Waxing Liberal
These days the word “liberal” is as common as dogs, and maybe needs to be defined. It is the condition of being free of restraint, minimum personal rules & accountability, just a general “free spirit” attitude. Seems like most young people prefer this condition, & today’s liberal party does have a lot of the youth culture element on board. In politics liberalism desires to identify with the underdogs of society & their interests. But having unlimited political correctness & over killing issues like clean air, racial inequality, gay rights, legalizing questionable drugs, promoting modicum performance, giving the vote to newcomers & children, and handling the U.S. Constitution recklessly, etc., etc. would seem to be unhealthy for the nation.
There is an incident in the Old Testament where Solomon had been king of Israel & just died. His heir son Rehoboam refused the advice of his father’s counselors; and went with the advice of his (young) peers on management style. The kingdom quickly fell apart on that liberal approach. 1 Kings 12. I fear that today’s “waxing liberal” will not be healthy for the U.S. either. Jesus Christ gave His opinion 2000 years ago, “a kingdom divided cannot stand” Mark 3:24
Of course, Biblical religion is not especially popular with today’s young & left liberal party, but has liberalism itself become the national religion?? It is alarming that our universities, which should be open minded & fair, are together on bashing the Bible & the Christian church. They want to be scientific on all subjects, and “have to see it to believe it” – see “Saying No To God” link 53.
On the individual level, is “waxing liberal” something that leads to personal success & fulfillment? Liberalism promotes self-interest (& much tattoos), living for money, pride, arrogant (loose) values, abusive to authority, disloyal to parents, unholy lifestyles, etc. (That list of liberal stuff is my paraphrase from the Apostle Paul’s “word” on the last days. 2 Timothy 3:1-2) Success & fulfillment calls for things like self-discipline, knowledge, work, money management, & faith. Not a loose connection with the responsible elements of life. And "if we stand for nothing, we can & will fall for anything”. Anon. (See “The Con Job”, link 111.)
Scripture teaches another kind of “waxing”:
- “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death." Proverbs 14:27
- “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!" Isaiah 5:20-21
- “But this is the man (woman) to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." Isaiah 66:2b
- “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” J. C. Matthew 11:29
This world & its value system can & will promote “Waxing Liberal”. Now a blunt definition is given by an Orthodox Rabbi I admire, "Modern liberalism simply means becoming "liberated" from the external authority of God." (from "America's Real War", pg. 271, Daniel Lapin) Only the outcome of this "rejecting God" (Lapin pg. 273) for the nation & the individual cannot be a good thing according to the Bible & history & conservative thinkers. God’s Word warns us: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Psalm 9:17 KJV “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4 Those are tough teachings that clearly apply to “Waxing Liberal”. I for one, want to be found “waxing towards God”. Choose Jesus & His value system. They bring fulfillment in time & eternity. See also "The World" link 27.
Many other interesting Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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