That’s a hard truth about sin and temptation. The old
saying, “You can’t legislate morality,” recognizes the truth that you can’t
control peoples’ thoughts or hearts. It’s a struggle not to sin, especially if
you think no one will know.
You also can’t legislate faith. Centuries ago, when Daniel’s friends were tossed into the fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, God impressed the king so much by saving them that this is what happened, in Daniel 3:28-29:
“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’”
Quite a decree! The penalty for speaking out against God went beyond just death. And yet, neither Nebuchadnezzar nor his other officials converted, and Daniel would eventually be thrown into the lion’s den. This decree, as harsh as it was, didn’t result in a single soul being saved that we know of.
It’s tempting to think we can spark a revival in this country if we can just create the right conditions by passing laws that outlaw some things and require others. It’s tempting, until I realize that Jesus didn’t work that way when he was on earth. As Chuck Colson said, “Salvation doesn’t come on Air Force One.”
There’s no doubt that having God-fearing leaders is a good thing, but they can’t make your neighbor stop using drugs or university professors stop challenging the way God created us. They can’t make sinners want to stop sinning. And they can’t, by use of political clout, save anyone’s soul.
But they can save souls, if they do it the way Jesus taught. Any Christian who loves and befriends people and tells them the good news can be the catalyst for salvation. Souls are won one at a time, by encountering people who love Jesus. No law can do that. The good news is, no law can stop it, either.
You also can’t legislate faith. Centuries ago, when Daniel’s friends were tossed into the fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, God impressed the king so much by saving them that this is what happened, in Daniel 3:28-29:
“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’”
Quite a decree! The penalty for speaking out against God went beyond just death. And yet, neither Nebuchadnezzar nor his other officials converted, and Daniel would eventually be thrown into the lion’s den. This decree, as harsh as it was, didn’t result in a single soul being saved that we know of.
It’s tempting to think we can spark a revival in this country if we can just create the right conditions by passing laws that outlaw some things and require others. It’s tempting, until I realize that Jesus didn’t work that way when he was on earth. As Chuck Colson said, “Salvation doesn’t come on Air Force One.”
There’s no doubt that having God-fearing leaders is a good thing, but they can’t make your neighbor stop using drugs or university professors stop challenging the way God created us. They can’t make sinners want to stop sinning. And they can’t, by use of political clout, save anyone’s soul.
But they can save souls, if they do it the way Jesus taught. Any Christian who loves and befriends people and tells them the good news can be the catalyst for salvation. Souls are won one at a time, by encountering people who love Jesus. No law can do that. The good news is, no law can stop it, either.
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