Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Prov 14:34

Dear Editor,

Please note my intention with this letter is to shed light and honest concern, not to sound holier than thou, harsh, bitter, or fed up. Like many who may be reading this, I have deep love for our country, believe it’s the best on Earth, and consider it a great privilege to live here. However, something has my attention of late. When I look around at the condition of our nation, I cannot help but see a rapidly developing demoralizing scene. Instead of moving forward under the direction and will of God, it appears we largely have chosen to replace His standard with a boundary-free curriculum. The Bible and the Ten Commandments are now regarded in many spheres as irrelevant. I’ll remind us that in the mid 1800’s one of the great revivalists, Charles Finney, said the most expensive commodity in the entire universe is sin.

Friends, none of us come close to being perfect, but I know we can change for the better. The starting point for our nation lies in our individual humility and renewed conviction of sin and repentance. A serious desire to obey God’s standard (i.e., the Ten Commandments) and to have His will done in our personal lives, in family relationships, and in our nation describes the process and our ultimate hope.

Sincerely,

Steven J. Bouley

 *** The above letter was sent to a number of local news outlets.  I am so grateful to Pastor Ray Zimberlin, to my son, Darrin, and to my wife, Cynthia,  for their valuable insights and editing. 

In addition, if you would bear with me, the following was not part of the letter, but a personal observation I’d like to share regarding our root problem.  What do you think?

When I look around at the condition of our Nation, one still faintly proclaiming to be under God, all I can see is a demoralizing scene developing rapidly.  From our leaders on down, many of us are caught up in playing our own selfish game rather than paying attention to what’s critical for our Country or praying to the One we claim as our Divine Guidance. It’s clear to me that the reason for this twisted behavioral priority is because of the rewriting of God’s standard with our own boundary-free curriculum.  The Bible and the Ten Commandments are now regarded in many spheres as old hat and irrelevant, even though in the mid 1800’s one of the great revivalists, Charles Finney, said the most expensive commodity in the entire Universe is sin.

To help me make sense out of what seems as moral confusion permeating the atmosphere of our nation, may I present a mock preamble and revised ten commandment list that I see trumping as a more convenient blueprint. As you read them, all I ask is for you to put your prejudices, religious traditions, political leanings and philosophies aside for a moment.  If you can, then my question becomes: Do you think they come close to describing the “new” ethical order that’s influencing the atmosphere of our beloved nation?

Preamble:  You will not be the great I AM.  I will be the greatest!!

1.    I will have as many gods as I need or want.

2.    I will saturate myself with idols.

3.    I will blaspheme your name like no other.

4.    I will whistle while I work, work, work or I will be so idle– rest won’t matter.

5.    I will dishonor my father and mother and blur the definition of family.

6.    I will not only devalue life in my heart, I will watch defenseless millions be eliminated.

7.    I will promote adulterous activity as ‘normal” and profit from a marketing bonanza.

8.    I will steal and cheat as fast as I can, especially if I believe I won’t get caught.

9.    I will tell my own truth, the one that defends me and points a finger elsewhere.

10.  I will openly covet what others have worked hard to possess

If love is fulfilling of the law, as Romans 13:10 states, then the following list, taken from a sermon by D.L. Moody, hits a divine home run!

1. Love of God will admit no other god

2. Love resents everything that debases its object by representing it by an image.

3. Love to God will never dishonor His name.

4.  Love to God will reverence His day.

5.  Love to parents makes one honor them.

6.  Hate, not love, is a murderer.

7.  Lust, not love, commits adultery.

8.  Love will give, but never steal.

9.  Love will not slander or lie.

10.  Love’s eye is not covetous.