December 2009
(Second In Series on “What God is Saying to America in 2010”)
Until we realize the truism of the saying of the cartoon philosopher, Pogo—“We have met the enemy and they is us”—we’ll continue down the sure path toward destruction.
Contrary to what modern revisionists of history are saying, America was begun as a Christian nation. The first wave of settlers who braved the wild seas to come to this new land were primarily Separatists who were fleeing religious persecution in England.
Assuredly, there were those enterprising individuals who were looking to strike it rich in this vast land of seemingly unlimited natural resources. However, the majority saw themselves on a Divinely-ordained Mission to establish places of refuge from the tyranny of the organized church.
Yet, it didn’t take long to realize that, like Noah and his family on the ark, sin came with them—for it is an integral part of every one of us.
Just as Noah. . .who “was a just man and spiritually mature in his generation, walked with God and found Grace in the eyes of God” (Genesis 6:8-9). . .left himself exposed in a drunken stupor after the Flood and then cursed the lineage of his own son, Ham, for telling his brothers (Gen. 9:20-27). . .so did those early pilgrims soon demonstrate the evils of a sinful nature.
The Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 quickly revealed this truth. Although less than 20 were actually executed in those kangaroo courts, some 75 were imprisoned during the 10 months’ hysteria that began with a few teenage girls being entertained by black magic from an imported servant girl.
Likewise, the infamous public humiliations of those accused of adultery (mostly women) by placing them in stocks in the village square with a large, scarlet “A” around their necks, further demonstrated our insatiable “National Enquirer” thirst for salacious sins and hypocritical pride. And, sadly, this was all done in the name of religion and God.
Is it any wonder so many folks are turned off to “religion,” the Bible, the church, God, etc.? Who has not heard the objection “Why should I go down there to your church when there’s nothing but a bunch of hypocrites that go there? They get up in the choir on Sunday and sing like an angel, but during the week they act like the devil himself!”
Piercing indictment. And, sadly, one filled with much truth.
Thus, the Judgment that’s coming to America is not because of the “pagans” or “heathen,” who care naught for the things of God. It’s because of the sins of those who profess to know Him and are “called by His Name” (I Peter 4:17).
While it’s true every church is made up of hypocrites—those who profess to be something they’re not—the fact remains that every one of us are hypocrites. None of us can perfectly “tow the mark” or “hit the bull’s eye” every time (Romans 3:23; Jeremiah 17:9).
Yet, that is still not a license to sin (Rom. 6:1-2, 15).
The Lord God is a holy God and calls His People to live holy lives (Leviticus 11:44; I Pet. 1:16). He has commanded those who believe in Him to “not be conformed (fit into the mold or act as a chameleon) to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of their minds so they can demonstrate what is His good, acceptable and perfect Will” (Rom. 12:1-2).
Thus, when a person calls him/herself a “Christian”—which means “little Christ” and professes to be Jesus’ follower or disciple—he should follow in His footsteps. Simply put, when others look at a professing Christian, they should be able to readily notice a difference in his/her life and a resemblance to the One by Whose Name they are called.
Therefore, the Lord God is calling His People. . .“who are called by His Name to humble themselves, pray, passionately seek His Face and repent” during 2010 (II Chronicles 7:14). This goes for both the pulpit and the pew.
Pastor/preachers/teachers (including yours truly) should examine their own lives and repent of sinful attitudes of pride, a critical spirit, etc., and secret sins of “the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life” (I John 2:16). Likewise, those who sit on the pew should also repent of the same and submit to the Holy Spirit’s examination and correction (Psalm 139:23-24). Failure to do so has dire, eternal consequences (Matthew 7:21-23).
This will not happen without brokenhearted contrition over our waywardness and how we’ve grieved God’s Holy Heart (Ps. 51). Yes, what we need is an old-fashioned, Holy Ghost, weeping revival where we cry out “O Lord, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
