These
seven principles were once taught in our public schools and upheld in our institutions but today, they are being laid aside
in favor of enlightened thinking. Even some of our churches are failing to proclaim these truths in an effort to be popular.
Principle 1- The Dignity of Human Life
The Scriptures teach the great importance of the respect and
preservation of human life. Our Founding Fathers list this first among the "unalienable rights" given us by the Creator.
If people and nations do not grant ultimate respect and protection
to both the born and unborn, all other professed morals and values are meaningless. The dignity of human life is not just
a principle of the bible, it is the first principle of any civilized society.
Principle 2 – The Traditional Monogamous Family
Our society has been
based upon the belief that the biblical view of traditional marriage and family is the backbone of a healthy social order.
The
plan of God, nature, and common sense is a man and a woman producing children within the institution of marriage. When this
plan is lost marriage and family be come meaningless and a nation and its people will follow the road to ruin. World history
has proven it over and over again. Preserving the traditional family is vital to the future of any great nation.
Principle 3 - A National Work Ethic
Ingrained
deep within the American spirit is the willingness to give a day’s work for a day’s pay. This independent spirit
has no desire to simply exist on handouts from government or to depend on the generosity of others. It is deep within a man’s
heart to provide for his own needs and for those of his family by the efforts of his own hands. In this entitlement society
this is perhaps partial to blame for the epidemic of absentee fathers.
Americans are still the most productive people on earth because of principle #3 which is based on 1 Thessalonians 3:10:
“. . . if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
Principle 4 – The Right to a God-Centered Education
Proverbs
1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” How can one understand creation without first knowing
the Creator?
Our
forefathers understood this. Did you know the most of America’s oldest universities such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton,
and Dartmouth were founded by Christian preachers or churches?
Harvard University, founded 1636, adopted “Rules and Precepts” which stated “let every student be plainly
instructed and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which
is eternal life.” Harvard’s original seal has upon it these words: Truth for Christ and the Church”.
This statement is attributed to George Washington: “Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national
morality can prevail to the exclusion of religious principle . . it is impossible
to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
Principle 5 - The Abrahamic Covenant.
The
Book of Genesis records the story of God’s Covenant (contract) with Abraham. The basis of that covenant states that
if Abraham would follow God, obeying His laws and commandments, God would bless Abraham and his descendents and make him a
great nation.
This
principle plainly put is that if a person or nation obeys God, observing the moral truths found in Scripture, then that person
or nation will be blessed. If they disobey, they remove themselves from that place of blessings.
The
writer of Proverbs tells us “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (14:34)
Principle 6 – Common Decency
Decent
people do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. For the most part this has been the story of our nation’s
history. There have been times when we have missed this mark, but no other nation goes to such great lengths to emend and
atone for its missteps. No other nation is as generous to feed the worlds poor,
clothe the naked, or bring aid to the hurting. Christ Jesus established this standard of decency in Matthew 22:39, “You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Principle 7 – Personal Accountability to God
Perhaps
the greatest restraint against wrong doing towards others is the knowledge that every person and nation will one day give
an account for their actions to the Almighty God. The Bible teaches there is a penalty for wrong and a blessing for doing
that which is right.
The
great American Statesman Daniel Webster was once asked, “What is the most sobering thought that ever entered your mind?”
He quickly responded, “My personal accountability to God.”
Only a return to God’s Word and a revival of His Holy Spirit’s power in our lives will turn this nation
form the destructive course we are on.
Pastor
G.