It seems that a rather large rift exists between the way Americans perceive themselves, and how the rest of the world understand them to be. For the last 50 or so years America has been the dominant player on the world stage. Their leadership has helped to shape the thinking of countless millions who see the U.S. as the land of promise and endless opportunities.
While there is much truth in that statement, sadly, America has also become an net exporter of much filth and immorality.
While we have become used to the ever numbing influence of Hollywood and it's charge down the hellish abyss, people from other countries have been deeply shocked and disgusted. Now of course the Europeans exceed even Americans in depravity, but that is another story.
There is much to be said for first impressions; when missionaries travel to other lands and bring the good news of Christ, these people are drawn to us and what we have to offer. However, if their first impression is through exposure to filthy movies and corrupt business dealings, they soon come to think that all Americans are like this.
Jesus said that a city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Similarly, the U.S. has been blessed with the opportunity to take the gospel into all the world.
But somewhere along the way, we Christians became obsessed with the pleasures of a hedonistic culture and compromised our love for God and the purity of His Word by embracing the "culture" of a secular society. Just because it is American does not make it any better than the ideology that Islamic fascists are promoting. We must realize that sin by any name is a detriment to our spiritual health and the stability and longevity of the nation.
America has become a society addicted to sinful pleasures and the life of ease. It will catch up eventually and the results will not be pretty. Let us pray that God will move in our midst to draw His people out of the mixture of a carnal christianity into the purity of a Christ centered life.
17 comments:
It will catch up eventually and the results will not be pretty.
It already has.
Often we hear that if people are not repentant then God is going to visit America with judgment. Or that if the church doesn't change her ways, it will face God's judgment. Or many other variations on this theme...
The truth is, judgment is already here, that is why we see what we do.
When God speaks of judgment, often it is not that God will lay His hand on us, but take it off us. He will leave us to our own, depraved devices. The restraining power of God's grace is being lifted and man is being left to himself (a temporal fulfillment, a parallel of what we see in Romans 1:18-32).
Jim, judgment is here, the wrath of God is being incrementally revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold down, or suppress, the truth with their unrighteousness...
It is not that these vile things are bringing God's wrath, it is that these things are a sign of God's wrath...
I am not American and have never been to America. I have no idea whether it is as bad as you say.
I cannot see that the USA is any worse than Britain.
But why focus on the negative? Why not talk about all the wonderfuk things you could say about the USA?
Are there not enougth people in the world attacking the USA without us non-American Christians joining in?
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
JD, I think incrementally is the key word. We become accustomed to the increased violence, wickedness, and natural calamaties that we fail to see the hand of God in the midst of it all.
I agree with you on the relevance of Rom. 1 and that the wrath of God is being revealed.
Praise the Lord He is slow to anger!
Matthew, I think you would fit the sterotypical mould of a non-American who sees only roses about the U.S.
Yes, America is the richest, greatest country in the world today. They have been blessed with so much abundance it is staggering at times.
However, scripture is very clear that a crown does not endure to all generations. Righteousness exalts a nation, not capitalism, free market economies, or democracy. Failure to be righteous will cause a loss of stature amongst the world nations.
Even king David had his detractors, but he recognized God's hand and appealed to His mercy.
May God continue to bless the U.S.A. with grace and mercy.
No, I am sure that there are a lot of things wrong with the USA.
But I see little point in spending much time pointing them out.
Are there not already plenty of prophets proclaiming doom upon America?
Matthew,
If righteousness truly exalts a nation, then America has a rich history of godly people. Indeed many anointed men and women of God have made great impacts for the kingdom of God.
As Christians, our primary job is to be a witness as salt and light to a lost and dying world. This includes preaching the gospel and speaking for Christ when the moments present themselves.
Social activism, political posturing, and the likes are not our main focus. These things should be impacted by the righteousness of a godly people.
However, we are to exhort and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters to live godly and soberly in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. When we see them becoming ensnared in the same sinfuls pursuits as the world, we must not remain silent but speak out.
That is the thrust of my concern; too many dear children of God have left their first love and are following hard after the world and its pleasures.
I am not endorsing legalism or acestism, but rather we must begin to separate ourselves from those things that stain and dull the light of Christ in our lives.
To that end, no, their are not enough prophets warning God's people to flee from youthful lusts.
God bless you brother,
Jim
It is time for those of us who are Christian Americans to increase our influence by focusing on Christ and stopping the incessant "behavioral control" we seem so caught up in.
We must also get involved in the process of selecting our leaders if we want them to lead us in the right direction as a country.
Joe, I believe if we are to elect leaders, the number one criteria should be a moral backbone and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
God bless,
Jim
Some Christians are Socialists, believe it or not.
No way would I vote for a Socialist even if He did have faith in Christ.
God Bless
Matthew
Yes, that is a good point Matthew.
However, I have noticed that most "socialist" christians support abortion and similar immoral activities.
Good thoughts, Jim...
I'm going to vote for the wright in candidate in the election for Governor coming up in my state (Ilinois) for the first time because I'm so disgusted with the options...
I think Creationism getting even a small but sturdy foothold in our culture would make a big difference in our logic. It hingk the pendulum would have to move back a bit. GO Ken!
God bless.
Jodie
Hi Jodie, yes I think we as believers must put moral issues ahead of economics and foreign policy.
Let us elect leaders who will stand for godliness and moral integrity.
Just the other day someone on my blog reprimanded me for being a Missionary Kid and speaking out against filthy music. But he did not understand that I lived in Hong Kong and I saw how our culture was eroding theirs as they as a nation try to be more like us. The filthy music and entertainment was over there as well ruining their minds and hearts while we at the same time were trying to make believers and disciples the old fashioned way according to the Bible. Our mission board was Independent and Fundamental. The other mission boards were more busy trying to redeem culture instead of souls. Not only has America lost its way but American Churches have as well.
Brian, I know of two missionary couples we support that have had the same problems. The young people have become corrupted through western movies and began to imitate the immoral lifestyles.
It was an utter frustration to them trying to teach the word of God.
Jim,
I'm going to have to agree with you. We've got the money god here. I'm sure you've got him up there as well, but ours is bigger, wrecks a little more havoc and requires a little more denial.
Hi Todd, thanks for stopping by.
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