Ever since the November General Election I have considered many aspects about our country and even myself.
Who would have thought ten years ago that marijuana would have been legalized in certain states? Would you have believed 20 years ago that same-sex marriage would be considered the same as traditional marriage (in parts of the United States)? What comes next? Bestiality marriage?
Jamie Gardner
The moral state of America
How about 55 million babies aborted since 1973 and the ruling of Roe vs. Wade or roughly 3,322 abortions per day on average in the United States? As Brother Rick Brown said, in a recent revival message at Red Oak Baptist Church, the cure for cancer or aids could have been discovered by one of these babies. Or even consider that if one-third of these babies had been born and were taxpaying citizens, would we be in the financial condition we are in today?
In my opinion America is in steady deterioration morally as a nation. Not sure? Pick up a daily newspaper or turn on the television and watch the evening news. I have to ask…are we truly still a Christian nation?
The American public is constantly indoctrinated with what is wrong with Christianity. Again, turn on the evening news or pick up a daily newspaper. Mainstream media usually has a field day with the latest well-known Christian pastor who has committed some atrocious sin, but yet they never report on any positive influences Christianity has on our society. Why is this? Could it be because most reporters are the voice of their college professors; many that loathe Christianity and what it stands for? Don’t get me wrong there are still a few Christian colleges remaining that have not distorted the history of our country and I believe there are good professors at many other colleges across the country that do not influence and shape young minds with untruth and garbage. But, as with my college experience, they are few and far between.
While we are on the subject, what about Christians and the church in general in this country? As a body of believers, have we become nothing more than a social gathering, a place we go on Sunday morning to meet in a beautiful building that will serve no eternal purpose? Do we hoard money, build more buildings and brag about how much money we have in the bank only to watch those around us suffer and struggle, or even worse, refuse to give to missions to further spread the Gospel as Jesus commanded us to do? And before you say that I am not worthy to ask such questions, trust me, I am guilty myself of playing church, not taking care of the needy and much more. As stated from the onset of this article, I’ve reflected on my life too.
Many will probably say, “But that’s the pastor’s responsibility.” Hardly. In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells us that we are to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. Furthermore, when you compare a pastor as being the shepherd of his flock, can he produce sheep? No, only sheep produce sheep (see Brother Ronnie Rentz, I listen, thanks for the analogy).
How can we as Christians expect this country to be a Christian nation when we cannot even separate ourselves from the world and follow Christ’s example?
I attended one of the most beautiful Christian services I believe I’ve ever attended last week and it was right here in Baxley. The Christmas in the Park event, held last Wednesday evening at Water Works Park, brought people from all denominations and ethnic backgrounds together as one body to celebrate what is really important; to celebrate Jesus. There were a few hundred people in attendance, which is considered a large turnout by today’s standards. I thank and commend the City of Baxley and the Baxley-Appling County Chamber of Commerce for holding this event. But why is it that the city and chamber had to host this event? Is this how far we’ve come as a church body in Appling County that we are too threatened by another denomination to even consider doing something together as a body of believers? To be an example for non-believers? Can you imagine if several thousand had attended this event? I wonder how many non-believers would have stopped to see what was going on and what a wonderful opportunity to reach the lost this could have been.
As Christians I believe we have got to start making a difference if we would like to see a reversal of the moral direction of this country, state and even our own community. But how do we do that?
Here’s an idea. How about giving up a gift for Christ this Christmas? Consider taking some of your Christmas gift money, or ask others that would normally spend on you this Christmas to take their money, and give to a family that doesn’t have enough money to buy for their children this year or designate it to a worthy mission project or a local cause such as the United Way, Appling County Food Bank, Christmas in Action, 24/7 or the Boys and Girls Club of Appling County to name a few. Just imagine the impact you could have with such a simple gesture. I’d be willing to bet that the reward you receive from doing something like this would be better than a gift you probably don’t need anyway.
What will it take to wake us up as a nation? God, please continue to bless the USA.
In my opinion America is in steady deterioration morally as a nation. Not sure? Pick up a daily newspaper or turn on the television and watch the evening news. I have to ask…are we truly still a Christian nation?
The American public is constantly indoctrinated with what is wrong with Christianity. Again, turn on the evening news or pick up a daily newspaper. Mainstream media usually has a field day with the latest well-known Christian pastor who has committed some atrocious sin, but yet they never report on any positive influences Christianity has on our society. Why is this? Could it be because most reporters are the voice of their college professors; many that loathe Christianity and what it stands for? Don’t get me wrong there are still a few Christian colleges remaining that have not distorted the history of our country and I believe there are good professors at many other colleges across the country that do not influence and shape young minds with untruth and garbage. But, as with my college experience, they are few and far between.
While we are on the subject, what about Christians and the church in general in this country? As a body of believers, have we become nothing more than a social gathering, a place we go on Sunday morning to meet in a beautiful building that will serve no eternal purpose? Do we hoard money, build more buildings and brag about how much money we have in the bank only to watch those around us suffer and struggle, or even worse, refuse to give to missions to further spread the Gospel as Jesus commanded us to do? And before you say that I am not worthy to ask such questions, trust me, I am guilty myself of playing church, not taking care of the needy and much more. As stated from the onset of this article, I’ve reflected on my life too.
Many will probably say, “But that’s the pastor’s responsibility.” Hardly. In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells us that we are to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. Furthermore, when you compare a pastor as being the shepherd of his flock, can he produce sheep? No, only sheep produce sheep (see Brother Ronnie Rentz, I listen, thanks for the analogy).
How can we as Christians expect this country to be a Christian nation when we cannot even separate ourselves from the world and follow Christ’s example?
I attended one of the most beautiful Christian services I believe I’ve ever attended last week and it was right here in Baxley. The Christmas in the Park event, held last Wednesday evening at Water Works Park, brought people from all denominations and ethnic backgrounds together as one body to celebrate what is really important; to celebrate Jesus. There were a few hundred people in attendance, which is considered a large turnout by today’s standards. I thank and commend the City of Baxley and the Baxley-Appling County Chamber of Commerce for holding this event. But why is it that the city and chamber had to host this event? Is this how far we’ve come as a church body in Appling County that we are too threatened by another denomination to even consider doing something together as a body of believers? To be an example for non-believers? Can you imagine if several thousand had attended this event? I wonder how many non-believers would have stopped to see what was going on and what a wonderful opportunity to reach the lost this could have been.
As Christians I believe we have got to start making a difference if we would like to see a reversal of the moral direction of this country, state and even our own community. But how do we do that?
Here’s an idea. How about giving up a gift for Christ this Christmas? Consider taking some of your Christmas gift money, or ask others that would normally spend on you this Christmas to take their money, and give to a family that doesn’t have enough money to buy for their children this year or designate it to a worthy mission project or a local cause such as the United Way, Appling County Food Bank, Christmas in Action, 24/7 or the Boys and Girls Club of Appling County to name a few. Just imagine the impact you could have with such a simple gesture. I’d be willing to bet that the reward you receive from doing something like this would be better than a gift you probably don’t need anyway.
What will it take to wake us up as a nation? God, please continue to bless the USA.
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