We live in an age of decadent moral confusion, and God-fearing Christians should never give place to our ever-present-adversary: the devil. Unfortunately, it seems as though the “adversary” knows more scriptures than Christians (church-goers). The devil tempted Jesus with material things and intangibles (Matthew 4:1-11). Questions: Is it because church goers cannot read? Is it because church-goers are lazy (indifferent) and do not want to read? Or is it because churchgoers want to be told what to do (believe) and not know for themselves what the word of God truly says? This is why: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.” (3 John 1: 2-3).
We have too many so-called Christian believers in America who are talking the talk, but not willing to walk the walk. As a Christian Faith-Walker, I personally would rather see a sermon than to hear a sermon. But, “What” a joy divine it would be to experience both together as word and action in the truth of God. The ultimate role of the church is to help make life real in the “Living Word” in the communities which they reside. This is the reason why Jesus established the church upon “Peter’s faith in Jesus” without ever building a physical structure (church house). “For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man, but he that built all things is God.” (Hebrews 3: 3-4).
With all of the confusion in “universal” humanity, (families, churches, educational institutions, and nation-states) beware my fellow Americans: “For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation…” (Hebrews 2: 2-3). And, to be sure, Christians should not receive the grace of God in vain, because “For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Individuals should never become so “intelligent and puffed-up” until they out smart themselves (blow-up), because “Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11: 28). This is what all Christians should practice: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11). Therefore, this writer’s knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33). If you are not a saint, you should be a saint in God. Get right, do right and live right in the word of God.
All of us must come to a clear spiritual understanding of the importance of Jesus Christ’s life whether Jew or Gentile, Protestant or Catholic, Black or White or male or female, because it is written: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5: 24). The essence of Jesus’s spiritual importance is recorded in (1 Peter 2: 24-25) “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” (1 Peter 2: 24-25).
Again, we live in difficult morally decadent times. Indeed, American society is in spiritual and moral “free fall” decline. But, regardless of the times in the bye and bye….: “For we must all appear before the judgment of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5: 10).
America needs to become the nation that God has called her to be, and embrace spiritually what the founding fathers envisioned. Americans talk that talk concerning “justice and mercy” proclaiming “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”. These sacred words are inscribed on the Statute of Liberty. Question: Do we really desire to live-up to this sacred declaration? For if an individual fears losing his life, he has already lost it. Creative living requires courage. Jesus said it best: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14: 27-28). Some Americans, especially some Bible-belt-Christians need a strong dose of spiritual-backbone, and I pray to God that this scriptural reference provides the antidote to their fears. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19: 14). Is the declaration “Give me your tired and poor” simply empty words? Or is it sounding brass and tinkling symbols?
Let every American come in humility before God’s throne of grace, loving-kindness, and mercy that we might find the spiritual strength to help in time of “great” need, because “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humility.” (Proverbs 15:33). More importantly, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4: 16). Christian Americans this scripture describes who we are! If you talk the talk, you should be able to walk the Christian-walk as a Faith-Walker.
In conclusion of the whole matter, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” (James 1: 22-25). Selah!