Is America the Second Promised Land?

Russell Moore, in his book "Onward:  Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel", writes "from the beginning, Christian values were always more popular in American culture than the Christian gospel.  That's why one could speak of "God and country" with great reception in almost any era of the nation's history but would create cultural distance as soon as one mentioned "Christ and him crucified." (page 6)

It has become increasingly obvious that even Christian values are no longer held as something the American culture aspires to.  There is an ongoing widening of a chasm between the culture of America and the basic social beliefs of the Church.  A line has been drawn.  Does that mean the American church is quickly becoming a church of the past and that God has given up on her?   Maybe, but is that all bad?

Moore also writes "the church has an opportunity now to reclaim our witness, as those who confess that we are "strangers and exiles on earth (Hebrews 11:13).  This strangeness starts in what is the most important thing that differentiates us from the rest of the world:  the gospel." (page 7)

Our being different from our surrounding culture should not be based on our political differences or even our moral stance.  It might be possible that we could convince America to once again return to the moral principles found in the Scriptures upon which she once stood, although I am not convinced that is what we really need.  What we really need is people to turn, not to good morals, but to the recognition of our sins and the grace of God's salvation through blood of Jesus Christ.  What should make us different is the gospel.

So What's the Difference?

David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons write in their book titled "Unchristian" the following:  "When asked to identify their activities over the last thirty days, born-again believers were just as likely to bet or gamble, to visit a pornographic website, to take something that did not belong to them, to consult a medium or psychic, to physically fight or abuse someone, to have consumed enough alcohol to be considered legally drunk, to have used an illegal, nonprescription drug, to have said something to someone that was not true, to have gotten back at someone for something he or she did, and to have said mean things behind another person's back."

So what is the difference?  How is the Christian any different than the pagan? Well, the obvious answer is that the Christians are saved by the grace of God. I obviously do not question that, and praise God for it!  But should there not be a difference in the lifestyles of Christians from those of the pagan?  That really is more of a rhetorical question.  You already know the answer, or at least you should.

The Apostle Paul says in Romans 6:1-2 ... What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?  By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

We have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.  Nothing can overcome that power.  Not one sin habit is stronger.  So why do we continue to live like the pagan?  Because that is what we choose to do.  We would rather do what we want to do than what Christ wants us to do.  And yet Jesus says in John 14:15 ... If you love me, you will obey what I command.  It appears that we love ourselves more than we love Christ.

2 Timothy 3:1-5a records ... But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.  

We need to Power up!  We need to submit to the Holy Spirit and allow him to make us different!

Tickle Their Ears

The Barna Research Group surveyed American’s attitudes toward ten moral behaviors, and found that 60 percent consider it acceptable for unmarried people to cohabit. Fifty-nine percent believe sexual fantasizing is appropriate. Nearly half (45 percent) consider abortion acceptable, and 42 percent approve of extramarital sex. Thirty-eight percent approve of pornography, and 30 percent find homosexuality acceptable ("Morality Continues to Decay," November 3, 2003).

Whether you attend church or not, you surely understand that the church’s influence on the moral fabric of our culture has been of extreme benefit in the past.  In fact, if you were to do a study on early government policies and papers, you would see that they were heavily laced with Christian morals and ethics.  I am afraid that is not necessarily so today.  The truth is that the decline of Christian influence is directly proportionate to the increase in the level of immorality in our country.

You cannot legislate morality.  It has to come from the heart and soul of people.  And if the very entity that teaches and instills morality is in decline, it only makes sense that morality itself would also be in decline.  You do not have to look far to see the results!  Seventy-plus years old men who are shooting their ex-wives is an indicator.  Young students bringing guns to school to shoot someone because they made fun of them is another. 

What is it going to take to turn our country around?  The answer is simple, a return to that which taught and upheld morality and good ethics … the church.  But not only should people be returning to what upholds good morality, but the churches themselves need to return to the Word of God that teaches such behavior.  It just might be that the exodus of people from organized Christianity is more the church’s fault than the people’s.  Maybe they were more wise than us.  Maybe they saw that the church had left their first love in order to tickle the ears of the people.  So my plea is twofold:   Brothers and sisters in Christ … Return to what this great nation was first built on … Christian morals found in God’s word.  2 Chronicles 7:14 states it this way … “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

My second plea is for those who are searching for a place to learn the standard of good moral behavior to check out God's Word.  Hopefully you will find what you are looking for there.

"Grace, Grace, God's Grace"

"Author Steve Brown says that some people think legalistic churches are as bad as grace-oriented churches.  As he put it, they are no more alike than saying a taxidermist is like a veterinarian.  Some would claim, "Well, either way you get your dog back!"  True, but one of them collects dust and never moves.  The other one is busy and barking and eating and jumping ... he's alive!  He's the real thing! The point?  Let's choose to be veterinarians.  Let's determine that our churches will be places of grace.  A church of grace is alive, anticipating God's work, willing to risk, free of judgmentalism ... but  make no mistake ... they're not free from holiness." (Charles Stanley ... Church Awakening ... page 85)

Years ago, when I was still doing youth ministry, we had a young lady from another congregation who started attending our youth group.  We were obviously glad to have her join us but I did wonder why.  So, the first opportunity I had, I asked her why she left the other group and joined ours.  Her answer was discouraging!  She said that during the morning worship at the previous church two young men came forward to give their lives to Christ.  The preacher told them to go home and get a haircut and then they would talk about salvation.  I wonder how many people are left in their chains of sin and destined for Hell because of legalistic attitudes.

