Christian Living
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
"13 The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: “Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets.”14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the LORD their God. 15 They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.”16 They forsook all the commands of the LORD their God and made for themselves two idols cast in the shape of calves, and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the starry hosts, and they worshiped Baal. 17 They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sought omens and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger. 18 So the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left, 19 and even Judah did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. They followed the practices Israel had introduced. 20 Therefore the LORD rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of plunderers, until he thrust them from
his presence". (II Kings 17:13-18
I realize this scripture was directed towards Israel. However, can we not draw a parallel to today's America ? Has the Lord God also removed the USA from His presence ? One need only read the latest newspaper, tune in the nightly TV news, or surf the internet to see how the USA has become spiritually backslidden, similar to that of Noah's time. (Genesis 6:7-13). And with this godless culture comes the chaotic happenings such as civil lawlessness , government corruption, unusual weather patterns causing major property damage, injury and death, a struggling economy, Christian apostasy, diminishing church attendance, and just plain evil all around us.
So. is the USA clearly in the beginning stage of God's judgment for our collective national sins (Psalms 19:7-11). Will this evil progress if we don't heed God's warnings ? (Hebrews 11:7) (2 Peter 2:5) Or, is it now too late ? No ! God, through His infinite love, always gives a way of escape ( 1Cor 10:13).
Let me just give you a brief scenario. People hold faith with the highest regards, respect others, allow hand-shake contracts, and work hard as a group. The Ten Commandments are display at will. Memorial crosses are displayed in the appropriate locations. Prayer is offered at all public assemblies, such as patriotic gatherings, sports events, and governmental meetings. The US congress believes and talks religious beliefs. Patriotic music is played by the various military service bands. We get goose bumps when we hear patriotic Christian music being played. The Bible is proudly display on our military reservations. Christianity is freely talked and preach within all aspects of our country, both private and public. Christ is the prominent name of Christmas and his manger scenes are displayed all over the country. Easter sunrise services are held in "City Halls" Bibles are passed our freely in schools, hotels and hospitals. The American flag waves proudly in our yards. The Bible is the main attraction in the home, usually displayed on the coffee table. Bible studies are held openly in private homes. The TV signs off each night with a Biblical sermonic disclosure. The main-line newspapers, such as the new York Times, print religious sermons and Christian commentaries. Businesses are closed on Sunday and all religious holidays. Bible classes are offered in schools for credit. Christian devotionals are broadcast over the school PA systems. The "US Pledge of Allegiance" is mandatory in all schools. Is this a move into a new utopia, or have we moved into the coming 1000 year reign of Christ on earth ? Not so. Just an example of the good old USA, a half century plus ago.
Now days, the twisted "church and state" laws seems to run our country, as the courts have outlawed the various laws of God. Our God given rights, such as the US Constitution, are being ignored. The preachers either get thrown in jail or twists the Word of God to avoid being persecuted, thus, the full gospel is not being preached (1 Cor 15:1-4). We are no longer allowed to protect our homes against criminal intrusion, for fear of being unjustly prosecuted against God's holy word (Exodus 22:2). Our confidential correspondence is being monitored (Matthew 13:19). God's marriage laws are on the decline or being replaced by the so-called "civil unions" (Genesis 2:21-24). Abortion is prevalent, as approx 50 million plus babies have been murdered (Psalms 139:13-16). It's now acceptable to talk back to our elders, and then find excuses for the way things are going (1 Timothy 5:1-2). It's Okay to go clubbing Saturday night, then pretend to be good Christians Sunday morning (Philippians 2:5). It's all right to meddle in our neighbors business, as long as we don't mention the gospel. ( 2 Peter 4:15-16) It's Okay to follow the trend of church leaders that preach hatred and blame all our problems on somebody else (Romans 12:19).
The main theme, of today's ungodly demographics, is the apathy of the church. The country seems to be encouraging trends in the church today that corrupt the truth of the Christian faith, which tends to lead unsuspecting believers away from Jesus Christ. ( 2 Timothy 3:1-7,9, 13). Our country was not only founded on Christian principles, but many even fought and died for such convictions.
We have now excepted the fact that we are a people of many religions and beliefs, as Christ is no longer the only way to God. (John 14:6) Christians are still the dominant religious group, however, it is no longer considered appropriate to proclaim one's religious faith in public settings (Philippians 1:21), as we can no longer pray in the name of Jesus or even mentioning His name. Ethics and morality have now been cut off from our religious sources (Colossians 3:17) . You see, secularity, not religiosity, is now the "buzz word. Welcome to the "churchless age" of the 21st Century ! (Ephesians 6:12)
What is our solution, in this politically correct world ? Simply put, God gives us a personal promise in ( 2 Chronicles 7:14). Individually, must humble ourselves, pray, seek the face of God, and turn from our wicked ways (Revelation 2:4). When we do this, God has promised to hear, forgive our sins ( 1 John 1:9), and heal our land.
Are we now ready to fight the battle ( Ephesians 6:10-11, 13-17) ? Are we now ready to seriously take on a meek prayerful attitude (Ephesians 6:18) by petitioning our Lord to give us revival and save our land ? (Psalm 143:10) Are we ready to reach out and seek God's face in repentance (Psalm 25:4) ? And most of all, are we ready to give up all for Him (Proverbs 3:5-8) ? I just don’t see anywhere in the Scriptures where God gives us a warning and then just tells us to do nothing with it. It's up to us, America. We, in the USA, just need to take on a book of Acts mind-set. The early church, seemed to be all alone, but they all, filled with the Holy Spirit boldness, turned the world upside down for God. (Acts 2:38-47)
So, has God passed judgment on our national sins? ? Will God forgive America ? God is the same God He has always been. He will forgive America and heal our land. He will bless us again. However, He expects His people to admit and repent of their sins. We, as a nation, must repent before Almighty God, ask for his forgiveness, and not continue down the same path of destruction. Then, and only then, will God "Bless America" once again.
Author's Post Script
From the very onset of human history up until now, we have many examples of the consequences of avoiding God's plans for our lives, individually and collectively. The scripture gives many examples of this, starting with the major disobedience of them all, that has effected mankind forever. That being the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. ) Genesis 3:1-7 ).
This defiance against God continued at the tower of Babel, in which God stopped their building plan by confusing their language ( Genesis 11:1-9 ) However, the heart of the matter is made clear in these words, "let us make a name for ourselves". ( Genesis 11:4 ).
And what about those Israelites, having to wander in the desert for forty years, due to their disobedience. ( Joshua 5:6 ) And on-an-on we go down through the scriptures, to our modern day culture. When God is left out of any preparation, ( Romans 1:28-32 ) be it government, business or personal, evil consequences begin to start occurring.
Is that same philosophy not still true in America ? That of leaving God out of our plans. It would surely be Okay if our intention was to give God the glory for our accomplishments. However, by leaving God out of our preparation, as was the case at Babel, we as a country are treading on a rotten foundation. Much like the men of old, we are now seeing our own "Harbingers".
So, there is something seriously wrong with my testimony if I have head God's warnings, have heeded them in my life but haven't shared the word God has given me with others (Ezekiel 33:1-7)
God warns us of danger, because of His love for us.
It is up to us to take His warnings seriously.
It is an act of God’s love that we give warning of these dangers.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR
This article has been read 1129 times < Previous | Next >
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.