Really I think that if only those who call themselves Christians would live as such-in word and deed, we could easily have those without hope, joy, peace and love come over to our God- The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit- just by looking inside their soul and wanting these gifts. By having The Lord’s Table to cleanse our sins and the works through faith, they could be happy with spiritual things and not worldly things (which are very temporary).
II Chronicles 7:14
Yes.
The decline of our nation is the fault of the Church - and its decline.
When our nation was founded on Biblical principles, the influence of the church was overwhelming - even on deists like Jefferson, who held to Christian values, slavery excepted. Real men of God like Washington led our nation. There was no protest over Christian values and Christian world-view.
As the church became weak and worldly (because individuals in the church did), its influence on our nation and its values declined proportionally.
Today’s church is predominately big name preachers in big buildings asking for and receiving big money while the vast number of small churches are self-centered, status quo and passive with little Popes that have no impact whatsoever on the communities that surround them.
The world looks at the church and what does it see? Not Christ Jesus, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit like in Acts. It sees itself. And it says, “No thank you. You have nothing that interests me. I don’t see anything different. I see leaders that are too often seeking power, fame and position - and money. I see flocks adoringly following them, living just like us.”
A tiny, dead, rural church near us founded in 1773 with maybe 40 active members recently needed a new pastor. He demanded a salary of $60k. And got it.
II Chron. 7:14 is indeed our only hope. The sad thing about Trump is that financial prosperity may indeed come as he leads us back to freedom in many areas - but I don’t know of one case in history where prosperity brought repentance to God’s people. As someone said, prosperity is usually a curse, not a blessing - and a time when people turn away from God and forget Him.
See Deut. 6:10-12, 8:7-14.