It is the season of Advent, a time for one to reflect on what is spiritually, morally, mentally, and physically essential to a fulfilling life. We seek peace in our relationships. We contemplate coexistence with others in a world increasingly complex in its emphasis of differences. We want to contribute to society in an effort to realize a secure and prosperous future for our children. Yet, no matter how we live our own lives, we at times feel powerless to help the greater order.
Where is the hope and reconciliation with current events that we so desperately desire to address? It begins with ourselves in this season upon our reflection of what we truly believe. What we believe is determined by that in which we have ultimate faith. Faith is the foundation of a mindset that whoever or whatever is in charge of the universe has set a course of denouement for human events that, in the final conclusion, the means will have been justified.
The substance of this faith then, in a universal purpose of existence, becomes foundational to feeling secure about the future whether or not there is deemed to be a logical aftereffect that is beneficial to humanity.
There is a common conclusion reached by both secularists and Christians as to the understanding of purpose of life. Both agree that, as individuals, we do not have the ability to explain in normal evidentiary terms how something always could have been. Yet, by our very existence, either an eternal greater power or greater uncaused cause has always existed as a prerequisite to existence. Both approach the necessary order through three covenant relationships: government, society, and the individual.
However, both approach the covenant relationships from antithetical premises.
Secularists, knowing instinctively that the individual is inadequate in understanding and explaining eternity, gravitate to the concept that collectively, individuals can solve all problems. This leads to government being the ultimate solution for all of society’s ills. Consciously or unconsciously, secularists come to the conclusion that one individual may be flawed in intellect but, collectively in government, all flaws are cured.
Government decisions are then dictated to society which is expected to conform to the collective wisdom. Family authority is not only not respected but seen as a threat to the basic premise that ultimate wisdom can only be mastered within mankind’s collective intellect.
The individual is then enshrined as a single imperative. The purpose of the individual is portrayed as paramount to the overall good of the order. The resulting principle becomes identity politics. Divisions of society become intractable. Government is then depended upon to address intractable divisions caused by the flawed concept that, in government, collective wisdom is not only superior but capable of curing mankind’s moral fallacies.
Total dependence upon government therefore exacerbates the original recognition of fact that mankind is incapable of individually solving his or her own problems producing a vicious circle of dystopia leaving failing government, broken families, and society in despair as normal.
Christians approach order from an entirely different priority. The individual exists pursuant to the will of a greater power for the purpose of serving others. The family is the ultimate authority of morality. A collection of families obedient to God’s word impacts society righteously. Societies through its citizens empower government to facilitate the rights of the people to obey God’s laws as they see fit.
Total dependence upon God therefore enhances the original recognition of fact that mankind is incapable of individually solving his or her own problems producing a healthy prosperous effect.
Attempting to explain how humanity came into existence without any recognition of a higher power will at best conclude in a scientific exposé that has at its genesis no eternal purpose for the reality of life. Mankind is an accident. Therefore, not only is the future uncertain, all outcomes are random.
Christianity is based on the singular primary conclusion that God is sovereign, mankind is created in His own image, and therefore, the purpose of life is culminant in God’s purposes.
It is endless hopelessness to try to explain eternity without recognition of a higher power sequencing God’s covenant relationships with the individual, society, and government in the right order.
The choices one makes by individual free will indubitably will determine what one believes and whom or what one worships for confidence in the logical aftereffect that is beneficial to humanity that renders hope and peace.
We only have to fear the future if we have no faith in how or why we exist for the benefit of one another.
The resilience of mankind to unselfishly serve the greater cause of the greater power is replete throughout society, every hour of every day. Yes, there is evil in the world. But the majority of people are willing to share to provide security for all in the greater plan.
In this season, have faith in God’s purpose, take stock in His principles, believe in the greater good of His order, commit to loving one another, for this is the means by which the end will be justified.
Reflect …
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. Philippians 4:8
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?
