I know that the title of this post is a painful thing to swallow. You may be involved in an active Church, and part of a group of faithful followers of Christ. In your immediate sphere of community, there is evidence that Jesus is known. But when you are able to look -- really look -- beyond what constitutes family and friends, and are willing to see with open and honest eyes, I think you have to admit that our nation has fallen far from what Jesus asks of us.
And what He desires from us is pure living; to not only reject the world [and all it offers] but to renounce it. What does that mean? It means we can't just break agreement with the idea of the sins of the world, but we must actually disown "the hidden things of shame" -- and going even further, we must forbid even the approach of the things disowned [according to the Greek definition of the word "renounce"]. As you can imagine, that's going to require radical change in the way we live our lives in this 21st Century of compromise with the world.
If we are to consider ourselves true "Christians", then we must become "little Christs", willing to give up all our ownership of this world and our own desires, in favor of what He calls us to. Attending Church each Sunday, or giving up that major sin you know is wrong, is not enough. That's what I think Jesus sees as shallow faith, and allows us to hang on to everything else that we profess to have renounced and disowned. Following Jesus in a life that imitates His comes with a price. It involves true sacrifice and surrendering all in order to follow Him in truth and spirit. If we, as a nation, could do that then think how we would appear to this world.
So, take a good look around -- look at your own home and family; your community or town; your state; and then the whole nation. Can any of us truly declare that we are following Christ -- that we have disowned the world? Consider Luke 14:33 ... So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not [carefully consider the cost, and then for My sake] give up all his own possessions. NOTE: Jesus is not asking us to live in poverty, but to be willing to surrender everything that is ours to Him and His influence [physically, emotionally, and spiritually]. That means our relationships, our plans, our desires, everything material that is ours, up to and including our lives. That's why He says "carefully consider" ... it's a high cost.
Some of us have already been willing to pay the price; we have considered the individual cost and it's all been worth it. But look at our nation! We are far from even considering the cost, let alone be willing to pay it. I'm afraid our nation is unwilling to disown all that brings it pleasure, riches, and a convenient and accommodating lifestyle. As a society, we don't want to even consider renouncing what the world offers, let alone actually separating from and disowning it. The cost is too high! But we have no idea of the price God will exact from us because of those choices.
We only have to look at the Book of Romans to see a very clear picture of what it could cost us. When a righteous nation no longer lives by faith, it quickly morphs into rebellion ... For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, and they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts darkened (Romans 1:21). God has warned us in His Word that when we choose rebellion over walking in faith, He will remove His hedge of Protection from our nation and allow our sin to multiply. He will give us over to "the lust of our hearts for impurity, that our bodies might be dishonored among us" (Romans 1:24).
So, what has that looked like in the United States of America? I lived through the 1970s when my University Health Center handed out birth control like candy, and the morning-after pill was readily available, no questions asked. Planned Parenthood "free clinics" began popping up in the neighborhoods close to campus, where an inconvenient pregnancy could easily be terminated. To say that that generation "exchanged the truth about God for a lie" is an understatement! Romans 1:26 says "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions". The Amplified version says "degrading and vile passions". The rebellion that began with "free love" expanded to the lust that resulted in homosexuality or "exchanging the natural function for that which is unnatural". And that acceptance and compromise we bought into has now grown into including transgenderism as a viable option for this generation.
Our hedge of protection has not only been removed, it's on the verge of being obliterated. We have not only rebelled against God's ways that afforded us 200 years of national blessings, we seem to have forgotten Him in the last 50 years! Our Judeo-Christian foundation has crumbled in favor of adopting pagan beliefs and traditions. Our unity in faith has resulted in apostasy and Cultural Christianity. I fear that the Bible no longer is the moral guide among those who call themselves "Christian"; they don't even know or read the Word! Ecumenicalism, or the theological idea that all religions are the same, and all Gods are the same, is also a rejection and rebellion against the One True God, as stated in the Bible.
I'm sorry to say that all this is leading to a conclusion that apostasy and lawlessness are quickly destroying our Christian footing in this nation. Charlie Kirk (an outspoken Christian activist) and Brian Thompson (CEO of United Healthcare) were murdered because someone disagreed with an opinion or were dissatisfied with the way a company conducted business. As true Christians, we deplore these heinous and evil acts, but our outrage hasn't changed the dark path our nation is descending upon. To me, it's pretty obvious that God has decidedly stepped back, removed the hedge of protection from our country, and allowing our rebellious natures to destroy this once great nation.
Just like it was in the days of Noah, we have reached a stage of unrepentant immorality and violence. We rightfully could ask how long before God's cup of wrath is full? Yet, we have Hope and a Promise! As the faithful remnant of this age, we have the glorious knowledge of understanding that Jesus is about to enter our realm from Heaven! As dark as this nation and the world are looking, we know that the Light of Heaven is about to shine upon us. All the pieces of God's eternal plan are falling into place and our nation will tremble at the Presence of our Creator. My spirit is fervently praying that my fellow citizens and brothers and sisters in Christ will count the cost of their rebellion and come to realize their sin is not worth losing eternity over.
Wake up, my nation! Return to your first Love, and once again become known as a Christian nation; a people after God's own heart! Repent, call out His Name, destroy the High Places where you have worshiped and sacrificed to false gods! Enter into Holy communion with Him who calls us to purity of heart and spirit. Let us rejoice once again in His favor and grace, as we disown all that is not of Him. Amen and Amen!
Jeremiah 18:7-8 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it.
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