October 1, 2009

Dear Friend,

What do you do when you cut loose from God? How do you live, what guides your decisions? How can you tell right from wrong? And when you think about it, who would consciously decide to cut loose from God? Does anyone say, "I don’t care about God, I’m going to dump him"? Maybe, but they are generally out on the fringe somewhere.

A pertinent example arises in the last sermon of Moses to Israel. He said, "See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it" (Deuteronomy 4:5 NIV). Israel was to be, contrary to the nations around them, a government of laws. And part of the reason for this appeared as Moses continued to underline the importance of the laws: "Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’" (v. 6).

So wherein lay the danger to the Israelites? "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them" (v. 9).

Do you have any idea how this very idea played out in the founding of this country? We were to be a nation of laws, under the rule of law, not of a king. And don’t kid yourself. The law of Moses underlay everything we built in this country, we just didn’t say so. We have forgotten, and we have not instilled this love of law into our children. So, what is the alternative to the rule of law?

In the 17th century, a gentleman named Samuel Rutherford wrote a book titled Lex Rex (The Law the King). His argument was based on Deuteronomy 17, and it supported rule by law rather than rule by men. His philosophy laid the foundation for Thomas Hobbes and John Locke and, thus, for the American system of a social contract based on separation of powers.

Now here is the burning question. If you don’t have Lex Rex, "the law is king," what is the alternative? Simple. You have the opposite: Rex Lex, "the king is the law." After the English Restoration, the authorities burned Rutherford’s Lex Rex and cited the Rutherford for high treason. He died in his own good time before they could carry out the sentence.

Do you think it is possible, if our nation was no longer ruled by law, that we might be ruled by a dictator, a king, an emperor? Naw, that couldn’t happen here, surely. But, why not? It happened to Israel. It even happened to Italy and Germany in the last century. What makes us so special? If we grow weary and want a government that will just take care of us, we just might be happy to have a dictator. Bad idea? Yes, but we wouldn’t be the first country in history to roll over before a tyrant. I will tell you in no uncertain terms that I am terrified at the possibility of any kind of dictatorship. But we may have, as a country, grown old and tired and simply unwilling to pay the price of liberty.

I would tell you more, but this is not the forum. I recently recorded a program, titled A God Forgotten, that every American should hear. We will rush a FREE CD of the program to you right away if you call or write by November 15, 2009. Don’t delay. Time is getting away from us.

Urgently,

Ronald L. Dart

PS. The CD is FREE of charge to obtain maximum distribution, but don’t think we couldn’t use your help. So far our losses in radio have been at a minimum. But the economy is taking its toll and we can’t predict what will come next. Let us hear from you.

Speakers Choice #53

Why is God Silent? - God isn’t coy, and He doesn’t seem to repeat Himself. But, are there times when you wish you could get more direct answers from God? David pled with God not to draw him away with the wicked who speak peace to their neighbors, but mischief in their hearts. Perhaps the Israeli people identify more with David, and aren’t so trusting of their neighbors who "speak peace" but don’t mean what they say. Christians tend to be naive and trusting, sometimes when they shouldn’t. We seem to be living late in a long period of God’s silence. Why do you think that might be? And what might he say to us if he decided not to keep silent? Learn what you should be doing, and how God can speak to you.

The Road - Have you noticed how black people dress up for church? But, what’s the big deal about what we wear to church? Did Jesus or Paul ever wear a tie to synagogue or church? No, but they didn’t wear pants either. As far as we know, Jesus wore a robe. In our culture, we are always in the process of changing our style—style of dress, style of worship, style of music. Removing the necktie is the first step in dressing down, as opposed to dressing up. The next step might be to wear jeans with a sport coat and open collar, then drop the coat and leave the shirt tail out. In part, it is a rebellion against the previous generation. Jesus gave us the parable of a guest coming to the wedding without wearing a wedding garment. What did He mean, and what lesson is in there for us?

Beyond Redemption - Have you heard it said that Nazi war criminals were convicted and hanged because of the Jews’ testimony against them? That’s simply not true. The most damning evidence at Nuremberg was the Nazis own meticulous record keeping. Learn how none of the defendants at Nuremberg attempted to refute the evidence. They sought instead to explain away their own participation and to shift the blame onto others. The evidence was not circumstantial, it was direct and damning. Justice Jackson said, "What makes this inquest significant is that these prisoners represent sinister influences that will lurk in the world long after their bodies have returned to dust." Could he have been right? You’ll gain insightful and disturbing knowledge of when the wicked go astray. This sermon is vital to your understanding.

Leadership Found - Apart from Jesus Christ, David would no doubt be the greatest biblical example of leadership. His name occurs more than 1000 times in the Old Testament alone—easily the most influential and dominant Old Testament figure. A curious fact: no one else in the Bible was named David. It’s almost as if God intended this youngest son, David, to be one of a kind. He was an uncomplicated man who was able to see an issue clearly, go straight to the heart of the matter, and act on it, as he did with Goliath who was defying Israel, the armies of the Living God. Everyone should hear this message time and again—you, your children, and grandchildren. It lays out characteristics of leadership that will inspire you to become a better person—a true leader.

If you would like to order these essential Born to Win broadcasts, please click below to order. Each CD is priced at $5.95 and each CD contains two programs.

SC53-1CD   Why Is God Silent?/The Road

SC53-2CD   Beyond Redemption/Leadership Found