-By Marie Jon
“I recommend my soul to that Almighty Being who gave it, and my body I commit to the dust, relying upon the merits of Jesus Christ for a pardon of all my sins.” — From the will of Samuel Adams, forefather of the American Revolution and signer of the Declaration of Independence
Our Christian beliefs have been trampled upon to the point that they do not have the positive impact they should upon our nation or our personal lives. There are far too many Christians who are still drinking doctrinal “milk” and have remained spiritually immature. We live in a land where many Christians are biblically illiterate and prone to fall prey to every whim and foolish thought. God commands His servants to “study to show yourself approved before God” (2 Timothy 2:15).
All one has to do is listen to the George Noory show or Michael Medved’s “conspiracy day” on conservative talk radio to hear what professing Christians are embracing. It’s shocking and sad. What does light have to do with darkness?
“I [Jesus] have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46).
Need for spiritual rebirth
It seems that few within Christendom are truly “born again.” They do not seek the Lord to strengthen their lives; rather, they pick and choose from the doctrinal teachings of their denomination or church of the week. God is set aside in order to accommodate their own comfort zone. This is the church’s biggest spiritual dilemma, and if one reads the newspaper, the effects can be seen: We are reaping what we sow, and lawlessness abounds.
The evangelical mega-churches have become entertainment centers where God’s Word is lost amongst the contemporary music and the jokes that glibly roll off the tongues of pastors who appear to be auditioning for American Idol. These types of “bless me” churches appeal to people who want to feel good, while the church fills its coffers. Once again, the Lord and His Word are lost within the razzle-dazzle lights and pablum sermons.
Members of these churches do little when it comes to donating time to their communities. They are like gypsies who rush from one church to another.
Progressing downward
In retrospect, it is curious that the Obama administration swept into Washington with the blessings of two prominent pastors. One was straight, and the other a practicing homosexual. Pastor Rick Warren sparked a “culture war” as he stood side by side with Gene Robinson, the gay Episcopal minister who also delivered an inaugural invocation. It set the stage for America’s journey across treacherous “common ground.”
Our country is inundated with false notions about homosexuality. The consensus in America at one time appropriately considered it to be deviant behavior. In the early 1950s, the American Psychiatric Association took a sharp turn toward the dark side. This change was mainly due to Alfred Kinsey. (Click to view data)
As a result of allowing progressives to set the moral tone in America, we foolishly fell into having a debate about same-sex marriages and what is considered “hate speech.” If SB1234 becomes law, no pastor will be able to preach on the topic of homosexuality without the fear of prison. It’s already happening in Canada. What will happen when a denomination refuses to marry gay couples in their churches and is faced with a lawsuit? Elections have their consequences; they’re coming like a steamroller.
A time of harvest
Like many mega-church pastors, Rick Warren minimizes sin and judgment in order to appeal to those attending his Saddleback Church in Southern California. He has been accused of not strongly defending traditionalists and for allowing New Age teachings known as the Spiritual Formation Movement a foothold within his own church.
As members of the family of God, we should ask why some willfully ignore God’s Word and follow misguided, social-justice churches with pastors who delight in dredging up the past and conveniently forget the progress that has been achieved in America. Today, anyone can be what they want to be in America. When will we all learn to grow in loving stature and forgiveness, and not assail the Most Holy God? Bigotry and preaching separatism are sinful. Do you hear me, Rev. Jeremiah Wright?
A vibrant people of faith are active in doing good works for their fellow man out of love for the Savior. Christianity must go beyond feeding the poor. Our message must be absolutely clear when it comes to answering questions such as Does God exist and Who was Jesus? Christians must be prepared to give answers for their faith in order to help save souls.
“Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” (John 4:35)
Fruit of poor moral judgment
Do not be ill-prepared and taken by surprise. We are living in perilous times. The Book of Revelation is relevant today. I urge everyone to reread it.
In the Book of Revelation, we find a wonderful truth. Our Lord revealed to John a beautiful benefit of studying this book: “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 1-3).
We read in Revelation 2:23, “I will give unto every one of you according to your works.”
Throughout scripture, the Lord asks us to look after the needy as a matter of discipleship and compassion. The scriptures say not one thing about “spreading the wealth” or big government programs that entangle people in dependency. Socialism robs all people of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, not just the producers.
Since the President put his foot in the Oval Office, he has implemented a socialist agenda, contrary to sound moral judgment and good old common sense. Unfortunately, if Obama’s health care plan is implemented, we will all live to see the day when the elderly will be offered death sentences. Euthanasia will become the norm. Liberals have no problem with abortion, including the hideous late-term procedure.
