God calls us to do more than talk

As I am writing this article, the smell of gunpowder and spent fireworks are still wafting through the air. Many celebrated the birth of our independent nation with barbecues, get-togethers, and fireworks.

We are truly blessed to live in the United States of America. All of these observances are done in the name of freedom.

The freedoms that we have as Americans should be celebrated because with each one of the freedoms we have there is sacrifice attached to it. The sacrifice of a human life that paid the price for freedom with their lives.

We are not celebrating a piece of fabric or even documents that were written by our Founding Fathers but rather the sacrifice, resolve, dedication, and loving passion of individuals who died to make us free.

Some will say “what about the terrible things that happened in our past as a nation?” To those I would say “you are right.”

As a nation in its infancy and sadly even in its modern times, we have seen things that are vile and outright wrong, but what we seem to be forgetting is that mistakes of the past can either define us or cause us to have a determination not to repeat them. This is by no way trying to minimize the hurts and indiscretions that have happened.

What I want you to realize is that it is precisely this that makes America so great. A country can correct the past errors and injustices that it has done. We are free to elect officials to speak on our behalves.

We ourselves have the basic freedom to speak our opinion even when it is not the popular one. We can institute change. Other countries cannot do that. Opinions contrary to the ruling powers are crushed and the voices of the dissonant are silenced.

James 4:17 says that “He who knows to do right and doesn’t do it is guilty of sin.” This is a very eye opening Scripture for many people.

If you know what the right thing to do is and don’t do it then you have missed the mark. You’ve sinned.

Most people want to do the right thing, but something happens and they don’t or they choose not to. The same people are quick to judge others by their actions and themselves by their intentions.

What if our Founding Fathers and those who have stood up for those who feel voiceless would have had great intentions but no action. The problems would have still been happening and probably gotten much worse.

But, they chose to be active. They didn’t just shout at the issues they volunteered, worked, sacrificed, and made an effort to change what they knew was wrong so it would be made right.

Sounds great, but what is right? Right is not an opinion or something that makes you feel good about yourselves. Right is not the popular opinion or the path of least resistance. Right isn’t what makes you feel good about yourself at some deep satisfying level.

RIGHT is the authentic standard of correctness. The word of God is the RIGHT everyone is looking for.

In its pages you find more than just rules for behavior. You find a way of life. A life that recognizes that we the people are creations of God, and yes, he has created us with skillful precision.

There are verses on behavior and how we should be treating one another. Things such as each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made and destined with purpose while we are still in our mother’s womb.

Even how we think is addressed. Don’t think higher of yourself than you ought to. The right of Scripture instructs us to live our lives with the knowledge that it really isn’t ours but instead it is the Lords.

When we practice RIGHT, we develop a life of righteousness, doing the right thing continually. These actions bring about clarity and allows us to focus on what is truly important.

We focus on one another and how we can live our life in the fear of the Lord. Not a fear of retribution or retaliation but a life of repentance and righteousness.

America has changed as a nation. That change has been for the better. Are there still things that need to change? You bet there are.

God has called each of us to do more than talk. He has called us to be active in bringing about change. We do these things as the book of Colossians tells us in chapter 3, do everything as you are doing it unto the LORD not unto man. Strive to live in excellence in both word and deed. Let the Scripture be your guide. Let righteousness be your desire every day.