REPENTANCE - AMERICA'SONLY HOPE

August 30, 2017

Repentance--America's only hope

By Madeline Crabb

Is America coming apart at her proverbial seams? Certainly we are being attacked from without and within. 

We face possible World War III because of maniacal lunatics abroad posing as world leaders, and Civil War at home from home-grown lazies and crazies, who can't seem to function in a civil, moral, and orderly society.

Additionally there are the foreigners coming here to live, often times illegally crossing our borders. Scores of them, with their hands out to receive whatever they can get from our generosity, riot in our streets and attempt to make us into the image of their mother countries. 

Far too often, we let them. Talk about insanity!
As for enemies outside our borders, there really are nations that despise us. 

After all, we are the major producers of filth and smut, and exporters of same to the rest of the world. 

Otherwise, jealousy, envy, and greed cause hatred towards us. Many world players (along with leaders here in America) would like to see America "cut down to size." 

So yes, it appears we are falling apart.
Of the dangers we face, the internal ones are the most ominous. 

The Culture War is raging, and has perhaps reached a boiling point. 

In the simplest of terms, this war can be described as good vs. bad, right vs. wrong. 

But correctly, it is God vs. Satan. 

This is a war for our individual and collective heart, mind, and soul.
Can America survive? 

Honestly, I don't think so. Individuals can still survive. We may be able to salvage a small vestige of society. 

The question is whether we are willing to pay the price required, for you see, Repentance is America's only hope.
For months I have been deeply grieved by the state of our nation, and worse, the state of the Church. 

Regarding our nation, it is mind-boggling to watch how the duly-elected President of the United States is being thwarted at every turn in his attempts to carry out the will of We the People who elected him. 

Media propagandists make it extremely difficult for people to learn truth, which is a major part of their plan. 

Sadly, much of the adversity comes from people in the Republican Party – other representatives elected to do the will of We the People.
What I am sensing is that there is absolutely no hope for a government of, by, and for the people, as described by President Abraham Lincoln. 

That government is gone...replaced by self-serving, sold-out puppets of an evil cabal 

set to usher us into the hands of the coming one-world leader.
I believe, as do many Bible teachers, that President Trump is being used by God to buy America a little more time in which the Church can get its act together and focus on reclaiming America, and so individual Christians can "get right" with God.
As for the Church, I have been particularly grieved. 

This has led me into deep study and prayer. 

My studies took me to no-nonsense ministers from the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Surprisingly, these men of old had the same concerns shared by many of us today. From at least the 1700's, there was concern about a watered-down Gospel, and the Church being changed by culture, instead of us changing it. But then, the Bible tells us this not only will happen, but will worsen.

For clarity, please know that when I refer to the Church, this means all those who have made Jesus our Lord and Savior. Obviously the Church is broken up into thousands of small groups or congregations throughout the land. 

This is where much of the problem exists, for within every congregation there is a pastor and others in church leadership, who dictate what is being taught to the people. 

Sadly, a majority of Christians rely on these leaders for their biblical instruction. 

If said leaders are true, humble, honest men of God, they will provide truthful, Holy Spirit-led instruction, and also strongly urge parishioners to read and study the Bible for themselves – to become like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily to see if the things they were being taught were true. (Acts 17:11) 

Have we become lazy and complacent?
Perhaps if more self-professing Christians were like the Bereans, there would be less error taught in our churches. 

Perhaps we would actually obey God, and not be just hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word as well. (Jas. 1:22) 

Instead, many pastors and teachers preach "fluffy, puffy" messages meant to "tickle the ears" of the listener. 

The Bible says, 

"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear." (2 Tim. 4:3 NLT) 

Have pastors and teachers intentionally watered-down the Word to insure the pews are filled, or have the people rejected God's Truth for messages to assuage their consciences? 

I suggest it is both of these.
Regardless of our current condition, God's Word says it is our fault, as do the sage ministers from the past. 

So many misguided professing Christians think God will just erase all our mistakes with a "no harm, no foul" gesture, and allow us to continue going our own way and doing our own thing – kind of like the Israelites of Old Testament days. 

However, Scripture teaches that God will not tolerate our rebellion forever. We are warned, 

"But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed." (Rom. 2:5 NLT)

Does God want to judge America? 

Probably not. 

Yet, as the above scripture says, He will judge us if we don't turn from our wicked ways. 

Repentance is America's only hope! To anyone willing to hear....

© Madeline Crabb

http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/crabb/170830