It’s clear that America has lost her moral compass and is imploding as a result. I’m not writing as a Democrat or as a Republican but as a citizen concerned about the moral fabric of our union.
Consider recent headlines: Robert Redford recently said that “we have a president who degrades everything he touches.” He also penned an op-ed calling on people to vote Donald Trump out of office so we can “choose civility and progress.” Lady Gaga told Mike Pence that he is “the worst representation of what it means to be a Christian.” And one political party wants to strike the oath “so help me God” taken in front of a key House committee.
In response to Mr. Redford, countless Americans disagree with his definition of progress. Is progress murdering children in the womb, even up to nine months? Is progress teaching kindergartners to embrace homosexuality while allowing a transgender to read to them? Is it okay to let men share restrooms with girls as we abandon traditional male-female roles? We promote sexual sin and wink at pedophilia, but we throw a tirade when a border wall is being considered to filter crime.
Is civility giving a comedian a pass to hold a lifelike severed head of the president in her hand? Was Peter Fonda encouraging civility and unity when he said that President Trump’s son should be separated from his mother and put “in a cage with pedophiles”? For most to remain silent simply reveals the inconvenient truth: We are no longer concerned about honesty and decency. “The wicked freely parade and prance about while evil is praised throughout the land” (Psalm 12:8).
America's deadly moral decline must be addressed before real change can take place. We must promote hope rather than fear and truth rather than tolerance (watch a short clip here). To quote former President Obama and President Trump: This is the “Change We Need” to “Make America Great Again.”
America’s civil unrest is directly related to media bias and a rejection of God. The elephant in the room is clearly in the newsroom and on Sunset Blvd. Most news outlets, actors, and politicians have unbridled hatred and disdain for biblical truth. Love him or hate him, President Trump and some members of Congress and the Senate are the only things standing between religious freedom and severe persecution of those who hold to biblical values.
What is Lady Gaga’s understanding of Christianity... biblical Christianity? There is no “Christianity” where sin, repentance, and the fear of the Lord are avoided in the hope of not offending.
To pastors who are reading this, the Bible reminds us that the goal of preaching is faithfulness to God, not crowd appeal (read more and listen here). The church as a whole may have forgotten the fear of the Lord, but it doesn’t follow that we should. Thank God for His love and grace, but we cannot embrace sin under the banner of love and grace. Biblical truth is absolute and unchanging. Times change, truth does not.
We are so worried about offending others, but have we stopped to consider that we may be offending God? “When we become so tolerant that we lead people into mental fog and spiritual darkness, we are not acting like Christians, we are acting like cowards” (A.W. Tozer). We love people enough to tell them the truth. That is real Christian love. (For more information, watch a sermon clip here.)
Shocking Prediction—America after 2020 If We Ignore the Warning Signs
Regarding striking “so help me God” from the oath, our hope is found in returning to God, not removing Him. We live in the greatest country in the world, but the success we cherish is not the result of chance. Many early Americans understood that in order for a nation to thrive and prosper, God’s Word must provide the foundation for government and society. In the sobering words of Vice President Henry Wilson: “Remember ever, and always, that your country was founded by the stern old Puritans whose first act on touching the soil of the new world was to offer on bended knees thanksgiving to Almighty God.”
America’s current wave of relativism has eroded her foundation and created a moral void. Instead of progressing, we are regressing. Consider these imaginary headlines—sadly, they are sounding closer to fact as America continues to ignore the warning signs:
Mandatory Euthanasia Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C.—What many call genocide, Congress calls necessary to curtail rising healthcare costs. In the hope of reclaiming financial stability, many legislators pledge to sign a mandatory Euthanasia Bill—the 2019 NY legislation legalizing abortion at nine months paved the way.
Congress Lowers Age of Sexual Consent
WASHINGTON,D.C.—Congress will vote later this year to lower the age of sexual consent to 10. Members have agreed to consider new research indicating that sex between children and adults may be beneficial. Although this new research appears problematic and has been described as biased, it may have prompted a trend in the lower courts to assign convicted pedophiles lesser penalties such as community service or rehabilitation for committing lewd acts with children.
Zero Tolerance for Christians
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Homeland Security reports that Christianity is now under control due to a successful “Zero Tolerance” policy, which includes hate-speech legislation, outlawing the use of the Bible (except for the passages on love), incarceration for Christians holding to absolutes, heavy taxation on evangelical churches, and media scrutiny of anyone associated with the Christian faith.
Same-sex Marriage Has Exceeded Traditional Marriage
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Same-sex marriage now exceeds traditional marriage in some states. As a result, words such as “mom” and “dad” are being changed to “partner 1” and “partner 2.” Many biblical terms dealing with marriage, sexual orientation, and family values are now identified as hate speech and cannot be used in public.
I first wrote the rough draft for these headlines in 2008 in my book, One Nation ‘Above’ God. It’s alarming to see how close we are coming to real headlines. Ironically, as I was working on this article, the following text popped up in a news feed: “California State senator Hannah-Beth Jackson has introduced new rules prohibiting the use of traditional male and female gender pronouns.” God help us.
As stated in a recent article: What kind of nation do we live in where a newly elected congresswoman can tweet “Impeach the (explicit)!” about our president? Freedom of speech comes with moral responsibility; we are seeing instead moral degradation. Although many disagreed with Mr. Obama’s policies, most held his position in high regard. This type of demeaning behavior from a member of Congress (or anyone in leadership) should never be allowed, yet it illustrates the dumbing down of America and the dangerous direction we are heading in.
To all those on the fence regarding whom to vote for, consider the moral direction of our nation versus party preference. We must remember that the president (whoever that may be) is not “pastor in chief,” he is “commander in chief”—a flawed citizen just like all of us. It’s a huge plus when they remain faithful in marriage, and it’s critical to see humility in the highest office, but at this point, we are not voting for parties or people but for principles.
What direction will those running for office take us? This is the question we all should be asking. Our leader is to protect, administer justice, defend the nation, and allow religious freedom. The church is to care for the people, guard the Word of God, and serve as the conscience of the nation. You may want to commit this paragraph to memory before 2020.
America, our gun safes are full, but our prayer closets are empty.
We are in desperate need of another spiritual awakening. We must lead by example and return to humility, prayer, thankfulness, and obedience to God. God’s call is not to Hollywood, Washington, or the media, but to us: “If My people” turn back to Me I will heal and restore their land. Our hope is not in 2020, but in 714—2 Chronicles 7:14.
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the WCF Radio Network. More can be found at ShaneIdleman.com, including free downloads of his eBooks.
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