A M E R I C A . . .

STILL A CHRISTIAN NATION ?

The debate whether America is a “Christian” Nation has been a subject of controversy through-out the decades.  I want to offer up some points to ponder.

W A R N I N G

* * * This May Be CONTROVERSIAL For Some * * *

W A R N I N G

I mention this only because some have placed America in the ranks of the ALMIGHTY.  Ironically, I feel this speaks to the root of many problems we see developing in our Country.

“That’s PREPOSTEROUS!” you say.

Then why do I see such a “lukewarm” conviction coming out of the lives of “believers” today?  Read Revelation 3 : 15 - 19

…And why do I see believers more concerned with WHO will lead this Country over the next four years than getting to know the REAL KING who RULES from on HIGH!

Consider this warning given to us in 1 Samuel 8 : 1

[4] Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah

[5] and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

·         Sad how the desire to be like all the other nations was more important than enjoying the “exclusiveness” of  being set apart by and led by GOD.

[6] But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD.

·         Do we share in Samuel’s displeasure?

[7] And the LORD said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected ME from being king over them.

·         Is this any different to the misplaced “faith” we put in our “elected” officials?

[8] According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking ME and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you.

·         Do we place other “things” as more important? 

·         More hours at work or maybe spending every spare moment updating your social media pages all at the cost of spending less time in HIS WORD?

[9] Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”

(1 Samuel 8:4-9 ESV)

HERE COME THE WARNINGS…DO THEY SPEAK TO US TODAY?

[10] So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking for a king from him.

[11] He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots.

[12] And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.

·         The “ruler” uses the people to fight wars as he pleases; for causes he sees fit.

[13] He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.

[14] He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants.

¨      This happens in many forms of dictatorship / socialist / communist governments

[15] He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants.

[16] He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work.

[17] He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. [18] And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

        

(1 Samuel 8:10-18 ESV)

For me, its sounds eerily similar to the direction in which America is heading – the transition from a Republic to a Socialistic Dictatorship.

I can assure you this slippery slope started WELL before the Obama Administration.  In fact it transcends all political and racial lines.

I will admit, it has become more open and direct under the Obama administration – that is for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see!

Let me just get this straight for the record, I am a political atheist.  Although I submit myself to those authorities whom GOD alone has placed over me, I SERVE but ONE KING!

* * * * * R E M I N D E R * * * * *

No ELECTED official can EVER do for you what JESUS the MESSIAH has already done on your behalf!

* * * * R E M I N D E R * * * * *

Consider for a moment from whence America came and where it is heading [these things do not happen over night]:

¨      At its foundation, America was created to be a place where Freedom OF Religion was held in high regard.

¨      At this present time, we have exchanged that ideal with the Freedom FROM Religion.

Let me ask you this –

If you knew nothing about America, would the following images instill thoughts of a Christian Nation?

Or a Nation chasing other “gods”?

In WHAT GOD or god are we Trusting?

Consider these facts as recorded by Wikipedia

“The reverse of the seal on the left features a barren landscape dominated by an unfinished pyramid of 13 steps, topped by the Eye of Providence within a triangle.
At the base of the pyramid are engraved the Roman numerals MDCCLXXVI (1776), the date of American independence from Britain.

Ø      Can someone remind me where in our FAITH, pyramids with the Eye of Providence played a role?

Oh wait!  That was the EGYPTIANS ! ! !

At the top of the seal stands a Latin phrase, "ANNUIT COEPTIS," meaning "He (God) favors our undertaking."

¨      What god and what undertaking?

At the bottom of the seal is a semicircular banner proclaiming "NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM" meaning "New Order of the Ages," which is a reference to the new American era.

Ø      What “new” American era could they be referring to? 

Ø      What was wrong with the “old” one?

Now further consider this:

This is a picture of the Washington Monument - an obelisk near the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate the first U.S. president, General George Washington.  ~ Wikipedia

So what is an “obelisk”?

¨      It was used by both the Egyptian and Roman cultures in their respective deity worship

In Egyptian culture we see some of its first uses:

¨      The obelisk symbolized the sun god Ra, and it was also thought that the god existed within the structure.

You would think that a “Cross” would be more fitting a tribute to one of the founders of this “Christian” Nation.

I also find it interesting that the monument was damaged during the Virginia earthquake of August 23, 2011; it remains closed to the public indefinitely while the structure is assessed and repaired.

¨      Was that Providential or mere coincidence?

      The answer, I guess, depends on the eyes through which you view the "world".

In lieu of this information, let me ask you again:

¨      Is this the America that the pilgrims knew and loved OR is this the beginning of a NEW American Era?

My point is this:

BE CAREFUL not to ELEVATE any Nation, earthly person, or thing above GOD.

Where do you place your confidence?  In Country, Self, or GOD?

Let me put it another way,

• Are you more concerned with who is running our Country rather than who is running your household?

• Do your converstations revovle more around politics than on the impact JESUS is making on your life? 

JESUS is our KING, and we should seek HIS KINGDOM and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS above all else!

JESUS in talking to HIS disciples about the end of the Age says in Matthew 24

[23] Then if anyone says to you, “BEHOLD, here is the Messiah, or “Here He is”, do not believe.

[24] For False Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders [attesting miracles], so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

[25] Behold, I have told you in advance.

We increase our chances of being deceived if we are not carefully following JESUS daily in Truth and Spirit!

May the LORD add HIS blessings to this teaching…