[BibChr]

Good thoughts. I'm fomenting my own essay, but thought Mr. White sounded some little-heard notes of importance.

Dan
How Can I Know God?
Biblical Christianity message board

[Jerry_M]

There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1-5)

[1lawlady]

Great Article! I've observed much the same reaction when I mention the word repentance. Believers and nonbelievers alike, put their hands over the ears, try to shout me down, or figuratively run out of the room as if their hair was on fire. I, too, am saddened by invocations of God's blessing by people who've had no change of heart; they're frightened beyond words, but only know how to pull God out like a spare tire when their world has gone flat.

As I pondered this, I was reminded of the verse that says, "They draw nigh to me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." It took a couple of days before that verse cut me to the quick as I applied to myself as well. Simply put, I believe Jesus is calling His church to deeper repentance than they have ever experienced. I don't mean self-flaggelation or any outward show; nor do I mean that we should not continue to contend for the faith at the appropriate times, but now is the season of repentance! I am struck by this one thought, how will sinners know how to repent unless we model it?

I've known Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour for 45 years, and I have served Him most of that time. I've surrendered my life to Him a long time ago and allowed Him to change me from the inside out, but one thing I know I still have is an overwhelming pride. It's gotta go! I don't know any other believer's sins, but I know He is now calling each of us to repentance. For the sake of this heaven blessed nation, I pray that we will all listen and heed.

[Prince Caspian]

We need to realize: this new American religiosity can take on the same kind of fanatic zeal that kept the hi-jackers’ hands steady all the way to their end.

I have some particularly strong concerns and thoughts about this point. A watered down, feel-good, handy sort of religion can be very dangerous when pursued with a passion driven by a desperate societal urgency and when politics and government become involved. I see the potential of the seeds being sown.

Good article, Dan. Thanks.

[EternalVigilance]

Thanks for a great post.

We, as believers, always bear a greater burden than any to be of a repentant spirit, but especially now.

"For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God." -I Peter 4:17

[BearPaw1]

Jeremiah had the same problem when God sent him to tell Israel to repent.
The people of Judah did not want to hear Jeremiah's warnings, they wanted to here what the
false prophets had to say because it was all good, happy things.
Here is what God had to say:
Jeremiah 23:16 - Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto
the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make
you vain; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.
23:17 - They say still unto them that despise me, The Lord hath said,
YOU SHALL HAVE PEACE; and they say unto every one that walks after the
imagination of his own heart, NO EVIL shall come upon you.
23:21 - I HAVE NOT SENT THESE PROPHETS, yet they ran:
I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.
23:22 - But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people
to hear my word, then they should have turned from their evil ways, and from the evil of their doings.
Read Jereimah. No one wanted to hear him say,
"Thus saith THE LORD." and as in those days many only want to hear good, feely, positive things.

[gargoyle]

...Sounds to me like "get in the box." I end my day with a confession, My God, forgive me my tresspasses, as I forgive those...

[epow]

Dan: I don't have time to read many of the replies to your post, but I can imagine the grief you are going to get from both sides over this article. As for myself, I believe this is the best article on the subject I have read up until now. A bases-loaded home run in my book.

[MoJo2001]

Actually, I find hypocrisy in watching the same members of Congress that absolutely want God removed from every institution in America up there last week singing "God Bless America". Is it hypocrisy or is it God shining through to some of these folks?? I would like to believe it's the latter, but call me skeptical.

[boxlunch]

bump for a great article

[Matchett-PI]

James White wrote: "..... If they [Christians] speak in accordance with the Word they may well find themselves being called "unpatriotic" and "judgmental.".

And I just saw (and videotaped) blatant evidence ot that just now during the prayer service at the football stadium in NY.

Someone (a firefighter, I think), was introduced who got up and quoted the words of Paul in the last 5 verses of Romans 8 (verses 35-39).

Well .... all the words in those verses .... EXCEPT for one minor little detail; the last seven words in verse 39.

Of course that was done so as not to "offend" anyone.

I wonder if the young man who read those verses even knew that the last seven words were DELIBERATELY excluded. I'm betting he didn't.

I've been watching in vain for "the _whole_ Truth of God" to be spoken .... AT LEAST .... out of the mouths of those who profess to speak and teach in the name of the *Christian* God.

ESPECIALLY since, "Christianity ___IS___ the Lord Jesus Christ."

Oh yeah .... the part of verse 39 he quoted was: ".... nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God" but left out: "WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD."

Those who left out that part, fear men more than God.

[philosofy123]

People who get too obssesed with any religeon end up behaving just as bad as the Taliban! Once you imerse yourself deep in a religeon, you can not compromise, and you start to think that your religeon is superior to others.

[bray]

We need to lift up the name of Jesus in all that we do. We need to welcome the searching for a spiritual awakening and pray that the revival comes. There is only one name that is Glorified over all the earth and that is Jesus Christ our Lord. This is a spiritual war that is over this country and Thank God we have a born again Christian in the WH. The enemy will have his victories but he is being defeated in churches everywhere. Prayer warriors are critical in this fight.

Pray for GW and NY!

God Bless America

[A. Pole]

America's New Religiosity: God Bless America, But Don't You Dare Tell Us To Repent!

We hear often how this name "Operation Infinite Justice" is offensive to the Muslims. Somehow it is not being noticed that it might be offensive to someone INFINITELY more important - God Himself.

Yes, rather than usurping the place of Our Creator we should repent.