The Judgment Of GodI love this great country of ours. I believe it is the greatest nation in the world. I am proud to be an American, and am proud of our great history and heritage. I also believe the only reason we are the greatest nation in the entire world is because the Almighty God has blessed us so abundantly. Why did He bless us? Because this country was founded with a deep, reverential respect for God and for His Holy Word. We were founded by Godly men who believed in what the Bible teaches. And because of that, God blessed us abundantly. But the more I read my Bible, the more convinced I am that America is in terrible peril, and almost all of us are too blind and too proud and too arrogant to see it. The devastating destruction of the Twin Towers was a national tragedy, indeed; but even that disaster pales in comparison to the tragedy that may be upon us at any moment. The Bible tells us quite clearly, in plain and simple language that we ignore at great risk to our eternal souls: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (i.e. - loving riches and wealth), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. II Tim. 3:1-5 The Bible tells us that in the last days we will love three things more than God: ourselves, money and pleasure. These three things represent the attitudes prevailing in our society today. Love of self is "humanism", the most prevelant religion in America today. Humanism is defined as an attitude, way of life, or doctrine centered upon self-serving human interests, and denying the supernatural power of God. This doctrine teaches that man can find peace, joy, and a sense of self-worth within himself, as well as his own salvation; thus there is no need or desire for God; in fact, humanism denies the very existence of God. Love of money is "materialism", another god. Never mind that God’s Word clearly says; "THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME." (Ex. 20:3). We ignore our Almighty Creator in search of the Almighty Dollar. Nothing is considered more important than getting ahead, and then getting even more. We think we have to have big SUV's, huge houses, designer clothing, a nice thick stock portfolio; the list goes on and on. The real irony here is that no matter how much we acquire, it is never enough. We will always want a little more, a little better, a little extra. Someone once asked John D. Rockefeller "How much money is enough?", to which he replied, "You can never have enough." We can never find lasting peace and satisfaction in material things, so we always have to have more and more and bigger and better things in a never-ending search for satisfaction. What a sad contrast to what the Bible teaches! The Bible teaches that our goal should be: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." ( Matt. 6:33) Love of pleasure is "hedonism", our goal. Our by-word today is "If it feels good, do it!" Whatever makes us happy; whatever feels good, whatever our little hearts desire; we choose to indulge ourselves. We justify our indulgences with thoughts like, "I earned it", "I deserve it" or "I'm worth it". Our selfish focus is only on ourselves.... "I, I, I.... me, me, me.... mine, mine,mine." The word of God is clear: When men worship themselves more than God, and money more than God, and pleasure more than God, then God will step back, remove Himself from the scene, and allow man's fallen nature to drag him deeper into damnation. We see the results of God stepping back in America today. Tell me if this passage of Divine Scripture doesn’t describe just exactly what is happening right here, right now in our country: Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:24-32) Yes, I believe this great country of ours is in terrible peril. Because of the things that we have embraced,in direct opposition to the Word of God, the judgment of God is coming upon us. We need to take to heart the words of God’s own Holy Word, as found in II Chronicles 7:14: "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." Listen up, America! Whether we choose to believe or not, God's Word has already been given, and He will do what He has said. As horrifying as the events of 9/11 were, they do not begin to compare with the wrath of the Almighty God, our Creator. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. (Rom. 2:2)
|