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This World is not our Home

A strange thing is going on in America today. It has been for some time. The shift is more noticeable now. According to a recent Pew Research Center report, "America's Changing Religious Landscape", church attendance is declining by more than 1 percent a year. While most Americans were once willing to be called Christian, the label has lost its appeal. We are strangers in a peculiar world!

Glenn Beck wrote,

Why would you call yourself Christian? Those numbers continue to dwindle for good reason. You define yourself as a Christian, and you're going to be defined by society as narrow-minded, hateful, and judgmental.

...Saying prayer in school is akin to forcing nonbelievers to conform against their will. Teaching intelligent design is literally likened to child abuse now, mocked as anti-science." (Source)

Aside from lawlessness, social unrest, and political lunacy, America has lost its way. Corruption is now a badge of honor if you can get away with it. Lying is acceptable if it promotes the greater good. Worse yet, nearly half of the American adult population appear undaunted by the obvious lack of honesty among political leaders running for office.

Integrity is scorned as an impractical virtue from the past. It doesn't fit today's values. Those who live honorably before men are derided and viewed as weak vessels because they refuse to be a player in the game of exploitation for self-gain.

America is gelling into an "unrecognizable thing" never seen before now. The governing principles of the Judeo-Christian faith, that help form and make this country boundless, have been tossed aside by leaders who do not know the cost of freedom or the value of patriots. Professing themselves to be wise, they act without understanding and reap whirlwinds of unintended consequences (Romans 1:21).

The principle of one nation under God is being tested in the courts. While liberal factions have succeeded in removing the Ten Commandments from the public square, other groups partner to focus on how to remove God from pledges, currency, and all manner of public display and influence.

The principle of right-to-life was trashed by Roe versus Wade when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of abortion. Though Christians and pro-life groups have fought valiantly and tirelessly to end the tide of wanton annihilation of the unborn innocent, the holocaust continues.

There are other principles under attack too, like family values, patriotism, hard work and common decency. All of these founding principles guided America for centuries and the world looked upon the American people as good and decent and exceptional.

The America I knew was defined by people who believed in God. The America I no longer know is defined by people who believe in big government, their god. The difference between the two is the difference between day and night. America's exceptionalism is a fading memory.

What can we do about unbridled policymakers with hidden agendas? What can we do about watered-down doctrines that deny Christ and push genuine believers out the church door? What can we do about a society that views believers as narrow-minded, hateful, and judgmental?

What can we do?

We can pray but also recognize the Father is sovereign in all things including the ways of men (Proverbs 16:9). Nothing will occur before its time and nothing will occur outside His will. In these promises are security and peace because He works all things together for our good. (Romans 8:28-30)

Jesus was a stranger here and so are we. The world is growing increasingly dark, distant and alien to biblical truth (Philippians 3:20). The world hates truth because it has the power to pull back the cover of darkness exposing every vile passion of the soul (John 8:12)

Allen Beechick, who believes in the pre-tribulation rapture, gives some sound advice about this troubled world and how to live in it from day-to-day:

As long as we are in this old world we will have tribulation. We should expect it. We should prepare for it...In some degree I expect to suffer tribulation every day of my life for the rest of my life. That is my privilege — yes, privilege — as a Christian.

The Thessalonians prematurely expected escape from all their troubles. They thought the Lord would come right away to destroy their enemies. Paul writes his second epistle to the Thessalonians to correct this false notion, and his theme is God delays punishment of the wicked in order to produce patience in the believer. (Source)

Jesus said, "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth" (Revelation 3:10). This promise from Jesus is for faithfulness (Proverbs 3:5-6).

In closing, the rapture is sure to happen. It is imminent. It is promised. It is more assured today than yesterday. It could happen tomorrow or when least expected, perhaps even today (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11).

This world is not our home. This world can never be a believer's home because home is where the heart is (Luke 12:34).

Shalom

Image Credit: geralt; untitled; Creative Commons

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Published 6-10-2015