Last week millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day. For many of them, it was just another holiday to celebrate, cookout, go to the beach or the lake and end the day with fireworks.
On the Sunday prior to July 4, countless churches held special patriotic services and many pastors undoubtedly preached a message from II Chronicles 7:14. “God Bless America” was no doubt sung thousands of times. And, the messages should have been preached and that song should have been sung with deep passion.
We refer to this verse often, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (KJV). But do we truly heed the admonition from God?
For all its faults, the United States of America is still the greatest country in the world. We still have freedom of religion and other freedoms that are withheld from people in many regions of the world.
Lonnie Wilkey
God has blessed America. Pastor Dale McCoig of Enoree Baptist Church in Travelers Rest, S.C., observed in his message on June 30 that just because God has been faithful and “blessed our country in the past it does not mean that we can automatically presume those blessings in the future.” So true.
Let’s face it. America is in trouble and it is not just because of rising inflation, spiraling gas and food prices, lack of affordable health care, or other issues that affect Americans from every walk of life.
The issue is simple. Morality in America is declining. To say America is immoral is not true because we still have Christians and even non -Christians who have a strong sense of moral values and try to live them out.
We do, however, live in a country where sin is applauded (same-sex marriage and the homosexual lifestyle), just to name a few. We just ended June which is officially recognized in our nation Pride Month, honoring the LGBTQ community.
Though the Ten Commandments are still adhered to by countless numbers of people, there are countless others who have no clue as to what the Ten Commandments are about. They may have heard of them, but they do not know what they are.
In 2010, the Pew Research Center conducted a study on how much Americans know about religion. Among the questions was one on the Ten Commandments. The question listed four answers: Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Keep the Sabbath holy. The respondent was asked to select the answer that is not part of the Ten Commandments. More than 25 percent of Americans believed that “Keep the Sabbath holy” is not included in the Ten Commandments (it is) while “Do unto others” is included (it is not).
Fourteen years later, a survey by Lifeway Research a survey shows that 40 percent of people who go to church believe Americans do not have a positive perception of Christianity while 69 percent of churchgoers believe that Americans’ perception of Christianity is getting worse.
In other words, many Americans are not being influenced by Christians.
Churchgoers offered several reasons as to why they think their influence is decreasing among Americans. The top two answers were “Fewer Americans believe that faith in God is relevant” (66 percent) and “Christians don’t act any different than those who are not Christian” (45 percent). Though it was near the bottom of the list with only 25 percent of the respondents, this answer was revealing, “Christians often treat each other poorly on social media.”
How do we change these perceptions, whether they are real or imagined?
It all goes back to II Chronicles 7:14. Until God’s people “humble themselves and pray and seek His face,” nothing will change. It will only get worse. Most Americans who reject God will not be persuaded to “change their wicked ways” because they see no need to read the Bible. What they need is to see Christ at work among His followers. We are the only “Jesus” some people will ever see. If all they ever see is Christians arguing and bickering with each over, then it is no wonder they believe that we don’t act any different than non-Christians.
We need to be intentional in allowing people to see Jesus in and through us. Then, and only then, will people begin to repent so God can truly “heal our land.” B&R
