IT’S TIME TO TAKE A STAND IN AMERICA
It is a deciding time in the United States of America. Never before has our nation been so divided on issues regarding our moral heritage and foundational freedoms. The righteous history with which America was founded is at risk. Our nation is divided much like the days of Elijah in 1 Kings 18:21, which says, “why are you caught between two opinions?” It seems that about half of the nation wants to maintain our moral heritage while the other half wants to abolish God from society altogether. Then somewhere in the middle many sway back and forth unsure of what they stand for.
Like Nineveh, many Americans no longer know their right hand from their left hand. Sadly, the majority of Americans say they are Christians but we can see by the moral decline that this is a crucial time for Christians to do more than just say they are Christians, but stand up and live like it. Too many of us are silent and don’t want to get involved. Many have embraced a lie concerning the separation of church and state. The intention of our founding forefathers was not to keep the influence of God and the church out of government affairs. In fact, if you study history you can see that they whole heartedly embraced the involvement of God and Christianity in the guidance of the country. They wanted the state to be separate from the church so government couldn’t control the voice of influence of the church or infringe upon the rights of the people to worship and proclaim God freely. Now, the exact opposite is happening, the church is pulling out of the state and the state is trying to control the church.
Jesus said to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. This statement teaches us that every Christian has both a civil responsibility and a spiritual responsibility. We can’t just pray only without also being a voice in the civil, economic, educational, social and financial arenas. On the other hand Christians should not just involve themselves solely in these secular areas and hardly ever pray. Turning this nation back to God and righteousness will require us to act both in the spiritual and in the natural realm. We cannot be silent or think it is the responsibility of someone else to defend our righteous heritage and moral freedoms in America. We can see from history the dangers caused by the few who speak out to promote an evil agenda and have often prevailed because the moral majority remains silent. The cry of righteousness must be louder than the cry of evil or we will never change the nation.
In Exodus 32, Aaron compromised as he stood in the priest’s office because he didn’t speak out against sin or stand for righteousness. He allowed that which was false to go unchallenged. In fact, he even allowed himself to participate in the sinful activities. However the prophet Elijah responded very differently to the evil activity of his day. In 1 Kings 18, he boldly challenged the enemies of the Lord. The prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel cried for their false god to answer by fire. They did all they could to promote a lie. They prophesied, shouted, dressed up their sacrifice, and cried, but there was no answer. Today the secular world is dressing up a lie and society remains void of having any answers. Even in the church we prophesy, shout, and at times, dress it up a façade. We cry but still there is no fire of revival. It will take the same thing that it took for Elijah, a man who stood boldly and became a fearless voice, putting his own life on the line. The reason God answered Elijah was because of his great sacrifice. He was so on the cutting edge that He poured water on the altar during a time of great drought. Water was unimaginably scarce therefore it was an incredible sacrifice made for the purpose of upholding the torch of righteousness.
During this election year, we once again have the awesome opportunity to let our voice be heard. We can take a bold stand for what is right. It cannot be someone else’s responsibility, but it is your responsibility. In past elections, many believers made the sad choice to stay home or go to the movies. However, I believe this election will be different as the Spirit of the Lord is stirring the hearts of men and women in the church to rise up with new fervor and speak out.
What are you willing to do this election to lay your life down and sacrifice; to let your voice be heard that God may send revival fires and bring righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost to America? Do your part in the nation. Begin by voting, praying for the nation and then boldly stand up for righteous issues when they are threatened. You are a voice, so allow your voice to be heard!
Get out and vote – vote righteousness!