Madeline Crabb
America: Great, good, or godless?
Madeline Crabb
"America is great because she is good. If America will cease to be good, America will cease to be great," said Alexis de Tocqueville.
America has become more tolerant, free, politically correct, diverse/multi-cultural, and enlightened. An ever-growing number of Americans, even Christians, say all these things are good — but are they?
We're tolerant of everything but the sincere Christian who believes in absolutes — right and wrong. We're free to conduct ourselves in every sort of perverse way, and yet not free enough to proclaim belief in our God from the classroom to the public square. The political correctness movement, which is really the "Thought Police," ensures that nobody, except sincere Christians, will ever be offended by other people's words — and that only Christian words are offensive. Our diversity and multi-culturalism, meant to embrace everyone, are actually dividing and weakening our country. And being so enlightened and "wise in our own eyes," we're becoming as godless as France. Is this the America Alexis de Tocqueville was speaking about?
Today, instead of having "citizen legislators," as our founding fathers intended, we now have an increasingly corrupt government laden with "career politicians" who are becoming more self-serving, wealthy, and powerful instead of being humble "public servants." The results include a lack of trust and confidence in government, tyranny, and an enslaved citizenry. Hmmmm....Aren't these some of the reasons we fled from England and founded a new nation?
Instead of teaching children to have pride in their appearance that stems from respect for others and self, parents have been negligent by allowing their children to look (and act) like gangsters, bums, or tramps-in-training. It's even worse with teenage girls who now mostly look like full-blown prostitutes — even in the Church. Parents seem oblivious about the messages their children's appearance convey.
But when we have "celebrity sluts" like Britney Spears playing "peek-a-boo-crotch" with fans and photographers, why are we surprised about how our teens, and yes, even adults, look? Moreover, why are we surprised at the total lack of respect demonstrated for all that is good and decent in our society, when we have "role models" like in-your-face politicians, out-of-control actors and athletes, and even do-as-I-say, not-as-I do pastors?
We have become so enamored with worldly "stuff" and ways that we have forgotten about God's standards — the main standard being holiness. Does this mean America is no longer good? If so, she is no longer great. But more importantly, when America ceases to be godly, she will cease to exist. Aren't we quickly approaching that point?
If we are not totally appalled by what we view through TV and other media, by what we see and hear within our own communities and churches, and by how tyrannical our government has become, then we need to ask God to open our eyes and ears. As we honestly and soberly assess our society, do we truly believe God is pleased with us? If the answer is no, then what are we going to do to change things?
Scripture is replete with examples of individual and corporate judgment for not following God's decrees. Ignorance will not be a defense when we stand before Almighty God. We will have no excuse because God already sent his Son and gave us his Word to warn and prepare us. God is going to hold Christians responsible, and his Word says judgment begins in the Church. Shouldn't we, with fear and trembling, be humbling ourselves, praying, seeking his face, and turning from our own wicked ways? To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
By "America is great because she is good. If America will cease to be good, America will cease to be great," said Alexis de Tocqueville.
America has become more tolerant, free, politically correct, diverse/multi-cultural, and enlightened. An ever-growing number of Americans, even Christians, say all these things are good — but are they?
We're tolerant of everything but the sincere Christian who believes in absolutes — right and wrong. We're free to conduct ourselves in every sort of perverse way, and yet not free enough to proclaim belief in our God from the classroom to the public square. The political correctness movement, which is really the "Thought Police," ensures that nobody, except sincere Christians, will ever be offended by other people's words — and that only Christian words are offensive. Our diversity and multi-culturalism, meant to embrace everyone, are actually dividing and weakening our country. And being so enlightened and "wise in our own eyes," we're becoming as godless as France. Is this the America Alexis de Tocqueville was speaking about?
Today, instead of having "citizen legislators," as our founding fathers intended, we now have an increasingly corrupt government laden with "career politicians" who are becoming more self-serving, wealthy, and powerful instead of being humble "public servants." The results include a lack of trust and confidence in government, tyranny, and an enslaved citizenry. Hmmmm....Aren't these some of the reasons we fled from England and founded a new nation?
Instead of teaching children to have pride in their appearance that stems from respect for others and self, parents have been negligent by allowing their children to look (and act) like gangsters, bums, or tramps-in-training. It's even worse with teenage girls who now mostly look like full-blown prostitutes — even in the Church. Parents seem oblivious about the messages their children's appearance convey.
But when we have "celebrity sluts" like Britney Spears playing "peek-a-boo-crotch" with fans and photographers, why are we surprised about how our teens, and yes, even adults, look? Moreover, why are we surprised at the total lack of respect demonstrated for all that is good and decent in our society, when we have "role models" like in-your-face politicians, out-of-control actors and athletes, and even do-as-I-say, not-as-I do pastors?
We have become so enamored with worldly "stuff" and ways that we have forgotten about God's standards — the main standard being holiness. Does this mean America is no longer good? If so, she is no longer great. But more importantly, when America ceases to be godly, she will cease to exist. Aren't we quickly approaching that point?
If we are not totally appalled by what we view through TV and other media, by what we see and hear within our own communities and churches, and by how tyrannical our government has become, then we need to ask God to open our eyes and ears. As we honestly and soberly assess our society, do we truly believe God is pleased with us? If the answer is no, then what are we going to do to change things?
Scripture is replete with examples of individual and corporate judgment for not following God's decrees. Ignorance will not be a defense when we stand before Almighty God. We will have no excuse because God already sent his Son and gave us his Word to warn and prepare us. God is going to hold Christians responsible, and his Word says judgment begins in the Church. Shouldn't we, with fear and trembling, be humbling ourselves, praying, seeking his face, and turning from our own wicked ways? To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
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