AMERICA: A CHRISTIAN NATION?

THROWBACK POST (PIHIM'S NEWS & VIEWS, 2007)

For Christians everywhere, the struggle with identity in our present-day culture, is driving many towards unprofitable off-ramps, seductive detours and fanatical places of delusional pursuits.  Because our Christ-ordained mission does not change despite blaring persecution of humanists, blatant opposition of anti-Christ protest, or through subtle or blatant media manipulation – the reality of our Christ identity has greater significance now, than it ever has before!

What if tomorrow there was a national announcement on the evening news, which “silenced the voice of Christianity” on the public airwaves - via television and radio?  What would we do?  How would we adjust in our approach to reaching people for Christ?

Well, I can’t tell you that the day will never come, and that there are not already humanly devised schemes to create such an atrocity in this nation and around the world.  But, the liberties we now celebrate are constantly in jeopardy.  Many believe, if we allow the secularists to silence our “majority voice”, we are doomed to this fate sooner or later – but this actually reeks of the spirit of fear and unbelief that is so pervasive in Christian culture; because all of our “talking” is stirring a growing hostility toward the message we so faithfully value – yet, we no longer believe in the God of the impossible and unpredictable.  

Should we just stop speaking the truth?  Absolutely, NOT!  But, we must be sure that “what we are saying has its origin in Him (Christ)”!

More often than I would prefer, I silently scream from a growing frustration that roars within me, as I hear some of our Christian leader’s discussions on unproductive broadcasting topics like whether “America is a Christian nation or not”; while the world is going to hell-and-a-hand-basket, and our efforts to reach the world is dwarfed by Christian conferences, book sales and popularity contests.

I can already hear some of my brothers and sisters in Christ saying, “Now Walter, what are we supposed to do…just sit around, and let “them” persecute, accuse and belittle our efforts to defend the faith?  How would we look to the world abroad?  And, how will our silence “win us the battle”?

Well, first of all, we’re talking too much nowadays, and not praying enough, in faith!  Many, “so called” believers, do not actually believe in the power of God through concerted, consistent and cooperative prayer that engages the All Knowing – All Powerful – and All Sufficient God, whom we serve, that is mighty in battle and unable to fail!  

Now don’t get me wrong, I understand the need that many avid historians and Christian apologists accept as a call from God to defend the original intent of our nation’s founders, because of the secular-humanist’s philosophical distortions and outright denial of the influence of Judeo-Christian biblical principles on our nation’s founding, longevity and prosperity.  But, the gospel being preached with greater clarity and effectiveness to the masses should be our focus, and not the rabbit trails that we often chase in response to those that seemingly refute our historicity for some political agenda, or for the purpose of conformity to cultural pressures; which moves us further away from our relevant and timely message, as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

The establishment and foundation of this nation is based upon Judeo-Christian principles, without argument.  But, the American people, from the original intent expressed by our founding fathers, were to seek liberty and the pursuit of justice, which was to be lived outside of religion being imposed on its citizenry.  In many recent Christian media reports and publications, we can see and hear of the absolute dedication that many of our founding fathers had for Christ, as displayed in their written convictions about having His Person central in the affairs of government and public service for the good of all.

What difference does it make, anyway?  Is this actually what God is desiring (a Christian nation), or is it an ideology that continues to have the church spinning its wheels in the sands of opinion polls, politics and pervasive arguments that spawns a greater hostility and divide in the hearts of confused Christ-followers, who are struggling with “how” we influence the world and occupy until He comes!

When we actually become consumed with “the need” to defend and uphold ideas that are contrary to the principles we supposedly believe and espouse, we tend to sound more like a bunch of brainwashed hypocrites - who really don’t know “what we believe”, and are always scrambling in reaction to whatever the culture or the misrepresentations of the Christian-faith purport.  

The demonstration of what we believe through active and ongoing participation in all segments of our society and culture is the beginning of having a veritable impact in this corrupt world system.  But, naively believing that proper credit or acceptance of Christian principles will be given by the world may scarcely occur, but should never be our focus or expectation!

