The following article was published in 1981, but is remains fresh in 2023.
Since Jehovah rules in the kingdoms of men (Daniel 4:25) and in His sight “the nations are as the drop of a bucket” (Isaiah 40:15), we must face up to our immediate responsibilities if we are to preserve America. In one of the most familiar statements regarding national concern, James Russell Lowell declared,
“Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide. In the strife of Truth and Falsehood, for the good or evil side.”
An impartial appraisal of American degeneracy demands that godly citizens awaken, arise and meet the challenge before us. In 1940, in one of his fireside chats, Franklin Roosevelt made this monumental statement that is so apropos today,
“We build and defend not for our generation alone. We defend the foundations laid by our fathers. We build a way of life for generation· yet unborn. We defend and we build a way of life, not for America alone, but for all mankind,”
Those even remotely conversant with the decline and fall of the Roman Empire and the parallels in world affairs today ought to be convinced that now is the hour to stand up, speak out and help save America.
So many people in the world are looking to us for guidance, maturity and leadership in the crises of life. However, presently, we are a great disappointment to many friends of the past due to the rebellion and immorality of a whole generation of our citizenry. Will it be said of us, as it was of Rome, that “our vicious lives alone have conquered us” and “there is more wickedness being committed than can be counted.” Truly, America is on the verge of committing suicide even as we race to the moon!
What can we do to stem the tide of reprehensible conduct that will eventuate in hell? There are several things we must restore if America is ever to be strong again.
(1) Godliness In Our Homes
(2) Respect for Authority
(3) Bible Preaching
(4) Evangelistic Zeal
(5) Personal Purity
In the final analysis, the real salvation of any nation is the personal integrity of individual citizens. There is no substitute for purity and virtue and Christ-likeness. It is in this area that America is suffocating. Our morals are at an all-time low ebb. Can God allow our age of nudity, filth, licentiousness and adultery to long endure? When shall we awaken to the satanic influences we have created, allowed and catered to? There must be a major backlash on behalf of decency and common sense or we shall, as a nation, crumble into the dust. Truly, “a monstrous contest of wickedness is going on” and only the pristine beauty of Christianity can overwhelm its odious charms. Unless a deep spiritual surge comes soon, the carnality of America will bring sudden and sure decay. What a tragedy should our epitaph read,
“Here lies America … a nation that died for the lack of righteousness by its citizenry . . . Where were the Christians?”
But across the centuries and the meandering scenes of time, the voice of the Christ firmly cries, “Follow Me.” Our destiny-now and eternally-will depend upon our response to that plea.
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