We are accountable for our actions

In many crimes, the perpetrators are portrayed as victims. We become incensed and hurt by the senseless taking of human lives.

The excuse? They had an unhappy childhood. They were deprived. They lost their job. They were passed over for a promotion. The marriage fell apart. The list is endless.

Yet, it is everyone else’s fault. Somebody somewhere did them wrong. It is society’s fault that some deranged person never learned responsibility or accountability for his or her own actions.

So the world’s answer to this dilemma is more gun control, more laws, more policemen, more government funding and more taxes.

Why is it so hard for the world to admit that a society governed by the Bible is a society that flourishes?

Research has proven that those who live by biblical standards not only have longer lives, but also are less likely to abuse alcohol or drugs. They are less prone to be wife or child abusers, criminals or lawbreakers. They are more than likely to stay married.

These Bible believers keep a strong family, a husband, a wife and children. This unit is more apt to rear law-abiding God-honoring citizens. The strength of a nation depends on the strength of its families.

In spite of this, the world wants to strip these solid-rock families of their rights, and in many cases, their beliefs.

The taking of prayer out of school punishes the believers. They are harassed to remove the Ten Commandments. (Lest the students see a better way to live.) They are denied having Nativity scenes in public places when the whole Christmas message is about a Savior.

We certainly cannot save ourselves. God-honoring people are the back-boned citizens who keep this nation strong and balanced. Every day they must fight to keep and preserve the freedoms our founding fathers sacrificed to pass on to posterity.

The last thing any one of us needs is more government control in our private lives. How much of our tax money is spent on government waste? If we knew the exact amount, it would be even more staggering. (If possible.)

I find great wisdom in Proverbs 29:2: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice …” (KJV).

Habakkuk 1:4 could be describing present day headlines: “The law is not enforced, and there is not justice given in the courts, for the wicked far outnumber the righteous, and bribes and trickery prevail.” (TLB)

So where does all of this leave us? The answer is contained in Proverbs 14:34: “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (NIV) Surely we want our nation exalted with law-abiding citizens.

History repeats itself. Instances in the Old Testament speak of wisdom for us today. Every time people turned against God, enemies overtook them.

I believe until we return to biblical truths, we will continue to see a country that runs rampant. Mankind has a serious heart problem, and only God can change the heart.

Let us stand up and be counted. Let us make our voices heard. Let’s take back our country that our grandparents and parents knew, a country that respected God, the flag and life, whether that life was young or old. Let’s speak for a nation that honors morality. “Where there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily, but with honest, sensible leaders, there is stability” (Proverbs 28:2 TLB).