November 5, 2008

• The Day After

  Here is an excellent “Breakpoint” commentary from Chuck Colson!

  Soberly, Bee

  The Day After
  
  Pray for Our President and Our Nation
  
  Chuck Colson

  November 5, 2008
  
  
  
  “Whether you voted for Barack Obama or John McCain, whether you’re
  recovering from your all-night celebration or drying the tears from
  your pillow, today’s a good day to remember the words of the apostle
  Paul: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession
  and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in
  authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness
  and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
  
  
  
  And the new President will surely need our prayers because he and his
  administration face huge, serious challenges to the health of our
  nation and to peace in the world—challenges that, in my opinion,
  neither he nor any government on earth will have the power to overcome
  without divine aid.
  
  
  
  How has America come to this point? Why is our economy on the brink of disaster? Why is our culture so utterly depraved?
  
  
  
  I can only think of what Alexandr Solzhenitsyn said about the
  catastrophic consequences of the Russian revolution. “I recall,” he
  said, “hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation
  for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: Men have forgotten
  God; that’s why all this has happened.”
  
  
  
  Solzhenitsyn was right. Indeed, I can’t find any better explanation for
  why we Americans find ourselves in the state we are in. We have
  forgotten God.
  
  
  
  We have also forgotten that American democracy—indeed Western
  Civilization itself—is the product of the Judeo-Christian understanding
  of God and humanity. Without that revelation that man is created in the
  image of God, our founders never would have recognized the unalienable
  rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Indeed, as I and
  others like Rodney Stark have argued, modern science and education,
  liberal democracy, capitalism flourished in Western civilization
  precisely because of the Judeo-Christian worldview.
  
  
  
  The attacks on Christianity these days are only going to intensify in
  the months ahead. But we must press on all the more to make a winsome
  witness. Those who would banish Christianity from American life are
  risking the very survival of American society.
  
  
  
  Friends have asked me whether this economic crisis is God’s judgment upon us. I don’t know.
  
  
  
  As I’ve re-read the Old Testament prophets recently, I couldn’t help
  but notice the recurring theme: The people of God turned away from Him
  and worshipped false idols. The result was always disaster.
  
  
  
  Is God responsible for credit markets collapsing around the world? No.
  We’re responsible. Because instead of worshiping God, we’ve worshipped
  false idols of the marketplace, credit card companies and cheap
  mortgages. We’ve put our own appetites over our duties to God and
  neighbor.
  
  
  
  So this is no time for Christians to go into the bunkers. No time to
  wail or moan over our retirement plans. This is a time to repent, to
  pray more, to give more. It’s a time for Christians to lead, encourage,
  and minister to a faltering country in a faltering economy.
  
  
  
  This is a time for the Church to get serious about Christian discipleship. Enough cheap grace.
  
  
  
  So pray for the new President and his administration. But most of all,
  my brothers and sisters, this is a time to love our neighbors and to
  hunger for God and His righteousness.”
  
  
  Article source:
  http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=7474

  • 2:04 pm
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