This week, as I was briefly studying the book of Daniel in the seventh chapter, I discovered a powerful truth about Daniel’s vision of the four beasts in verse 8b, which says “And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.”  As I continued further in the chapter, all of the fascinating truths and mysteries within the book points toward the blasphemous and pompous words of the horns (or leaders of influence), who through the “war of words” captivate the attention of the masses of people in every nation, tongue and ethnic group.  Here we can clearly see, the philosophical debating and proving of “superior intelligence” is actually a strategic method of the enemy; to get church leaders into intellectual seduction and academic fantasies that lessens the importance of seeing God’s power – instead of minimizing Him with systematic explanations and tired theological exchanges!

Because, we often enter the land-mines of competing ideas and human wisdom - as outspoken Christian leaders, we actually tie the hands of the Lord and dethrone His power, by fearful responses to empty arguments and chasing the wind!  

We can save no one from the coming deception, unless within their own hearts, they are actually seeking the truth and the Holy Spirit permits our spiritual eyes to be open.  Isaiah the fortieth chapter says it even better: “13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him? 14 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.  16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering. 17 All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless. 18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him? 19 The workman molds an image, The goldsmith overspreads it with gold, And the silversmith casts silver chains. 20 Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution chooses a tree that will not rot; He seeks for himself a skillful workman  To prepare a carved image that will not totter. 21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. 23 He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless. 24 Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely shall they be sown, Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, When He will also blow on them, And they will wither, And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble. 25 “ To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.

Images (sight) and words (sound) is the enemy’s primary battlefield in this world system, and as sincere Christians, who actually carry the Spirit and Word of Reconciliation, our focus must be on discovering  “who we are in Christ” - will distract us from knowing, “who Christ is in us”.  

Whoa!  Now that sounds like a play on words… – What’s the difference?

The “who we are in Christ” crowd actually believes that God accepts them “just the way they are”, and therefore they constantly reason or debate about their actual beliefs and behaviors - based upon the current cultural or extraneous philosophical explanations; like pro-choice decisions, homosexual lifestyles and polygamist ideals.  They also believe their “identity” is in discovering who they are, like a message I heard recently about “the indestructible treasure is YOU”!  NOT!!  The only “indestructible treasure” is, Christ in YOU, the hope of glory!  Meaning, apart from Christ, we are spiritually unworthy, naked and wretched!  

Well, you may just be thinking, “semantics, Walter…semantics” – but, I beg to differ!  This epidemic and growing deception is running rampant in the church today; so suffering, persecution, forgiveness, and death to self couldn’t be the will of God for me – after all, “God loves me just the way I am”.  No, God loves you too much to leave you like you are – that’s why He sent His Son to die for us!

Our lives are ONLY indestructible when we are in the center of God’s will and purpose for us!

The “who Christ is in us” crowd actually believes “what the Word of God says that we are”, and makes no apologies or excuses for disobedience to God’s word - for their own personal pleasure, satisfaction or fulfillment in the name of their so-called commitment to God.  They also believe that their identity is “in Christ”, as they are hidden with Christ in God!  Through this Christ-like identity, they discover the purpose He had in mind before they were formed in their mother’s womb!  They deny themselves from pursuing anything that will gratify their flesh and promote self-dependence, instead of God-dependence.  And, their family, the culture or the changing times, does not alter their Christ-like identity, or convictions - ever!

God has used the influence of the United States of America - and the “sanctified” citizens thereof, to globally produce and release the Gospel of Jesus Christ, through the Judeo-Christian philosophies and principles that are reflected in our Constitution. 

ANYONE who attempts to ignore that reality, is ignorant of our historicity and dishonors the blood poured out by our Armed Forces; who generally have no political agenda or partisan pulpit to protect!

If AMERICA “being a Christian Nation”, is a requirement for civility and progress, it will only be reflected though the principles and practices that are embraced and walked out in the legislations and appropriations, which aligns or positions this country in agreement “with God” - or in opposition “to God”; and the results will speak for themselves! 

Now, "being a Christian" - MUST MEAN, "possessing the qualities and the characteristics thereof"; and THIS being a non-negotiable, if the POWER OF GOD is going to reach the masses in a more pronounced way- as God pours out HIS Spirit "upon ALL flesh" during these last days! WS-3