In their successful presidential campaign of 2016 you'll no doubt remember how Donald Trump used the slogan, 'Make America Great Again'... ad nauseam! But then, what's actually meant by this statement? What is it that makes a nation great? Is it political power, exceptional wealth, international status; or is it the way they care for their poor, the sophistication of their medical services, their scientific achievements, etc, etc? Yet, it's interesting to note that whilst the world might 'measure' greatness in such terms, God sees things quite differently. Instead of power or wealth He makes it clear that...
'Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.'
Proverbs 14:34
In other words, the true glory of a nation is in the extent to which public and private life correspond to the righteous law of God... and not just in theory, but in day-to-day living.
THE PREDICAMENT FACING US
And so, here we are, with the 2 remaining candidates each vying for the 'top job' in our own Government. Each trying to out-argue one another in order to impress the true Tory faithful, largely over what seems to be the major issue of the day... the cost of living crisis! In fact, it seems as though all other issues, both national and international, pale into insignificance in comparison. But then we're also yet to hear any of our political leaders publicly referring to our Christian heritage, the relevance of Christian morality today and nothing of course on how resultant behavioural restraint would strengthen our economy.
But wait a minute, let's just think how this one major issue, the cost of living crisis, could be remedied, at least in part, by a widespread outbreak of true Christian living. After all, that's what happened in the course of the Welsh revival of 1904 - meetings were held to decide how best to use the Police... given that there had been such a reduction in crime!!
THE CHALLENGE FACING US
But what of our own nation in 2022? With us now being told to brace ourselves for energy bills which are set to soar even further, millions are bound to plunge into poverty as never before. Yet how could greater social righteousness impact our national economic climate? Now please don't get me wrong, what I'm about to suggest would in no way eliminate our nation's financial and resultant social problems, but it would help considerably.
So, let's take a glance at some facts and figures relevant to our prevailing circumstances.
Britain is said to be the fifth-largest economy in the world. 104 billionaires are based in the UK... more per head of population than any other country in the world. London is home to 72 billionaires, more per head of population than any other city in the world. So I guess a bit of voluntary 'levelling up' wouldn't go amiss in keeping with God's call for generosity... and of course it's long-lost cousin, self-denial. But of course this applies not only to the 'fat cats' amongst us, but doesn't it also challenge some of the thinner ones, like you and me?
And what about the costs of our self-inflicted 'misbehaviour'? After all, just how much would the country save if we truly respected the bodies that God has made and given us? For example, smoking costs our NHS more than £5 billion a year; alcohol-related illness £3.5 billion a year and obesity £4.2 billion a year. And the true cost of crime costs us a staggering £100 billion a year, with this set to increase due to ever more cyber scamming.
Yes, of course 'righteousness' would not only exalt our nation, but it would also save us a whopping great amount of unnecessary expenditure. So come on politicians, let's see some genuine moral leadership for once. And why not do something really radical... and politically incorrect, by heeding God's Word! And let's see an outbreak of righteousness!
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