Righteousness Exalts A Nation
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Most want the best for their nation. They want to see it prosper and stand in a place of prominence. They’ll even fight for it, because they love their country. In recent years, there’s been moral decay, which has affected much of the world. That same decay has been responsible for the downfall of a number of nations throughout history. How many people fear their nation is on a collision course for the same end? Is that the way you view your nation?
So how do you stop it? What measures are you willing to implement to change its course? Some have taken the view that if we put the right people in positions of authority, it will change things for the better. In democratic societies that idea has proven futile. As a matter of fact, it’s backwards to think in those terms, especially if you’re a Christian. But to continue that line of thinking, to some degree, those in office are a reflection of the heart of those who voted for them.
As our opening text says, righteousness exalts a nation. Would you agree it is time for those who claim Christ to take a stand for righteousness? If that is the case, it is important to understand that taking such a stance begins with us as individuals. It does not begin with voting for certain politicians, protesting while using picket signs and banners with platitudes, and the like. In short, leaning on our own understanding of things will never change a thing. We have to begin with the state of our own heart before addressing the state of the nation.
Get Rid of Hypocrisy
Psalm 2:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Hypocrisy can be very blatant, except to the one who practice it. Those quick to point out other people’s faults are usually just as guilty, if not more (see Romans 1:1-7). Self-deception accompanies duplicity, which is an important reason to become self-aware. More pointedly, it is essential to examine ourselves with the help of Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
There are some important questions we can ask ourselves, especially if a self-righteous finger begins to rise up toward another. “Are there things I’m tolerating in myself that should not be there?” “How does my life stack up against the Word of God?” Hypocrites avoid the Word, be it the Bible or spoken, because they do not want to be exposed. Jesus is our Standard, so if one should feel the need to compare one’s self with another, start with Him. That might put things in proper perspective.
Hebrews 4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Exposure from the Light of the Word is a very good thing. It leads to repentance for those who are willing to receive correction. How can we expect correction to take place in a nation or community, if we ourselves are unwilling to receive it? We know God disciplines those He loves, and it produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness in those who are trained by it (see Hebrews 12:5-11). Peace is connected to righteousness, which can serve a barometer of sorts in relation to our hearts. One way to look at it is a lack peace may be a sign of walking in unrighteous territory. It could be something as simple as having the wrong attitude. We cannot afford to ignore the conviction of Holy Spirit when He calls us to repentance. In short, it is impossible to stand for righteousness if we live a life of hypocrisy. Change begins with repentance.
