Third Best at Best

I fear that too many Americans have not settled for the best or even second best.  I fear that some have even settled for fourth or fifth best.

From The Epoch Times, April 7-13, 2021, p. B4

George Washington Deemed Religion and Morality Essential to Political Prosperity.

…in his Farewell Address published just prior to the end of his presidency… “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.  In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of man and citizens… Let us caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.”  

The article continued …Various historians and statesmen attribute the downfall of the Roman Republic to the decline in religious belief and the accompanying unraveling of morality…Even in pre-Christian days, they considered religion and morality as indissolubly connected because of the reality of an afterlife or rewards and punishments for the actions of this life. 

From The Federalist: thefederalist.com/2021/ken-starr-is-right

Certainly, the founders believed the American experiment would succeed only with a religiously inclined and moral people.  As John Adams famously asserted: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.  It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”  …Congress’ 1787 Northwest Ordinance, for example, explicitly declares: “Religion, morality, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.”  Or consider that among the liberties protected by the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights, religion is first…One might argue that religious belief and practice is the foremost freedom guaranteed by our constitutional government, as well as essential to republicanism.  

Did you get the take from these articles that the first order of a country must be a freedom of religion which is the open pursuit and practice of faith?  What is Best for a nation is a belief in a higher Power that is involved and to which men just might have to answer which therefore affects life every day in every way (the cake maker and all).

And of second importance?  Morality or virtues.  That is giving and keeping one’s word, to not lie, not murder, not cheat, or not violate vows – marriage vows, and to protect the life, rights and the property of others.

What is a summary of these two key points made by our Founders?  The Ten Commandments! But what have we done as a nation, often as churches, and even too often as Christians?  We have removed the Ten Commandments!  They have been deemed as antique, non-essential or set aside by grace and the New Covenant.  The truth?  The Ten still apply to God’s people today and are critical for the success of a constitutional republic – for the United States.

What might be the third Best that too often is chosen as most critical today?  I suggest it is education.  We have elevated education as the reason for our past successes and the means to get our country out of its slump.  After all, just how many times have you heard the phrase “follow the science” over the past months and noting that the elites give NO quarter, or little room, for faith and values?  No – what the CDC,  FDA, doctors or the professionals say settles it!

And this is true for far too many Christians. We believe we must have a college degree to be successful and we honor those who have an Ivy League degree or are Oxford Fellows.  We show the exaltation of education when we move to a “better” school district, spend money for special educational experiences or homeschool primarily for the highest academic results.  But what about faith and virtue/character?  Do we study and memorize Scripture and speak of and point to God throughout the day and teach and discipline for virtues?  Too often not, rather the twin pillars or core principles of faith and virtue have been shoved aside in the pursuit of book knowledge.

Now I suggest that some people aren’t even given to education as the best choice, but are about sports, money, or entertainment – or fourth Best.  And some have even discarded those pursuits and have simply settled for personal peace and well-being – fifth Best.  They believe in live-and-let-live and let the world be the world – let the world be stupid, just live for personal fulfillment.

The Founders got it!  Faith and virtue are core and essential for our nation – for life!