AMERICA IS COMING OFF A ROCK STAR HIGH
By Paul Proctor
July 15, 2009
NewsWithViews.com
If you’re a person not given to biblical teaching or scriptural warnings about the “signs of the times” – and are among those who gaze at the news each day with joy in your heart and tears in your eyes at the media-marketed image of “hope” that has come to offer “change we can believe in,” I realize all too well that trying to persuade you otherwise right now is a lot like trying to reason with a rock star’s fan club on opening night. You’re caught up in the moment. You’re savoring the high and no one’s going to steal your buzz. I get that…
So, this message is not for you. It is for those who can see through the smoke and mirrors, that the star of the show is already stumbling and stammering on the world stage – an act coming apart – and the great national hangover that is certain to follow.
When faith and hope are misplaced, discouragement and disappointment are inevitable. As we’ve witnessed again and again, reigning rock stars eventually fall from their thrones leaving fans to face the frailties, failings and foolishness of a man-made god. It’s no different with politicians.
When we fawn at the feet of those who tell us what we want to hear rather than kneel at the cross of the One who tells us what we need to hear, disillusionment is unavoidable because, in our deceitful world, facts and feelings don’t always intersect. But when that disillusionment finally arrives and hard times come, Christians must be ready to speak the truth without fear or hesitation and point the way to Jesus Christ – the “strait gate” and “narrow way” that leads to life. (Matthew 7:14)
The church today is ineffective because we have, for too long, avoided sharing that truth in the interest of “tolerance, diversity and unity” – the “wide gate” and “broad way” that the Bible says leads to destruction. Blinded, bound, distracted and driven by the “blessings” of comfort, convenience, abundance and acceptance, we have exchanged godly conviction for group therapy and the praise of our peers, rendering many of us unable or unwilling to discern the urgency of the hour.
But I believe that’s all going to change. A rogue wave of reality will see to that.
When real fear, confusion and violence come to main street America, people will again cry out for deliverance. They always do. Christians need to stand ready and bear witness to the saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ alone and proclaim His Gospel like never before, lest those around us look for salvation elsewhere and place their trust in another false god who rides in on a white horse to save the day.
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear…” – 1st Peter 3:14-15
By Paul Proctor
July 15, 2009
NewsWithViews.com
If you’re a person not given to biblical teaching or scriptural warnings about the “signs of the times” – and are among those who gaze at the news each day with joy in your heart and tears in your eyes at the media-marketed image of “hope” that has come to offer “change we can believe in,” I realize all too well that trying to persuade you otherwise right now is a lot like trying to reason with a rock star’s fan club on opening night. You’re caught up in the moment. You’re savoring the high and no one’s going to steal your buzz. I get that…
So, this message is not for you. It is for those who can see through the smoke and mirrors, that the star of the show is already stumbling and stammering on the world stage – an act coming apart – and the great national hangover that is certain to follow.
When faith and hope are misplaced, discouragement and disappointment are inevitable. As we’ve witnessed again and again, reigning rock stars eventually fall from their thrones leaving fans to face the frailties, failings and foolishness of a man-made god. It’s no different with politicians.
When we fawn at the feet of those who tell us what we want to hear rather than kneel at the cross of the One who tells us what we need to hear, disillusionment is unavoidable because, in our deceitful world, facts and feelings don’t always intersect. But when that disillusionment finally arrives and hard times come, Christians must be ready to speak the truth without fear or hesitation and point the way to Jesus Christ – the “strait gate” and “narrow way” that leads to life. (Matthew 7:14)
The church today is ineffective because we have, for too long, avoided sharing that truth in the interest of “tolerance, diversity and unity” – the “wide gate” and “broad way” that the Bible says leads to destruction. Blinded, bound, distracted and driven by the “blessings” of comfort, convenience, abundance and acceptance, we have exchanged godly conviction for group therapy and the praise of our peers, rendering many of us unable or unwilling to discern the urgency of the hour.
But I believe that’s all going to change. A rogue wave of reality will see to that.
When real fear, confusion and violence come to main street America, people will again cry out for deliverance. They always do. Christians need to stand ready and bear witness to the saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ alone and proclaim His Gospel like never before, lest those around us look for salvation elsewhere and place their trust in another false god who rides in on a white horse to save the day.
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear…” – 1st Peter 3:14-15
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