The deaths on September 11, 2012, permeated the media and news headlines. People were shocked and appalled that of all days — the day we remember the biggest assault on American soil — American embassies were attacked, our flag was burned, and Americans were killed. But do the attacks and deaths really surprise anyone? Haven’t we seen this coming? Our nation continues to fund Libya, and the current administration refuses to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Our president apologizes for the United States and doesn’t believe we’re exceptional. He doesn’t see us as a “Christian nation.” The DNC’s party platform committee removed references to God and to Jerusalem as Israel’s capital from the Democrat platform, and then both references were embarrassingly reinstated over the loud objections of a large number of the delegates.
It is time for Christians to stop worrying about being politically correct and become Biblically faithful. James 4 states that “Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world maketh himself the enemy of God.” Are American citizens afraid to speak out in fear of upsetting others? Are we afraid of what the media or our “friends” will think of us? As Christians, we know that we will face trials and tribulations. But we can take heart, because He has overcome the world.
It’s time for Christians to pray and become active. Christians have been in leadership and at the forefront during pivotal times in our nation’s history. The Pilgrims came from England seeking religious refuge. Our Founders included preachers, doctors, judges, and teachers. They were all well read and educated on the issues that came before them. The Great Awakening, Temperance Movement, Civil Rights — you name the movements for good in U.S. history, and they were headed by Christians.
It is not fun to be mocked, ridiculed, slandered, and/or shunned. It’s not easy. But Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his lifewill lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the Gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Each of us must choose to be an enemy of God or an enemy of the world. We cannot serve both masters. If being a Christian and always doing the right thing were easy, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are now. We could make the case that the past 40-50 years of changes in values in America came about because Christians were not as Biblically faithful as they were called to be. But today, we face stark choices — economic, fiscal, and social crises abound. Each candidate and party has a position that is, in many important ways, the antithesis of the other. Sadly, too many Americans who hold to Judeo-Christian values are not willing to talk about the economy, unemployment rate, food stamps, ObamaCare, debt, or the fact that Moody’s is threatening to downgrade us yet again. Why are so many backing away from the fight?
We are at the point in our history where our children will look back on and ask us what we were doing. What were we thinking? What did we do that changed the direction? Will we speak the truth, or will we cower in fear? It’s our choice; but in the end, we will be called to judgment for what we do or don’t do.
Our guest blogger today is Breanna Haupt, an intern with Concerned Women for America’s Ronald Reagan Memorial Internship Program.