by Jack Northart

 

Nowadays, you hear so much banter about political correctness, fascism, racism, etc. And because these damning terms are used deliberately more to discredit than describe, they tend to be misapplied. Traditional beliefs often get vilified by the more "progressive" movement of the politically correct.The rationalization of this rising trend of coercion is that it supposedly prevents people from being offended. It compels everyone to avoid using words or behavior that may upset others, when in truth, it promotes selfishness and tears away all restraints upon self-indulgence. It has existed since time began, but has become more popular with the rapid expanse of of the Age of Technology.  Everyone must accept the notions of the politically correct or else!

 

People must come back to the simplicity and truth of God's Word. Without a standard for truth, people and civilizations steadily decline.

 

Proverbs 29:18a

Where there is no vision, the people perish.

 

The New International Version translates this verse as, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint." Unlike some who believe that intellectualism and genius alone can establish moral order to society, we have seen the countries and nations in our recent past that have embraced such ideas, fall to their knees in less than a century of trial.

 

Psalm 33:12a

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.

 

Allowing the Word of God to be the starting point for guidance will give a nation its biggest advantage for success. To alter any situation in society, there must be a sufficient number of people that want it altered, who care enough about a given issue to make the sacrifices necessary to bring about change. The first step in all social change is a strong public opinion. In order for the public to be influenced, it takes ONE person who knows the truth of God's Word and sacrifices his time and ability to share it with another. They, in-turn win another, then another, and it grows like a snowball rolling downhill. Before long, the public's premise or viewpoint is the viewpoint from God's Word. Likewise, decisions can be made based on God's Word.

 

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Genuine change occurs when it starts in the mind. People can be coerced and compelled into acting a certain way, but for true change to take place, it must begin with the individual. Life will blossom with the beauty of God as His Word is planted in the fertile soil of the heart.

 

Luke 6:44-45

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

 

Since there is no such thing as a personality transplant, to change our life for the better has to be a deliberate choice. The "extreme makeover" gradually occurs one thought at a time. To build an intellect that is based on the true knowledge of God, takes putting God's knowledge into our brains to start with. It takes understanding it, dwelling upon it, seeing its practicality and benefits. As we do this, the change takes place. At that point, doing the right thing is clearly evident to us and we become a person who, "out the good treasure of our heart bring forth that which is good." 

 

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

Actions are the product of thoughts. For a person to do the right thing, they must think the right thing.  Thinking the right thing is the start to doing the right thing. This verse in Philippians states that we should think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report. As we prepare our minds and hearts in this fashion, the fruit will manifest itself in the corresponding actions of these thoughts. As more people carry out these things, a community is blessed, a region is blessed and a nation is blessed. Our foundation is sure and steadfast.