Foundations of a Godly Nation

Sunday July 31, 2016
Speaker:

Psalm 127:1 tells us that unless the Lord builds the house, they who build it labor in vain. The same principles for a godly government apply to a godly individual, home, family, and business. People must ask for God’s aid. It is both an individual and corporate choosing God’s help and doing His will (Joshua 24:15). Those who were composing the constitution could not agree on it until Ben Franklin reminded them that they depended on prayer to God to give them the Declaration of Independence and to win the war. After praying, the Constitution was written. Apostle Dale is working right now on helping the Ukrainian government draft a constitution based on Biblical principles. Our nation’s government was founded on Biblical principles. William Penn, for whom Pennsylvania is named, had a frame of government. A government of integrity is one that is whole and morally complete. Only a small percentage of pastors preach and actually believe the Word. People have to want a government of integrity. The essential first steps are to establish the vision (a nation that looks like what wants it to be), the goal (a self-government requires that people live by God’s ways), and the authority. We answer as individuals, families, civil governments, and church governments. The existence of government is God’s idea and plan. God works through nations. The empowerment of government is from and of God through Jesus Christ. The effectiveness of government and the blessings of the nation are linked to the degree of our obedience to God’s commands. We understand the nature and role of God from Revelation 21:6; Colossians 1:16; Psalm 103:19. The nature of God is that He is sovereign, the Creator of all things, the sustainer of all life, and the supreme authority. He has created and delegated man’s authority over the earth and equipped man with skills. The nature of man is that he is sinful from birth, depraved, and does not naturally do what is right, except the Spirit of God moves in him. The purpose of government is to enact justice, to praise those who do good, and to punish those who do evil. The purpose of the law (1 Timothy 1:9) is to establish the framework for those things having to do with justice and was made for law-breakers, those who think they are above God’s law. The natural tendency of government is to consolidate control and power to violate God’s purpose (Genesis 9:1; 11:1-9) and to replace God. The components of Biblical justice (Isaiah 59:14) are truth and mercy. The requirements for maintaining a republic are responsible citizens and integrity in office. There is a need to build in safeguards (Isaiah 33:22) because the nature of man is selfish and greedy and because of the concept of accountability is God’s idea. There is a need to biblically educate (Proverbs 22:6; Joshua 4:19-24). Parents must biblically train up their children, and fathers must continually affirm God’s blessing and His role in their lives. We must understand the need for prayer (Psalm 127:1; 1 Kings 8:54-60; 2 Chronicles 7:14). It is the Lord who raises up a nation, a family, a business, and an individual. The building and maintaining of a government of integrity is spiritually-achieved. How intently do we desire a government of integrity? It is all about the focus on the souls of men. Satan tries to get us away from doing the work of God. Change can come when we repent of and confess our sins. Then we can have lives of integrity.