Posted by
The Chiefest of Sinners on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:00:00 PM
Tables of Stone
Federal Judges are ordering monuments removed from Government buildings, based on the grounds the markers violate the Constitution’s ban on government promotion of a religious doctrine. I have included here the text of the First Amendment to the Constitution, commonly referred to as the “Establishment Clause”:
Article [I.] Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I am reminded of the words of Jesus, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matt 10:34). The Founding Fathers wrote this document we study so much today in a time when most would agree that God and service to God ranked high in most men’s mind and conscience, at least here in the territories and states that would become our country. Most of those who didn’t worship God nevertheless had a deep and abiding respect for Him and His Word. I remember an old Chrisitian Brother commenting on the perversion of this day and age. Paraphrasing, he said that in days gone by, if a man committed such a crime (whatever we were discussing at that time) “The sinners would run him out of town and the church people wouldn’t have to get involved”. From this I take it that people led descent moral lives, and knew what was right and what was wrong. This country was founded on Christian principles that the Devil’s advocates are attempting to dismantle daily. What are those that want to remove God from everything and everywhere afraid of? Are they afraid of the Fruit of the Spirit, which is “…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22,23)? Certainly the scripture is true, “…every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:20). Those tables of stone in these buildings are an offense to those whose deeds are evil and have their minds blinded by the god of this world. How thankful we should be that we don’t need the tables of stone anymore; for we live daily the promise, “…I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts…” (Jer 31:33). God knew when he sent his Son, that the time was fulfilled for the tables of stone. They had served their purpose (proving man’s guilt; see Rom 5:13,20), but it was now time for “grace and truth” to be brought by Jesus Christ. Paul said, “For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.” (2 Cor 3:11). Isaiah said, speaking of God’s prophesied servant to come, “The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; He will magnify the Law and make it honourable.”(Is42:21). It was time to set things straight. It was time for God’s people to be “…wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt 10:16). We don’t need to fight the battles of God in the streets, in the courthouses of this land, or even in the flesh; but on our knees, praying to the One who has power over the “spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph 6:12). Praying to the One who can turn hearts, “…whithersoever he will”. (Prov 21:1). Peter said concerning the preaching of the Gospel and the Word of God, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts.” (2 Pet 1:19). Until God intervenes and touches the heart, this Word we reference will always be on a table of stone, and therefore good only for condemnation (see Rom 7:10), but upon the intervention of God this Word becomes “spirit, and …life” (John 6:63).