STORM2K

With everything that's going on in the US right now, these are some pretty profound words IMHO!!

Is America Good?


The LORD passes judgment on the nations (Psalm 7:8, NLT).


Dear friends:

In the 1830's, French diplomat Alexis de Tocqueville toured America, seeking for the secret of her greatness. Upon his return to France, he made this profound and oft-quoted observation:

"I sought for the key to the greatness of America in her harbors . . .; in her fertile fields and boundless forests; in her rich mines and vast world commerce; in her public school system and institutions of learning. I sought for it in her democratic Congress and in her matchless Constitution. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

Has America ceased being "good." Is America ceasing to be great?

America has been greatly blessed by God. In spite of our faults, and they are many, we are the most blessed, the most powerful and the most free nation in all of history.

But we are also the chief exporter of pornography in the world, via videos, satellites and the Internet. With our own government's sanction, we have murdered over 40 million unborn babies. Our Supreme Court has declared God unconstitutional. We are among the world leaders in violent crime. Our rates of teenage pregnancy, teenage suicide, drug addition and pregnancies out of wedlock have exploded. Immorality has reached to the high offices in the land.

In God's eyes, as a nation we have broken His laws and have sinned grievously in His sight. Of course, millions have Christ's imputed righteousness, reminding us of God's offer not to destroy Sodom if only a few righteous could be found (Genesis 18). But many wonder how much longer God can bless us a nation.

God's severe chastisement of our nation may be imminent, unless we meet his conditions. He has done it before. Abraham Lincoln believed that God used the Civil War to chasten the nation because of its sin of institutionalized slavery. What will He eventually do because of institutionalized abortion and other modern sins, the greatest of which is the rejection of His Son?

How can America be pleasing to Almighty God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth?

I have thought that the way to turn the nation around is not by changing laws but by changing hearts. There will always be evil in the world, even more evil than good. I don't believe that America is a special nation with a special destiny. I do believe that there are a lot of good, godly people in America. What they need to do is start living their lives as they should, rejecting the worldliness, being an example, and winning people over one at a time. The good or the evil goes from the bottom up, not from the top down. I feel that many christians are misguided by concentrating on the laws, the supreme court, even the president. So what if abortion is legal, if people are living righteously and the demand for abortion diminishes? You change the country by inspiring people to want to live right, not by making their behavior illegal. Christians have gotten soft and lazy. I think that it's easier for people to sign petitions, form political action committees, make contributions to bloated ministries, build huge elaborate church buildings, and make a lot of noise than it is to give up their questionable behavior, live modestly, engage with people that are "lost," and BE an example. The christians need to get over their judgemental attitude, sacrifice, and show the love and committment that they are called to do. THAT'S how the nation will be turned around.

BRAVO Ed!! You hit the nail on the head, Christians HAVE indeed become lazy, too soft! I have neighbors that "Proclaim" to be Servants of God, they are the MOST hypocritical people I've EVER met. They moved here 2 years ago from Chandler Az......they wanted to find a new church, we invited to go with us one Sunday, after services, they said, "Well, it's not what we're looking for, I don't like be preached AT!" There's a Baptist church here in town, Pinetop BC.......it's the kind of church that people who want to be "seen" go, very GOOD people on Sunday Morning, after services, it's back to drinkin', smokin', cheatin' on their spouses etc. The neighbors tried THAT church, said "No, IT'S not our kind of church"....they run down the church, call people that attend names etc. and now, their daughter seems to be in some kind of trouble, the youth pastor has taken her under his wing and is counseling her, now that this has happened, they're BACK at that church, playing the "Good Christian", chastising ME for NOT going to church over the past 4 months.

All I know is that I read the book and I know how it ENDS!

Dennis

I live by the standard of "paying it forward." If you live by the right rules, those of the heart and spirit, and act on those rather than anger, frustration, and hate, you can change the spirit of others in positive ways. Ed, you are so right in your words...that we can change things permanently only through the heart, not through the politics or official actions. I'm with you on this one.

Sometimes, I feel very alone, standing up quietly against what the Episcopal Church did in 2002...but if none stand against apostasy, tomorrow's church leaders won't know any better, having heard but one voice (that of the General Convocation, rather than the Word, and what it clearly denounces).

As a Christian of the English Communion, (just as any Christian of any faith), I will have to answer for my stewardship while yet here...and it is not mine to accuse, or attack, but to pray and be a silent witness (embarrassing to the Bishop, and those who supported this) to His Truth.

Last month, I quietly handed the Bishop a large font question, in a plain envelope..."Are you Apostolic, or Apostate?"; he looked at me as though I had beamed down from another planet, said nothing, and hid himself within the church crowd...sad it is, that he couldn't "belly up" to discuss these matters with one of his extended flock.