Tuesday; February 26

          Most people who have studied American history are familiar with the name Frederick Douglass.  Douglass was born into slavery in Maryland, but would become a spokesman for freedom.  Much has been made of Douglass’ philosophy but the other day I came across a truism that transcends every aspect of life.  Douglass is quoted as saying, “The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful and virtuous.”.  In a time when we are debating the safety and security of our nation, it is important that we not only protect our physical borders, but our integrity as well.  It might be a good idea to do something to protect ourselves from bad outside influences, but we’d also better be promoting the development of the goodness that must spring forth from inside our borders.
          While Douglass’ quote can apply to our nation today, I think that it speaks just as loudly to modern churches.  As spiritual people we speak of the security found in Christianity, but that will only be possible when we demonstrate the qualities of honesty, truthfulness and virtue.  We must not try to hoodwink the world into seeing things our way through deception or partial truths, religion must be transparent as we seek the higher plain.  As disciples of Christ we are taught that we can “... know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32), but we also challenged, “... let us not love with word or with tongue, but indeed and truth” (I John 3:18).
          Christ’s church must always take the highest road available.  Remember, we will not be judged by the moral compass of the rest of the world, but by the truth Jesus taught.
          Think About It! 

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