| Reversing Direction July 14, 2006 Some folks blame liberals. Others fault conservatives. Some focus their wrath on the beaucracy of the government, while others target special interest groups. Most Americans sense that our nation currently travels down a dangerous road, and virtually everyone wants to blame someone else. It seems that no particular individual or group remains immune from criticism about the direction in which our nation heads. Christians lay much of the blame for our nation’s lurch away from traditional values and old-fashioned morals at the feet of many secular, liberal leaning groups such as the media, politicians, the ACLU, the entertainment industry, trial lawyers, activist judges, homosexual activists, etc. The theory behind faulting these groups states that our nation would return to its Christian roots if these liberal groups would stop pushing their godless agendas on our country. Without such an influence, the good people of America would naturally turn to Jesus and walk the straight-and-narrow. Obviously, those on the other end of the spectrum, I’ll call them secularists, believe that Christians – especially evangelical, fundamentalist Christians – form the primary obstacle to our nation’s growth by spewing their religiosity in the public square and by forcing their hate-filled message of “morality” down the throats of those who do not agree with them. In so doing, Christians supposedly attempt to force secularists to stop being themselves and to act like someone or something they are not. Such a policy robs ordinary Americans of their so-called “freedom” to do as they choose. Plus, these secularists voice concern that other nations will view America as a land of prudes who feel morally superior to the rest of the world. Now, being a conservative Christian, I have tended to agree most often with the first group. Upon further analysis, though, I reversed course and now agree with the second group – at least partially. I possess no doubts that Christians shoulder the blame for our nation’s moral decline. However, that’s where my agreement with the secularist’s theory ends. In fact, I fault Christians for not doing enough to spread Christianity and to influence American culture. In recent decades, Christians have adopted a curious policy of spiritual non- engagement. Physically and emotionally, Christians have continued to function as productive members of our society. They rise from bed, go to work, take the kids to practice, and go to bed at night. They watch television, go to the movies, and lead virtually identical lives to those in the culture around them. Indeed, most Christians live indistinguishably from their secular counterparts. The basic problem facing Christians is a lack of concern for things spiritual. Christians in our modern world seem concerned about everything except their spirituality. “Christ followers” spend their time and effort working at their jobs and leading their lives and allow their spirit to go malnourished. Such spiritual starvation leads to an attitude of complacency and even apathy regarding issues of morality. If Christians as a whole continue with an apathetic mindset, the future of our country seems grim. We must remember, however, that we possess a secret weapon. If we who proclaim ourselves as Christians choose to make a change, to rededicate ourselves to Christ, and to pray for America, our nation’s fate would reverse. Remember the haunting words of James, “You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2) Certainly, it would take time, but it would happen. The key to America’s renaissance lies in Christians waking from their spiritual slumber and actually following through on their promise of devotion to Jesus the Christ. Remember, making the decision to follow Christ means that one is committing himself/herself to Christianity. It is not just a duty to appear for an hour or two on Sunday morning that is quickly forgotten once you exit the church building. Christianity signifies devotion. Christianity means dedicating oneself to Bible reading and studying, to praying frequently, to telling others about Christ, to being kind, to doing good deeds for others, to listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, to loving others more than you love yourself, and to making Christ first and foremost in your life. If those who claim the title of Christian firmly decided to truly walk the Christian path, America would see tremendous changes for the positive and would become a much better place to live. Consider what would happen if Christians were true to their calling and followed the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Civility would return to our culture. People would be nicer to each other. Crime levels would plummet. Drug and alcohol abuse would decline. Sexual crimes would dramatically decrease. Parents could eventually allow their children to play outside without fear of someone abducting them. Perhaps Americans would cease looking out for themselves only. All of this and more would occur fairly quickly if those who believe in Christ Jesus would simply remain true to their Christian walk. Without doubt, the United States would shine once again as a light to the world. Christians hold a wonderful hope for the future. Indeed, those who follow Christ know the wonder that awaits them after physical death. We Christians understand that this life on earth is not all that exists. We know that Christ’s sacrifice – his death, burial, and resurrection - provides us with hope. Now, it’s up to those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior to live accordingly. Once we start doing so, America’s moral condition will improve, America will wake from her spiritual slumber, and America will radiate hope to the rest of the world. Vaughn Ison |
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