Jesus pointed out that a kingdom (nation) divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). We Americans seem to be divided as never before. This time it is not between warring denominations but rather between Christianity and Secularism. The issue is simple, Jesus stated, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Matthew 12:30).
Today, as often happens with individuals and nations, America stands at the crossroads in our historical journey through time. We are faced with the choice of which road we shall take in our journey into the future. America, as a country, began our journey as a "Christian nation," in contrast to, for example, a Hindu, Shinto, pagan, theistic, or atheistic nation.
In the first century AD (in the year of our Lord), the Grecian culture reigned supreme in the birthplace of Christianity. Even the humanistic Romans adopted the gods of Mt. Olympus, but Western Civilization rejected their polytheism for the monotheism of Christianity. It was our efforts to apply the morality of the Bible (Romans 16:17) in our culture that raised the stature of women (Ephesians 5:22-32) and abolished that peculiar institution called slavery (Matthew 7:12).
There are two forces in the world, and in our lives for that matter: good and evil, right and wrong, God and Satan. Without God's Word to determine the ultimate decision of right and wrong (Romans 1:17), we (as individuals and nations) tend to justify our actions and color our decisions. As in certain periods in the history of God's people, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 17:6 21:25). Jeremiah pointed out "I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).
Our social engineering has reduced America from, "the great generation" to the lost generation. We have come from the world's greatest super power to just another power. The family structure (as God directed in Ephesians 5:22-6:4) has been fractured and all but destroyed by man's so called "wisdom." God has been expelled from our schools, our courts, and our lives. Adultery and fornication are accepted as normal and homosexualism is the wave of the future.
America was the "promised land" for Western Civilization. It was in deed, "the land of the free and the home of the brave," with liberty and justice for all (black or white, red or yellow), as the founder intended. Our decision is simple -- shall we continue down the road of secularism, or shall we turn back to the America that was? Shall we not stand in the way, as Jeremiah of old (Jeremiah 6:14-16), and ask for the old paths, which is the good way, and find rest for our souls?
When Joshua, the leader of Israel after Moses, had possessed the promised land, he gathered Israel at Shechem, asked them to make a choice as to what gods they would serve. He then stated, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). The question for each of us today, is simple. Where do you stand?
Dale I. Royal, Elk City OK
