How would you go about explaining the mess we are in as a country? When you look at the myriad of problems America faces, from economics to immorality, from materialism to cultural decay, from a major shift toward socialism and a centralized big government to mediocrity in education, activist judges and systematic secularism—who is responsible for all of these problems?
Is it the Democrats, Republicans, or the Independents who are responsible? Is it the liberals, the conservatives or the fundamentalists who are to blame?
If we are looking for someone to unload on, may I remind you President George Bush is not in office!
A lot of the blame for these failures has to be the Church. I am speaking not of denominations, but of all Christians who make up the church. God sent His Son to redeem individuals and place them in a local church, with His last commission to go and make disciples (Matt 28:19-20). Jesus knew that transformed people, believers, would change the society. Believers will reform, invigorate and overcome the slide and decay of sin that is a natural part of our world. Redeemed people always make a difference!
Perhaps the reason society is the way it is, in my opinion, goes back to the loss of vision of God’s people. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” The New Living Bible renders this verse, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.”
How did we come to this point in history as God’s people? History tells us that starting in the 1920’s and 1930’s, a fundamentalism swept across America. They believed they should separate from the world—hence the terms, sacred and secular. Since people are the most important part of society, they should win people to Christ, but not get involved in art, media, law, politics, government or schools and education etc. So all these areas were left in the hands of non-believers.
Do you remember what Thomas Jefferson wrote when he warned, “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”?
We are ignorant of our calling by God, our history, and even what the Bible teaches about how to live in a sin-cursed world.
If I had time, I would develop the secularization of our public schools. You can’t have an atheistic worldview and expect students to come out moral adults. Young people know more about what is politically correct than they know any of the Ten Commandments. Also, if I had time, I would write at length about the growing expanse of our government at the expense of our liberties. The man who gave us the great book, Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton, wrote, “Once abolish the God, and the government becomes the God.”
When our country was formed, the number one and number two books that helped people were The Bible and The New England Primer (1777). Parents, teachers, and pastors used the books to educate the children learning to read. What did they learn as they began their reading and education? “Pray to God. Call no ill names. Love God. Use no ill words. Fear God. Tell no lies. Serve God. Hate lies. Speak the truth. Take not God’s name in vain. Spend your time well. Do not swear. Love your school. Do not steal. Mind your book. Cheat not in your play. Strive to learn. Play not with bad boys. Be not a dunce.”
This was a lesson for children. Some people will say, “Who cares?” “What’s the big deal about God and morality?”” That is the right question, “Who cares?”
It would be easy as Christians to protest and say, “It is too late!” Let’s just leave and go to another place—avoid the pain. Some like John MacArthur say God has us under judgment. I don’t disagree.
But can we turn the tide of secularism inside our country and a threat of Islam from outside? I believe so with all my heart.
What is needed is radical discipleship to Jesus Christ and to His Church. Bible reading, prayer, witnessing, sacrifice are not just for Pastors and leaders. Each person who says Christ is their Savior is a part of the solution.
When we learn what discipleship is, and the worldview that is a part of it, the world will change because we have changed.
Recommendations:
1. Be part of a home Bible study. Use The Truth Project and commit to prayer, study, and obedience for 13 weeks.
2. Pray for fruit in your witness and evangelism of the lost. Ask God for 10 non-Christians and then pray for them, invite them to coffee or tea and share your testimony of God’s transformation in your life.
3. Remind yourself daily that both Christians and Patriots gave their life for what they believed was true freedom and liberty. Freedom is a precious endowment and requires careful stewardship.
4. Lastly, I recommend you choose one of these books to have your eyes opened and your heart pricked:
· Total Truth, by Nancy Pearcey
· Battle for Truth, by David Noebel
· The Bible—I’m not joking. You can read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in three months, six months or a year. Check out “You Version” on the internet, iPhone app, or go to a Christian bookstore for many plans.
Dr. Adrian Rogers, a great Southern Baptist pastor and now with the Lord, used to say about how difficult and sad the world mess is, “When the night grows darkest, the stars shine the brightest.”
I am only one disciple, but I love Jesus and I’m out to change the world for Him! How about you? Take the four challenges above and we will, by God’s grace, change our world for the glory of God and all our benefit.
We believe in redemption! Let’s get busy!
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