« MSNBC's Chris Mathews Gets Another One Of Those "Thrills" | Main | the corner: Anti-Catholicism at The New Yorker? »

July 14, 2009

If Christians fail, America will also

Topics: Political News and commentaries
By Marie Jon, Renew America analyst

"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

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.