The Secret of Self-government

The Secret Of Self-government

When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us . . . self-control (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT).

Dear friends:

Founding Father and second U.S. President, John Adams, made a most astonishing statement that is so relevant today. He said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."

What is the basis of such an extreme statement?

America has been a great experiment in self-government. Self-government, of course, requires "government of self." Government of one's self requires control over one's selfish, carnal drives that can harm others. The early Americans knew this spiritual principle from the Bible -- that self-control is a fruit and outer working of the Holy Spirit in one's life, and that the indwelling and influence of the Holy Spirit comes when one receives, trusts and obeys Christ.

In 1852, statesman, Congressman and Senator Robert C. Winthrop said it this way: "All societies must be governed in some way or other. The less they may have stringent state government, the more they must have individual self-government ... Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them, or by a power without them... "

This is how America was born: (1) commitment to God, (2) commitment to one another, and (3) self-control. This is the fledgling nation birthed by our Founding Fathers in 1776. This is what caused them to lay their lives on the line, sacrificing everything, to declare our independence and form our first national government. It is what birthed the greatest missionary sending nation in history, enabling us in just the last few years alone to communicate the gospel to literally billions of people worldwide.

But back to President John Adam's statement about our Constitution made only for a moral and religious people. As America has abandoned our spiritual roots and has become increasingly morally degenerate, we can already see the truth of that statement. The wicked are taking advantage of our Constitution and with the help of the anti-Christian lawyers are using it against us and in their favor. Even foreign terrorists and drug dealers are trying to exploit our constitutional rights, provided by the sacrifices of our Founding Fathers.

America desperately needs a spiritual awakening and revival. Let us continue to fast and pray to that end.

Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission

each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright