BEWARE OF TOLERANCE

“I have this against you:
You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess.
By her teaching she misleads my servants…”
(Revelation 2:19)

We live in a world of political correctness.  And in the name of political correctness we are taught to be tolerant of everyone.  There’s one problem, though.  Our culture has redefined the word, tolerance.  In the past, Webster defined tolerance as “bearing with or putting up with someone or something not especially liked.”  And in that sense, the Bible encourages us to “bear with one another” in love.

But tolerance means something completely different today.  Most of the time you hear the tolerance doctrine taught in the world today, whether in schools or in the media, it means that we are to accept all values, beliefs, lifestyles and truth-claims as equal.  Spanish philosopher, Fernando Savitir put it this way, “Tolerance…means that all opinions are equal.  Each one has its point and there is no way to distinguish between them.”

Beware!  Jesus actually came down strongly on a church in Revelation for being “tolerant.”  They were tolerating a false-prophet in their midst who was teaching false truth-claims and leading people into immorality.  Jesus did not have very nice words to say about this false-prophet.  You can read it in Revelation 2:20-25.  Obviously Jesus was not worried about political correctness.  If He were here today in the flesh, He would be accused of intolerance. 

Here’s the catch:  when it comes to people, we are indeed to be loving and gracious toward others, bearing with things we don’t like.  But when it comes to truth and holiness, we dare not tolerate sin or compromise God’s holy standards.  God’s Word is our standard.  It is absolute truth!

Loving? – ALWAYS!   Tolerant of sin and unbiblical values? – NO!  It’s time for Christians today to stand up for truth and righteousness in America!

Heavenly Father,
You are absolute truth!  Your Word is true!
Thank-you for revealing Yourself and Your will to us.
Give me the courage to stand up for truth and righteousness.
At the same time, may I also reflect Your love and grace!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

GOD BLESS AMERICA

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord…”
(Psalm 33:12)

This weekend, we celebrate Independence Day.  It was 233 years ago – July 4^th, 1776 – that our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and declared our freedom from British rule.  Today, there is some debate whether America is a “Christian” nation or not.  But, it is an undeniable fact that our founding fathers believed in God and America was founded on Christian principles.  Take a look at a few quotes from some of the men who signed our Declaration of Independence… 

• “God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever….”  (Thomas Jefferson, author) 
• “Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. … Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us.” (John Hancock, first signer) 
• “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity. I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”   (John Adams, signer) 
• “Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped. (Benjamin Franklin, signer) 
• “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” (Patrick Henry, signer) 

Of course, we are all familiar with the words in the opening of the Declaration of Independence itself, but take a look at the closing words, as well… 

• “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  (beginning) 
• And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.”  (closing)

The first President of the United States was a Christian, as well.  His words are a good reminder for all of us…

• “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.” (George Washington, first President.)

Clearly, our founding fathers believed in God.  Clearly, America was founded on Christian principles.  As you celebrate the “fourth” this weekend; celebrate our Christian heritage, as well.  May God bless America!

 Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this great nation in which we live,
and for Your many blessings on America over the past 233 years.
We pray for revival in our nation!
May Your Holy Spirit draw us back to Yourself!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

WHAT AMERICA NEEDS MOST

“If my people who are called by my name,

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

(II Chronicles 7:14)

 

What do we need most in America?  More corporate bailouts?  Another economic stimulus package?  More credit?  Tax relief?  Health care reform?  Public education reform?  A complete overhaul of our leadership in Washington?  A new political party?  Are any of these really the answer to America’s greatest need?  I don’t think so!

I believe our greatest need isn’t economic or political or even moral by itself. Our greatest need in America is spiritual.  Although our country was founded on a Judeo-Christian value system, we have strayed far from our roots.  What we need most in America is genuine revival!

But, what is revival?  There are a lot of misconceptions about revival floating around today.  But, the word comes from the Latin, “viva,” which means “life.”  Revival is a resurgence or renewal of life.  By definition, then, revival presupposes a spark of life to begin with.  In other words, “revival” is about God’s people.  It’s about a renewal of spiritual life in Christians, rather than evangelizing the lost.  That’s exactly what II Chronicles 7:14 implies – “If my people who are called by my name…”

According to that same verse, the result of revival is God’s healing of our land.  Isn’t that exactly what we want and need in America?  Absolutely!  But, did you catch the four prerequisites to God’s healing?  Those four prerequisites sum up genuine revival…

·         Humility

·         Prayer

·         Seeking God

·         Repentance

Wow!  Is it even possible?  Could we ever see genuine revival in America again?  Remember, nothing is impossible with God.  May it begin in each of us, myself included.

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

We need revival in America.  May it begin with me.

I confess my own pride and selfishness, and my sin and disobedience.

Please plant within my heart a genuine desire for a deeper relationship with You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.