I think the Ignorant Fisherman is right on. But I would say this (and I’m sure he’d agree) the scripture says that judgement must begin at the house of the Lord and in another place Paul says that it is through many tribulations and trials that we enter the Kingdom of God. The real repentance must begin with the Christians. It is we that need to be the first to step out and deny self, show humility and love and bear the yoke of training - take out the log from your eye so you can see the splinter in your brother’s eye. This is impossible apart from the work of God’s Holy Spirit. By going through difficulties we get our rough edges rounded off a little, become less argumentative and better listeners and less self-righteous and more like our Savior. Loving people that have gone through the fires of trials are quick to hear, slow to speak and even slower to judge. We have to strike a balance between truth and grace. God’s truth is settled and we dare not compromise it - but we shouldn’t beat them over the head with it either. Grace is important too because ALL of us need(ed) it and none of us deserve it. But grace apart from truth will never confront sin in our own lives or in the lives of others. Only the Holy Spirit working in the heart of an obedient believer can strike the necessary balance between these two truths.
Our problems in America are almost all problems of the heart - morality - but no one wants to go there or really deal with it. The Ignorant Fisherman is correct - there is no political or economic solution. We need those but they are not the first things. There may be nothing that turns our nation around. We probably will go from bad to worse. It seems we have gone beyond the tipping point. It’s very possible that sever persecution is coming to Christians. Look what has been happening in other nations to believers. I’m reminded of the hymn “Am I a Soldier of the Cross” where it says, “Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease while others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?” When all the do do starts happening and Christians are seen as people that go out of their way to help and love others at great cost to themselves as the world dumps their hatred upon us, the lost of this world will notice. Not all of them - but some will and maybe in the process some will come to love Christ because they see Him in us. Isn’t that better than all the scripture throwing, hand wringing and self righteousness attitudes that characterize so much of modern American Christianity? I’m not accusing anyone here but I’ve heard so many times from people that aren’t Christians that this is what turns many of them off. And really, there are a lot of people - and I’m talking Christians or so called Christians - that want America to be “saved” so they can go on with their “lifestyle” and pursue their selfish goals only throwing a bone in God’s direction once in awhile. All that has to end and hard times are often a good way to accomplish it. I don’t want to suffer anymore than anyone else but if it is what it takes to be that living sacrifice…
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
By the way here’s a great video - especially if you’re Jewish but it’s good for everybody as well. It’s in Hebrew with English subtitles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UedSobu_HF8
Very well put.
GOD bless.