’s law but are relative, situational – in other words, secular. While many in the past have acknowledged the role of God in the rise and development of our nations (Abraham Lincoln for example), what was not seen and acknowledged were the promises from God as to what would happen if His people forsook His law. In pronouncing blessings for obedience, God also pronounced curses for disobedience. “… and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant … And I will bring a sword against you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant …” (Leviticus 26:15,25). Having enjoyed the abundance of blessings, we are now well into the punishment phase due to breaking the covenant.
Our personal lives should be viewed against this backdrop. God has called people from all nations and races to come into a relationship with Him and to demonstrate to the world that God is real, that He has a plan for all of humanity and that His way leads to the things that people in the world so desperately want – peace and happiness. The people who have physically descended from Abraham no longer represent God appropriately. It is the spiritual descendants of Abraham that have been called to do that. “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Galatians 3:7-9).
It is the responsibility of the Church to reflect to the nations the greatness and the glory of God. We are to be living examples of God’s law in action. “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6). As we observe the deteriorating condition of the world in general, we need to become even more dedicated to the role to which the Father has called us. The world needs a light – the light of God’s way of life. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Sabbath services will originate from Denver, Colorado.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
