Politics

Will America Rise Again?

by John Clark 
07/25/16
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A friend of mine recently said, "You know, America has changed a lot." Indeed, it has, and not in good ways. This nation is at a point where most people have probably thought it would never be. Religious freedom has been taken for granted. Christianity has always been considered a pillar for upholding morality and biblical principles. Christian schools and universities have been undisturbed to teach and adhere to distinctive beliefs that identify them as being just that-Christian. Pastors have had the freedom to give biblical instruction without the fear of government intrusion. America has been under the hand of God's grace and blessing, and beneath the umbrella of God's protection for so long. In the last couple of years that has all changed and appears to be rapidly accelerating. 

     This year, 2016, is a pivotal year for America. Christians are beginning to be silenced, including the monitoring of sermons by government agencies. Christians are losing jobs just because they are Christians, or because they are speaking out against social issues that violate their convictions. The LGBTQ community is targeting Christian schools. Islam and the gay agenda are infiltrating our public schools. Christians are no longer being well received in a large segment of the American society. If I took the space I could list pages of headlines to support what I have just shared with you. Google "News for Christians" and you will see what I mean. The average Christian and church congregation is not talking about these things. Is that because either they are not informed, or are in denial?

     There is also a great falling away from biblical principles and an acceptance of the LGBTQ agenda and Islam by some denominations and churches that one would have never expected to cave into political correctness. 

     Why is all this happening? Why has America changed so dramatically for the worse? For decades there has been a moral and spiritual downhill slide. There has been ample time for the nation to turn back to God. Even though individuals and some organizations and churches who are remaining faithful to God and his ways are being blessed by God, the nation as a whole is no longer under God's grace. Many people believe that God has withdrawn his blessings upon this nation and that judgment has already begun. God's grace does not last forever. 

     Why should people expect God to bless this nation when there are still millions of unborn babies being murdered, same-sex marriage has been legalized, God has been replaced with all sorts of idols of worship, and we have a president who has thumbed his nose at Israel? 

     America is experiencing what it says in Romans 1. Three times in this chapter is the phrase, "God gave them over" (NASV). He gave people over to "the lusts of their hearts to impurity"(vs 24). He gave them over to "degrading passions"(vs 26). And he gave them over to a "depraved mind, to do thing which are not proper" (vs 28). Why? Because people "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (vs 18). They have "exchanged the truth of God for a lie" (vs 25). They have not seen "fit to acknowledge God any longer" (vs 28). We are seeing the evil side of human nature. No, most people are not bad people, but the Bible says that the human heart is desperately wicked without the grace of God. 

     We all know, however, that what we are witnessing is not limited to the United States. Scripture tells us that there would come a day in history when these things would happen, including an increase in lawlessness and hate (Matthew 24:6-12). Revelation 6:4 and 8 also mention that people will "take peace from the earth" and will "slay one another."

     America must see a dramatic upswing or things will only get worse. Will God reinstate his grace on America? Will America rise again, morally and spiritually? God is in control, but the American people have a choice in this election year. We are electing not only a new president, but deciding a course for the entire next generation. Whomever is elected will appoint possibly five new United States Supreme Court justices, who will be making decisions affecting the next generation and beyond. Think about that: What do you want America to be like for your great-grandkids? Do you want to have to tell them that America did not used to be this way? How will America be in the next 2, 5, or 10 years, if things continue the way they are, only worse?

     Ronald Reagan said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the U.S. when we were free."