Beyond Common Sense

Last week, Tom and I chaperoned some of the students from Williamsport Christian School to see the Museum of Pennsylvania History and our state capital. At the capitol building’s dedication, Theodore Roosevelt said it was “the handsomest state building I have ever seen,” and I quite agree!

I would doubt that any of you, unless you are into art or have just visited the building, would know the name Violet Oakley. She was the artist commissioned to do forty-three murals throughout the architectural masterpiece and then spent twenty-five years doing so, finishing in 1927. The set that intrigued me was her paintings in the Supreme Court chamber.

In those paintings, she depicted divine law, including the Ten Commandments, the beatitudes, and Christ walking on water. She weaves so much meaning into each painting. The mural that fascinated me the most was the one directly above the doorway, pictured below. You’ll see the big “L” very clearly, but if you look closer, you’ll also see the words love, wisdom, and law.

Whenever I see signs of biblical values on any state or federal building, I get excited. (FYI: The Museum of the Bible has a “dazzling, multi-sensory tour ‘flying’ past biblical references in and around Washington, DC, from the Lincoln Memorial to the Library of Congress.”)

Seeing the Ten Commandments and other scripture throughout her paintings was inspiring! I also noticed in the House of Representatives that on the ceiling as you exit the room written in gold are Jesus’ words in John 8:32 — “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Think of it! Every time those lawmakers leave that room, if they would only look up, they will see those profound, life-transforming words! So much business takes place there by our lawmakers, I can understand why the verse is not seen.

Truth, how can it set us free? God’s truth sets us free:

• From sin. The truth about being born as a sinner and then choosing to sin sets us free from Satan’s lies that man is basically good. If we think we are good, we will also see no need for a Savior. Romans 3:23 says, “For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” There is no age limit, economic advantage, racial exclusion, or intellectual conclusion that escapes this truth.
• From sin’s consequences. These are too many to list, but when we sin, there will ALWAYS be consequences. Truth sets us free from them! PTL!
• From bratty children. Sorry, but this is one of my pet peeves. Children can obey and be a blessing. They can have manners and character and be good, productive, honest citizens. Truth sets them free from all the opposites! Parents, be truthful about your parenting or lack thereof!
• From yourself. “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:1,2). Our blind spots shackle us to wrong choices, wrong attitudes, and wrong living.

Can you imagine a world that lived by God’s truth? We would have no need of that beautiful courtroom or any other courtroom! Harmony would rule every decision, every home, every heart.  It’s coming, folks!

John 4:23 (NKJV) “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

I don’t need to worry about lawmakers or lawbreakers. I have enough in my heart to deal with in keeping the truth fresh and alive in my life, but it’s a goal worth keeping! Truth—it truly does set us free!