The truth is that, no matter which side of the aisle you find yourself on, we as a people, increasingly don't trust those who govern us... or each other. I believe what has contributed to this division is that we have traded worship of our Holy God for the worship of a false god of politics. Too many, on either side, have put their trust and hope in people who pursue perversion, personal gain, and war. That being said, there is a spark of divine hope that is beginning to ignite a flame of Liberty, and bring us together [once again] as unified citizens, and I pray we fan that flame so that our nation can be redeemed for the Lord.
But as we have seen throughout the history of mankind, we have a spiritual Enemy that promotes his agenda, tempting those who seek to separate themselves from their Creator, and resulting in God turning the rebellious over to reprobate minds. But first, let us properly understand what Romans 1:28 tells us: And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient [what ought not to be done]. That word, reprobate, comes from the Greek word Adôkimôs, which means "unapproved; rejected; worthless". Other meanings that have been attributed to it in our modern English are "morally depraved; unprincipled; bad". Ultimately, a reprobate mind is one that is given over to irrational thoughts and actions that are destructive not only to themselves, but to people around them.
Additionally, it is important to note that it is God who gives them over to what they desire! This is a dangerous position to be in, yet time and again, the history of man has shown us that people have rejected their knowledge of God [who is Truth] in favor of succumbing to the tempting lies of Satan [for their own benefit]. They know the truth, but they willingly reject it. And God, in His sovereignty, casts them away, allowing them to reap the consequences of their choice to sin. We see it in the opening chapters of Genesis, and throughout the Bible, even to the closing chapters in Revelation -- from Abel, to the wicked kings of Israel, to those who, at the return of Christ, will still choose to side with Evil. It is important to recognize that although God gives these people over to their reprobate minds, He is not choosing to send them to hell -- they are sending themselves.
That's why it's important to recognize what is at the root of our national division. And let me be clear, I do not wish to condemn my fellow citizens with whom I disagree. On the contrary, it is my prayer that they recognize the lies they are believing and end their separation and isolation from God and His Truth. Let the scales fall from their eyes, and their hearts be transformed from stone to flesh! And remember, the consequences of the lies and idols they've chosen to put their faith in are not a foregone conclusion! The Good News of Jesus Christ is their hope to escape the repercussions of their false ideology. We must continue to pray for our country!
Right now, I can see evidence of outbreaks of Revival in the souls of Christians across the land; just as I see strongholds of Rebellion rising up in response. We are definitely in a battle for the Spirit of this nation! So many are still blinded to their stubborness and pride. They certainly don't have a lack of information nor do they lack evidence that God is real, yet they will still choose to rebel and reject Him. And that inevitably results in God turning them over to their godless desires, and they will be declared unapproved, rejected, and worthless in the Kingdom of God.
So, how do we change the hearts and minds of our determinedly rebellious fellow citizens? Why are we Christians not able to turn the spiritual environment of our country around? In September, 2020, Evangelical Pastor Franklin Graham and Messianic Pastor Jonathan Cahn held an event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., called "The Return". Tens of thousands attended and prayed for the spiritual and moral state of our country. Hopeful Christians declared that the fire of Revival would soon sweep our land. Millions of Americans were aware of 2 Chronicles 7:14, commanding us to humble ourselves, pray and seek the Lord's face, and turn from our wicked ways, which I have no doubt that millions were doing. Yet, here we are four years later, and we are stunned by the complicit actions of evil people to topple our nation.
What is the answer? I deeply believe that God hears our prayers. I know there are God-centered Churches, yet I am also well aware that far too many churches are filled with golden calves, and God and the Holy Spirit have left those buildings. What are we doing wrong? Are we truly walking in His ways, or has the institution we call "the Church" bowed down to the culture and been led into deep-seated idolatry by following man's selfish heart? It's hard to ignore the warning God gives to the prophet Ezekiel regarding the nation of Israel, His chosen nation .... Israel rebelled against Him; they did not walk in His statutes, nor were they careful to observe His ordinances, which, if a man keeps, he will live; they profaned His Sabbaths and set their eyes on the man-made idols of their fathers (Ezekiel 20:21-24). Even though God withdrew His hand from executing His wrath against them, they continued to rebel.
He has done the same for us; He established this nation, delivering us into the freedom and liberty of self-determination, blessing this nation for its faithfulness, and showing the pagan nations how He rewards a country that is willing to follow His statutes and ordinances. But we have responded the same way ancient Israel did; profaning His Sabbaths by subscribing to the unholy ordinances of the culture. And what exactly does God command from us? It is really very simple. He tells us in Matthew 28 ... Go and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you.
But in order to teach and share what we've learned about Him and how to observe everything that He commands of us, we have to study His Word, first and foremost. Everything we need to know to receive God's blessings begins with His Word. But how many people have truly studied the Word? Instead, how many rely on their religious leaders [or better yet, those who proclaim themselves to be mouthpieces for God] to receive their knowledge of the Lord? I am not denying that there are Godly men and women that fulfill the requirement of accurately teaching God's laws and ordinances. But we have become a society fueled by self-promotion and vanity. Jesus never called for the proliferation of self-contained buildings of worshippers, or non-profit organizations to represent Him. He and the Father have always wanted personal relationships. Yes, we can gather together to worship Him, but it should always be with the intent of nurturing and maturing followers in their faith so that they might help others to learn of Him, believe in Him, and obey His words.
So, in conclusion, we stand at a crossroads. I'm celebrating the new winds of patriotism, restoration, and seeking God's will for this nation. And at the same time, I am actively involved in the spiritual war to return this nation to God's agenda and His biblical statutes. If we are truly going to humble ourselves and seek His face, we need to pray and turn from our unbiblical acceptance of abortion, homosexuality, moral and spiritual debasement, pagan holidays and beliefs, and entrenched man-made doctrines that keep us separated from the true, personal intimacy that God desires with us. I know that sounds harsh, and again, I am not speaking out of condemnation, but out of love -- for I know the heart of God for all His creation. He doesn't want to lose anyone, and as an ambassador for His Kingdom, neither do I! We must not rely on [or trust in] the stature of our religious institutions while not demanding true justice for the poor, nor caring for those members of our society that are hungry, homeless, and deprived.
For far too long, we have hidden behind a corrupted image as a God-fearing nation. That very Mall in our national capitol is supposed to showcase our monuments that bear the Name of God. Yet the Supreme Court [whose carvings of the Ten Commandments adorn its structure] sanctions abortion, the corruption of our children's sexual identity, and banning God and the Bible in our classrooms. As citizens of Heaven on earth, and representatives of God's Kingdom to our fellow men, we are all accountable to Almighty God for walking truthfully in His ways. Do you know the message of what Jesus has commissioned us to share? Are you willing to search the Scriptures to fulfill your purpose here on earth?
While the upcoming election is an important event for our nation -- and it appears to be free-falling on the Democratic side -- we must not lose sight of the fact that the Enemy will be working his power agenda to control the hearts of men. Do you know where your power comes from? Do you know the authority you possess from your Savior? There's no doubt these election results will have momentous consequences over the future of our nation. Yes, we hope our nation turns its attention and focus back to pleasing God instead of our own pride, power and greed. But I hope you hear this last admonition ... it's time for every person in America to write God's laws on their heart, break the bonds of our false idol worship, learn to love and support our neighbor, and repent for the ways we have sinned against Him. It's time we raise new generations who will walk in His Light and Glory. Contemplate the following verses and pray that we can accomplish what God asks of us!
Jeremiah 7:5-7. For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.