This past Sunday we had a young man come forward 'to find God again' (his words).  He had been dealing with a drug addiction and had tried to commit suicide just two days previous.  He stood before our church family and the family cried.  Grace flowed down from God through our people. That is what church is ... a funnel of grace!

Please do not misunderstand me ... I am not promoting antinomianism (anything goes).  There is accountability and holiness that needs to be a part of the equation .... not for salvation's sake, but out of gratitude for the grace God has so blessed us with.  Nevertheless, a church without grace is no more than a taxidermist ... removing the heart and stuffing people full of religious law.  The church is a place of healing ... a place where the 'ointment of grace' is applied.  Praise God for His grace!

Matthew 9:12-13 ... On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

They Got It Wrong

"If the Bible is not inspired, then it is not authoritative.  And if it is not authoritative, then its commands are mere suggestions on par with every other book of morals.  Furthermore, what it says about God is only as valid as any other religion's so-called holy writings.  See the problem?  With no inspired text, our guide then becomes our feelings.  It's the same slick lie Satan whispered in Eve's ear in the garden.  And that deception destroyed the spiritual lives of the whole human race." (Charles Stanley ... The Church Awakening, page 102)

In the light of what was decided by our Supreme Court just a couple of weeks ago concerning the issue of gay marriage, it has become more than obvious that the Bible is no longer seen as an inspired word of God by the nation whose foundation was built on the content of that very Word.

George Washington once said "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible." He is correct ... decisions made contrary to the Bible is not rightfully governing a nation.  My fear is that this nation will reap the consequences of deliberate disobedience.  And we all will suffer.

That having been said, what do we do as Christians in the face of the current situation?  We stand firm on our beliefs that the Bible is the inspired word of God and we will live by its teachings.  That does not mean that we become belligerent toward the gay community.  We are to love them in the same way that Christ loved us 'while we were yet sinners.'  We can love the sinners without embracing the sin.  That is exactly what Christ has done and still does.  None of us would be found righteous in God's eyes if it were not for that grace Christ showed on the cross!  "We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).  Praise God for his grace and praise Jesus for imputing his righteousness upon us!

But our responsibility does not stop with loving the sinner.  We also need to humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness in our own lives and then pray for our country.  Listen to the promise that God makes in his inspired word ... "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

God we pray for forgiveness of the sins in our lives ... and we pray for healing of our land!

We are at War!

"Christian service means invading a battleground, not a playground; and you and I are the weapons God uses to attack and defeat the enemy.  When God used Moses' rod, He needed Moses' hand to lift it.  When God used David's sling, He needed David's hand to swing it.  When God builds a ministry, He needs somebody's surrendered body to get the job done." (Warren W. Wiersbe ... quoted in "The Church Awakening" by Charles Swindoll)

This past Saturday night we had a wind storm pass through that left tree limbs scattered everywhere. The following morning at church service several said they slept right through the storm and had no idea it was going on.  I am concerned that this is descriptive of what much of the Church is doing today. They are sleeping right through the storm.  We see the church being ridiculed and mocked. We see the powers of this world attacking her as if she is powerless.  Even though the church is the most powerful entity on earth, her members seem to be asleep while the battle rages.  And even if they are not asleep ... they certainly seem as if this is a game played on the playground rather than a battle with eternal consequences. The fact is, all of us could be more prepared for the war.

The Apostle Paul tells us how in the following passage:  EPHESIANS 6:10-18 NIV ... Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 

Disappointing!

Occasionally, people you hold up in high esteem disappoint you.  Such has just happened to me.  I have always appreciated what Tony Compolo has had to say.  I have even quoted him recently in a sermon.  But this past week has been a disappointment.

According to two different articles (Denison Forum & AlbertMohler.com) shared with me, Tony has caved.  His wife has been a proponent of considering gay marriages and relationships as something normal and should be accepted by the Church as consistent with God's desires.  He yielded to temptation and sided with her on the issue.  But he is wrong.

Al Mohler says it well when he suggests that no where in the Bible does it encourage homosexuality.  In fact, any time it is mentioned it is condemned.

1 Timothy 1:10 NIV puts it this way ... for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers ... and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine".  The point here is that homosexuality is contrary to sound doctrine (as well as the other sin habits mentioned).   

Romans 1:24-27 NIV uses words like "shameful lusts", "depraved minds", "unnatural", "indecent acts", and "perversion" when referring to homosexuality.  There is nothing in these descriptions that would suggest that it it consistent with the desires of God.  In fact, quite the opposite.  

Sorry Tony!  As much as I have appreciated much of what you have had to say, you missed it on this one.

Having said all this I must continue.  Even though the Church must not accept perversion as normal and acceptable, we are to love those who commit the perversion.  Most commonly put, 'we hate the sin but love the sinner'.  That is especially significant since we have all sinned (Romans 3:23).  But just because we all have sinned does not mean that we should become compliant with sin.  It simply means that as Christ followers who love others, we must expose the sin and restore the sinner! 

Are You Tolerant?

"Secularization theology has taught us to be 'tolerant' of the world system ... to be more accepting and understanding ... and not bigoted.  G. K. Chesterton says it well: "tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions."  It is easier to claim tolerance and straddle the fence than to choose sides. ... But tolerance makes no impact for the kingdom of God." (Charles Swindoll, The Church Awakening, page 170).

In the name of 'tolerance', do we fail to stand firm for the sake of Jesus Christ?  I find it is much easier to be politically correct than to stand unwavering for our Lord.  And even though the world tells us that our 'intolerance' is unacceptable ... Christ tells us to be faithful to his truth.

Matthew 7:13-14 ... “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

Like it or not, the way of salvation is not all inclusive.  Some will be excluded.  Tolerant or not, that is reality.