Religious contrasts between conservatives and liberals
The agendas of the progressive left and its dominance have had an effect on our great nation’s morality. The result has been a decline in moral standards. With a Democratic House, Senate, and White House, there are few checks and balances. It is time for Americans to become aware of the contrary perspectives held by liberals and conservatives. A recent study highlighted many important differences:
Excerpts from The Christian Post: “Faith Beliefs of Conservatives, Liberals Differ Greatly” —
“Social, political conservatives differ significantly from liberals regarding religious beliefs, according to a new study that compared the two groups on more than a dozen religious beliefs.
“Liberals are dramatically less likely than conservatives to say they believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all of its teachings (27 percent vs. 63 percent, respectively), the survey conducted by The Barna Group found.
“Only about a third (38 percent) of liberals say their faith is becoming an increasingly important moral guide in their life. By comparison, 70 percent of conservatives say their faith is an important moral guide.
“Also fewer liberals than conservatives believe that a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by doing good deeds or being a good person (23 percent vs. 37 percent).
“George Barna, the study’s lead researcher, commented that liberals appear to place more emphasis on ‘self-reliance’ and ‘what they personally accomplish’ than on faith or participation in a faith community.
“‘They also seem less inclined to trust the Bible as a moral authority or source of truth, and have less involvement in some type of personal relationship with their god.’
“In contrast, Barna said conservatives are more active in religious behaviors.
“‘They are also more connected to their deity, seeing God as more personal, interactive and involved in their lives than do liberals,’ the researcher noted.
“A little more than half of liberals (54 percent) say their religious faith is very important in their life, compared to 82 percent of conservatives. The importance of faith in the life of a social or political liberal compared to a conservative can also be seen in the difference in church attendance and how they view it.
“Thirty-seven percent of liberals say the church they currently attend is very important in helping them find direction and fulfillment in life whereas 62 percent of conservatives say church is important as a guide in their life.
“In a typical week, conservatives are more likely than liberals to read the Bible other than at church (57 percent, vs. 33 percent); attend religious service (62 percent vs. 35 percent); pray to God other than at a religious service (91 percent vs. 76 percent); share their religious beliefs with others during the past year (56 percent vs. 39 percent, among born-again Christians for each group); and have participated in a short-term missions trip in the U.S. or in another country (12 percent vs. 6 percent).
“The survey also found those liberals are more likely than conservatives to develop their own set of religious beliefs rather than adopt those proposed by a church or other entity. More liberals than conservatives also said they are very open to adopting different moral views than the ones they currently have.” Full Article
The Rock of Christ
With the stark contrasts between progressives and conservatives, many cannot understand how extreme moral policies are accepted by those who call themselves Christians. There is little of what progressives embrace that is Christ-like or scriptural. To the progressive, a baby’s life, while in its mother’s womb, is cheap, same-sex “marriage” is acceptable, and children should be taught that the gay lifestyle is normal. When the Word of the Creator God is twisted and distorted, it leads to social degradation. We are already there.
Repeatedly, there comes a clarion call to spiritual revival and rededication to a loving God. America, it is the time to meet current conditions head-on, with faithful hearts, if we are serious about taking back our beloved country. If Christians fail, America will also.
“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).
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Song: YouTube — If My People Pray — Avalon
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Marie Jon is a political/religious-based writer. She is the founder of www.DrawingClose.org/ — a sister website to RenewAmerica. Marie extends her hand of welcome. Come visit her website and receive your free gift of salvation by taking an on line Bible study. She personally invites you to join Christians from all over the world by becoming a free member of GOD Fellowship http://www.gofellowship.com/. The site is a nondenominational gathering of believers.
Marie’s writings have appeared on many sites, including The New Media Journal, ChronWatch, and Commonconservative, to name a few. She is a regular columnist for Capitolhillcoffeehouse, The Daley Times Post, RenewAmerica, The Conservative Voice, Newsbull, GreatAmericanJournal.com, Radiofreewesthartford.com, Greatmindsthinkright.com and Conservativecrusader.com.
Marie brings a refreshing and spirited point of view that is reflected in her writings, as well as a genuine and spiritual opinion regarding God and his teachings. Marie is a practicing Christian, a nurse, a student of the Bible, and a patriot. Many of Marie’s articles are a reflection of her great admiration for those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is an advocate for the troops, as well as the Blue and Gold Star Mothers of America, and their families. Marie has appeared as a guest with political talk show host Bruce Elliott on WBAL-1090 AM. Saturdays 5AM-9AM EST http://www.wbal.com/shows/elliott/
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