Over the past weekend, a friend and I were privileged to attend Glenn Beck’s American Revival at the University of Central Florida.
Some have said that such a conference would be attended by “right-wing radicals.”
Instead, it was attended by Americans who are concerned about the direction of their country, states and lives.
The theme for the American Revival Tour comes directly from Apostle Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians. I Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
In order for America to be restored to its founding, its citizens must have faith, hope and charity.
Faith in God was important to our founders. President Washington said, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
President Adams said, “The safety and prosperity of nations ultimately and essentially depend on the protection and the blessing of Almighty God, and the national acknowledgement of this truth is an indispensable duty which the people owe to Him.”
“Hope” is a word with which we have become very familiar.
It is unfortunate it has become a word with an empty meaning. Today, we are told to hope promised benefits will be available when it is time for us to receive them. We are told to hope that our debt will not cripple us.
More importantly, we are told to hope we are too big to fail.
This conception of hope has been completely separated from the truth.
In John 8:32, Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Of course, Jesus was speaking of the fact that knowing and obeying His truth will set us free from sin and death. The principle, however, is applicable to all areas of life.
Truth be told, our country is on a path that cannot be sustained.
We will not survive if we continue to spend money we do not and never expect to have.
The truth is we are in trouble, and the politicians apparently do not want us to know.
We have to drastically cut spending by at least 50 percent, and cut taxes.
The world is spinning out of control, and we have to prepare to once again be the island of relief for investors seeking a safe haven.
Charity, or love, has been paramount to the American experience. As evidenced by our response to disasters all over the world, it should come as no surprise that Americans are the most charitable people on the planet.
The vast majority of these works of love came straight from individual American citizens — not from the federal government.
Works of love cannot be legislated. Our money is our money. This is to say that it is up to us how we spend our own money.
The Bible tells us that as individuals we should care for the poor, sick, fatherless and widowed, among others. We are told this is a responsibility for individuals or congregations — not government.
The revival of America begins with us. Continually seek, serve and thank the Almighty Father. Always speak and seek the truth. Never expect someone else to be charitable on your behalf. You cannot be charitable with the money or talents of others.
This is our mission as Americans. We must restore our republic through faith, hope and charity.
Don’t wait for others — the revival begins with you!
--As Appeared in The Daily Mississippian on Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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