After the alarming bold declaration from our current President regarding his acceptance of the sin of homosexuality and same sex marriage, this author asked himself the question, “What can we do?” It seems that each dawn brings a new acceptance and tolerance for the deplorable sins that plague our nation. Christians often feel like the new minority and often appear to have their hands tied in such matters. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. The good Book affirms that “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). May I encouragingly suggest some things that we, as God’s children, must do?
Firstly, we must plead to our Father. When David was captured by the Philistines in Gath, he pined, “When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me” (Psalm 56:9). In one real sense, we are captured by the enemies of sin! When David’s heart was overwhelmed with problems and struggles, he cried unto God (Psalm 61:2). Brethren, we must recognize the state of our nation and the sins that so many are currently embracing. It is past time for our knees to be callused and our mouths to be dry as we plead to our Father to heal our nation and turn this country back to Him.
Secondly, we must perform our faith. James affirmed that for one to claim faith with the mouth and yet fail to carry it out in his daily life, his faith is dead (James 2:24-26). What can we do to “prove” our faith and our disdain for the sins that are currently bringing our country down? I am currently attempting to place three books in each of our county libraries. However, as I write this article, opposition is ever present. The three titles are: “Does God Love Michael’s Two Daddies?” (To combat homosexuality and same-sex marriage); “Dinosaurs Unleashed” (To combat evolution); and “Why I am a Member of the church of Christ” (to combat denominationalism). Please pray for this endeavor, as the opposition will no doubt become stronger. We also can busy ourselves by leaving biblical tracts (especially on the sin of homosexuality) in doctor’s offices, hospitals and other public places. Let’s perform what we really believe!
Thirdly, we must persist to the finish. No matter how seemingly widespread the sins of our nation appear to be, we as God’s people must endure and persist. We cannot allow these matters to depress us, or dampen our joy (Philippians 4:4). We can still rejoice, knowing that God will even everything out in a future judgment. We must echo the apostle Paul’s words, “For me to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:21). We are here upon this earth for the purpose of glorifying God! We can never allow our circumstances to steal our joy (James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
While it is true that we are living in sinful times, we are still expected to be the light of the world and salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-16). Brethren, if we ever needed light and salt, the time is surely now. Let’s each daily plead to our Father, boldly perform our faith and diligently persist to the finish. “Heaven will surely be worth it all”!
