by John Greene
This nation has certainly been through some trials in the last decade. Even with the crisis we face on all levels, most Americans don’t question the events that have transpired beyond their own common sense or their “in-the-box-thinking”. While common sense is commendable, this sense is increasingly rare; for as a nation, we have been traveling a slippery slope for quite some time and have deceived ourselves. Many of us still hold this nation to be Christian despite evidence and outright statements by those running it to the contrary. This situation of misplaced faith should be especially troubling for Christians as multitudes of us have bought the ways of the world: hook, line and sinker, adopting them as “God’s Ways”. Never has this reality been clearer than with the economic crisis that plagues the nation. This crisis is one that did not need to be, if any degree of righteousness or reasonable sense was resident with those in control of government and financial affairs. That is simply not the case. As a nation and perhaps the world, we face a crisis of judgment with only one way out as a people.
“Son of man, the people living in those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession.’ Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Since you eat meat with the blood still in it and look to your idols and shed blood, should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you do detestable things, and each of you defiles his neighbor’s wife. Should you then possess the land?’ – Ezekiel 33:24, 25
Many Christians assume their patriotism is righteous and that they are part of spiritual Israel, and this land of America, part of their possession. The evidence is alarming and contrary to the hopes of many. In many senses, the nation is in ruin, even if not entirely ruined. The perception of this reality depends on your viewpoint, knowledge and understanding. The question remains: Should we possess the land? If we ever did possess the land in reality, the evidence is quite contrary that Christians possess any land in any degree of reality today. When a nation or people turns aside, what bonus do they reap?
“Say this to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: As surely as I live, those who are left in the ruins will fall by the sword, those out in the country I will give to the wild animals to be devoured, and those in strongholds and caves will die of a plague. I will make the land a desolate waste, and her proud strength will come to an end, and the mountains of Israel will become desolate so that no one will cross them. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have made the land a desolate waste because of all the detestable things they have done.’ – Ezekiel 33:27-29
Unhappily, the end result of unrepentant actions always result in the same end. In the end, when the result is overwhelmingly bad, it is because God’s Way has been abandoned. That is the case now in America and much of the world. While many would use the example of Jesus as one of absolute tolerance and apply this to diversity thought that is in vogue today, reality is far from that notion. Jesus did not stand for modern diversity thought that sanctions all thought and conduct. What is the world-at-large doing with their lives? For that matter, what are proclaimed Christians doing with their lives? Is there a difference?
“As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, ‘Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.’ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. “When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” - Ezekiel 30:30-33
When Christians listen and if we happen to hear the truth, that truth is not put into practice and is fully ignored under normal circumstances today. This isn’t an act of judgment, but simply noted from examining the fruits of Christianity as a whole. Hearts have gone to sleep. “With their mouths they express devotion…”, but many professed Christian hearts are far from devotion to anything but self. This is not good news, for these Christians are not entering through the narrow gate, but are walking down the wide road instead. (Matthew 7:13,14)
The Bible tells you that you are to be your own judge. I am not judging you. If you refuse to judge yourself, the Lord Jehovah will surely be yours. A prophet is among you speaking the truth just as Ezekiel did. Please listen and bring your life into right with God, first, by listening to what He says and then, by acting on it, discerning the difference between good and evil. The shelf life of America and the life of envy that it harbors appears to be extremely limited unless a massive act of repentence overtakes the nation.
“a refreshing drink of American envy”
