THE BIG WHY

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

Unless you’ve been camping under that big proverbial rock, you are well aware of how I’ve been so perturbed of late. Being older than dirt and twice as gritty, coupled with my hereditary inquisitive mind set, I have asked many whys in my lifetime. Why this, why that, and so on, with respect to today’s culture in general, and America’s socialist, regressive mind-set in particular,

In my youthful years my whys were somewhat immature. Now, in my older years, my whys are more complicated and a bit harder to answer. And being a dedicated PK (preacher’s kid), these whys occasionally center on the religious unknowns, the spiritual aspects of today’s mindset.

What is meant by that small word “why?” And why is why so important anyway in today’s regressive lifestyle? By definition, "why” is an adverb that means “for what cause, reason, or purpose?” It can be used as a conjunction to introduce a clause or sentence, meaning "the reason, or cause, for a certain purpose."

So, for what cause, reason, or purpose is this little adverb aggressively popping up in my mind? Read on to find out why. I have labeled this blog “The Big Why.”

“Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the ruler's band together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their chains and throw off Their shackles.’ The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His wrath, saying, “I have installed My king on Zion, My holy mountain.” (Psalm 2:1-6)

Here in this all-important prophetic Scripture passage for today’s America, the Psalmist unveils the resolve of world leaders to rebel against the Lord and His Anointed. Little wonder that the opposition is to Him laughably pathetic.

Respecting today’s government, in today’s why culture, the Thirteenth chapter of the book of Romans may answer a number of today’s “why's." In (Romans 13:1-7) Scripture plainly tells us we should all have the same respectful attitude to the state, the governing authorities. However, this Scripture is swift to tell us there is no authority except from God. (Titus 3:1) (I Peter 2:13)

This does not say, however, that only certain forms of government are ordained of God. God established and upheld the principle of government even though some governments do not fulfill His desires. Again, I ask why?

We know, however, from His holy Word that government does not bear the sword for nothing. God has given the state the power of life and death over its subjects in order to maintain order. Therefore, we should hold government in healthy respect. However, this may not be agreeable to all. (Romans 13:4)

We see that love is a debt we can never fully discharge in (Romans 13:8). We see that we have certain obligations to the government such as paying our taxes (Romans 13:7), and certain other love-generated obligations that are backed up within the Old Testament Torah (Exodus 20:13-17) (Leviticus 19:18) as well as in (Romans 13:8-10). These are followed by certain prophecy dictates in (Romans 13:11-12), and a final benediction in (Romans 13:14).

So, what do you say, Mr. and Ms. America? Where do we stand today, as a people and as a nation? One only needs to read the local newspaper, watch the television, talk to one’s next-door neighbor, or even pay attention in today’s church to see how far we have fallen as a people, and as a nation.

What has happened to the principles of our loving, living Creator-inspired founding documents, our Declaration of Independence and Constitution?

According to Dr. Larry P. Arnn, President of Hillsdale College, “The framers of the American Constitution combined the best political ideas of the past with innovations in what The Federalist called an improved science of politics: federalism, separation of power, and checks and balances. Doing so, they created a form of government which had in the words of James Madison, 'no model on the face of the earth."

“Because men are not angels, government is necessary. Because no man stands to another as God to man or as man to beast, government must be based on consent. The moral foundation of the Constitution is in the Declaration of Independence and its principle of equal rights. Under the Constitution, government was to be limited to protect those rights."

“In recent decades, the way our government operates has departed from the Constitution. It has become less limited. And our liberties less secure. At the same time, true civic education in America -- education in the Constitution -- has largely died out.”

A story is told of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was walking out of Independence Hall after the Constitutional Convention in 1787, when someone shouted out, “Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?” To which Franklin supposedly responded, with a rejoinder at once witty and ominous: “A republic, if you can keep it.”

In his 1981 inaugural address, President Ronald Reagan spoke of our freedom in these most vivid words: “No arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today’s world do not have. It is a weapon that we American’s do have. Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism and prey upon their neighbors.”

Lastly, we must never leave out God’s holy, inspired Word, the Bible from our thinking, in response to our why’s. (II Timothy 3:16) (II Peter 1:20-21) The Scripture came from God through the men who wrote it. God superintended these human authors so that, using their individual personalities, they composed and recorded without error God’s Word to man. This shows the dual authorship of God’s Word -- the Holy Spirit guiding and guarding the men involved in the actual writing.

I realize America has “progressed” to one grand mess. So what’s the cause and effect of it all? The cause is simple, it is sin. We are now fighting a spiritual war of many unseen battles. (Ephesians 6:12) I’m sure, if the time was taken, one could virtually name most of these causes derived from sin with one’s whys. And the effect is today’s regressive, socialist mindset.

Basically, America is now feeling the effect of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) as opposed to the fruits of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

So, what now? Today’s main concern is the insensitivity to sin. It’s time to wake up, Mr. and Ms. America. You see, the night is almost gone. Yes, I believe we are now in the last days, as Scripture puts it. (I Timothy 4:1-2) (II Timothy 3:1-7,9) (II Timothy 4:3-4)

We must lay aside the deeds of today’s darkness and put on the whole armor of light. (Ephesians 6:13-18) We must behave properly in today’s perverse culture.

Above all, my fellow Americans, we must act with the proper Christian attitude. As Christians, we should all work alongside each other in all the areas of our Christian conduct, to solve these many whys. And we must all realize in regard to today’s selfish me, myself, and I culture, when we point a finger towards others, our other fingers are pointing back at us. (Romans 14:12-13)

Now as we conclude this discussion, as I mentioned at the beginning, do you have any whys? I surely do, too many to mention. How may these whys be resolved? Again, by going back to the Bible.

George Washington set the tone for America when he said, “It’s impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”

And as President Woodrow Wilson said, “The Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the meaning of life, the nature of God and spiritual nature and needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads the spirit in the way of peace and salvation. America was born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived from the revelations of Holy Spirit.”

So let us place our question whys on the Bible and leave them there. Amen!

EPILOGUE

Respecting the above “why” driven blog, Dr, Herman A. Hoyt was right. “What do we have to worry about? Our trust has never been in government, civilizations, or cultures. These are helpful while they are here, but they have never been worthy of our trust. We have always put our trust in the One who stands about institutions, above history, and even above time itself—the One by whose power and permission these things exist, and who knows their times and the end of their days. Only He is worthy of our ultimate allegiance.”

So, why not shout a big praiseful Hallelujah? Why not live in peace, within our biblical directives? Why not read our Bible on our knees? Why not? Yes, why not?