A Path to Sustainability

Proverbs 29:18, in the New King James Version, says:
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.

Another translation says that "where there is no vision, the people perish".

And, indeed, God's principles are given to restrain us, so that we may live controlled rather than chaotic lives.  But those restraints are guiding precepts for living a life pleasing to Him and growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.   The freedom we have in Christ is freedom to walk in victory and to enjoy life to the fullest - and the liberty He gives is never to be used as a license to do what we want.    The surrendered life is the most free of all - as we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, we experience sustainable growth and abundant life in Him.

Galatians 6 offers one of those "big picture" principles that can be applied on our path to sustainable spiritual growth:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.


Little did I know 2 months ago when I sat down with the author and social commentator Os Guinness at ICRS that his book would be making such an impact on the Christian community.   Eric Metaxas and our friends at Breakpoint and the Colson Center have recommended the book, and just today, quotes from Mr. Guinness appear at the Christian Post website.

The book is called, "A Free People's Suicide: Sustainable Freedom and the American Future".   In it, Guinness embraces a concept he calls the "Golden Triangle".   Metaxas and John Stonestreet write:

The American experiment in ordered liberty was founded on three interdependent precepts which Guinness calls, "the Golden Triangle." Freedom requires virtue, which in turn requires faith, which of course can only be truly practiced in a free society. "And so it goes round and round like the recycling wheel," says Guinness.

Through this triad of concepts, the American founders sought to address the failures of previous cultures and governments, envisioning a free society "which could last forever."

"They wanted a sustainable form of freedom," contends Guinness. "But I believe America today is practicing an unsustainable form of freedom."

Ordered liberty - freedom can be a powerful force to strengthen the individual and the culture, but it can also be a deterrent to a productive society, because if it is not tempered by virtue, then circumstances will spiral out of control.   And, when we see the lack of moral restraint, it has implications in a variety of areas.   Take the economy - the Internet is replete with quotes that financially, America is not on a - sustainable! - path.   Sure, we have the freedom - to spend freely, for government to try to interject itself in all sorts of social programs, but without the proper restraints.   And, now, enormous debt has been incurred, and there are all sorts of dire predictions about what may come in the very near future - a great example of freedom without restraint.

But, what about each of us individually?   Are there areas in our lives where we have exercised the freedom to make decisions, but we have made choices that have placed us on an unsustainable trajectory?    I believe God will give us the wisdom to change course, and there may be some negative consequences of those choices that perhaps the Lord will use to teach us so that we prevent such errors in the future.   God gives us freedom, but that freedom has to operate within the boundaries that He has provided for us - He has given us reliable principles that can guide our lives and bring sustainable spiritual growth.    But, we have to recognize the wisdom of His word, and follow through on walking in His prescribed path.