Love him or hate him, Donald Trump’s election to the office of President of the United States has rocked the nation. Since its announcement, President-elect Trump’s bid for office has been treated as a joke and usually a bad one. We will not attempt to re-live the campaign in its excruciating entirety or even summarize it in this article. However, it is well known that media sources never ran short of criticisms and victory was thought extremely unlikely even among supporters. Now observers on both sides have been forced to reevaluate the priorities of the American public.
Regardless of personal opinions it is accepted that, had the election gone her way, a Clinton administration would have nearly mirrored Barrack Obama’s. A Trump administration, based on campaign promises, represented almost the complete opposite. Through all the detailed discussion of the merit, feasibility and practicality of particular party platforms this stark difference has been a given.
This leads us to our current, peculiar reality: The same states that twice propelled President Obama to the Whitehouse have now paved the way for President-elect Trump. Two diametrically opposed ideologies placed in charge of this country were, selected by many of the same people after the space of only four years. What happened? Is it reasonable to assume the electorate has completely transformed? Or are they desperately seeking a path to what they want, to what all sane and rational people want, peace and prosperity?
The United States has occupied a special place in modern history. The world’s largest economy, an unusually high standard of living, personal freedom with civil rights protected by the rule of law, and an unrivaled military capability has rendered Her premier among the nations. Contributions to science and medicine have been revolutionary to all mankind. Figures on annual charitable donations are staggering. She has been a land of opportunity, a beacon of hope, representing a chance to work and receive the fruit of your labor to oppressed peoples all over the world. These conditions have prevailed throughout the lifetimes of the living.
Recently, however, it has felt like the country is faltering. Controversial moral issues, enormous national debt, racial tensions, and the threat of terrorism have caused many to wonder how long this divided house can stand. Preserving the greatness of the United States, how to do it, and even what constitutes greatness, has been a major source of contention. All would benefit from a look at what led to this country’s unique place in the world, as well as the basic principles that bring peace and prosperity.
God is the source of all our blessings. Those who believe in Him, His son Jesus Christ, and the Bible have an enormous head start. There is no denying the physical laws that govern our movement and communication; the spiritual and moral laws He put in place are every bit as immutable. The Bible contains these precepts as well as numerous examples of the rewards for obeying and the punishment for ignoring them. If we desire His blessings, joy and peace, we must regard His admonitions both personally and collectively.
The Ten Commandments are the basic behavioral requirements God has given to man. Prohibition of murder and theft are nearly universal today. Many have been imprisoned for perjury or “bearing false witness.” After being given the Commandments the people were told, “So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess” as seen in Deuteronomy 5:32-33.
While establishing the nation of Israel, God gave them a detailed set of laws to live by. These laws included rules for civil as well as religious conduct. Many of its principles, such as protection of property, reparation in cases of wrong-doing or negligence, the right of the accused to face their accuser, are commonplace in civilized nations today. The people were told “if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth” in Deuteronomy 28:1 and were further informed of the benefits of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.
This is not a unique sentiment expressed only in the books referred to as the “law.” The thousands of years of history contained in the Old Testament detail personal or national behavior in relation to God’s will and the inherent result, be it good or bad. The New Testament, the life of Christ and the beginnings of the church, reiterate the same ideals. Christ was without sin. What is sin? 1 John 3:4 reads “whosever commits sin also transgresses the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
A Christian by definition would be an adherent to His teaching, emulating His example as much as possible and consequently obeying the law. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters five, six, and seven) Christ illustrated the spiritual intent of the laws about murder and adultery, extending their authority even into human thoughts.
Over and over Christ and His disciples preached that people need to repent –– meaning to be truly, deeply sorry –– ask God’s forgiveness, and prove their sincerity by continuing their lives in accordance to His will. Even at the very end, in Revelation 12:17, the “just” are described as those “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
This law, these Commandments, are God’s intent for all humanity. He does not change. His plan for mankind has not changed. The effects are evident in history and around the world today. The founders of these United States acknowledged this, they held it to be “self evident,” obvious and universal, needing no explanation. In declaring independence from Great Britain, and listing the causes, they cited transgressions against the “Laws of Nature” and “Nature’s God.” One of their main concerns before doing so was whether the people were moral enough for self government. Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”
George Washington said in his farewell address, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens…”
Is that advice being followed today? According to a Gallup poll 77% of Americans still identify as Christians. Of those, around 25% say religion is not important in their daily lives and 37% seldom or never attend religious services.
A separate survey focusing on church attendance reports that 37% of the population attends religious services weekly or near-weekly. This number is thought to be artificially high as it relies on self-reporting and other studies suggest the actual figure may be as low as 22%. After peaking in the 1950s, the trend has been downward. More people view religion as irrelevant to modern life, unable to address today’s problems.
Collectively, we want the blessings of God, the peace, prosperity, and well being only He can provide. Yet many refuse to even acknowledge His existence. We desperately need to heed His warnings against coveting, lust, hate, murder, and putting anything in life before Him. As Garner Ted Armstrong said, “God does not ask how we will worship Him but whether we will worship Him.” While every individual has free moral agency, the ability to do, say, or think whatever they wish, God is the arbiter of what is right and wrong. Human action will be judged accordingly even though man, in his vanity, often considers himself more righteous than God. Trust in self or institutions is misplaced if truths so basic as to be “self evident” are rejected.
Can man do it alone, without God’s guidance and contrary to His plan? The founders of this country knew it to be impossible. Samuel Adams wrote, “The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then we shall both deserve and enjoy it. While, on the other hand, if we are universally vicious and debauched in our manners, though the form of our Constitution carries the face of the most exalted freedom, we shall in reality be the most abject slaves.” James Madison also asked, “Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks, no form of government, can render us secure.”
The onus is on us. Do we wish for peace? Do we wish for prosperity, for posterity to enjoy the ascendancy among nations and the personal blessings many have known in their own lives? Then study God’s word. Expound its truths to the uninitiated. Exemplify its ideals, providing proof of its relevance in every action. If we the people of the United States look for solutions, we need look no further than the mirror. Let us take hold of the wisdom in Proverbs 3, “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments; for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.”
