Thots On "What's Happening"

What’s happening in our country?  What’s happening in our churches?  Things seem to be bleak, indeed.  News reports today indicate a slipping of morality, an alternative attack approach to social morals by liberals, and an exodus from our churches by graduating teens.  Add to that the reports that even political candidates are declaring that Jesus would support fetal stem-cell research (as though he were the theologian-in-charge).  What’s happening?

I have a theory.  I’m a Southern Baptist by denomination, but a Christian and Bible student by practice.  My theology is very conservative, fundamental or what have you.  But my practice (at least I try to be) is radical – for that is what the Bible calls for.  I’m not radical like the Muslim extremist terrorist, killing those who disagree.  I’m radical in that I believe that my faith should affect my every choice in life.  That’s who I am – so you’ll understand the basis of my theory.  I believe the country is putting their Bibles on the shelf and is on theological thin ice by choice.  We have incorporated all sorts of extra-biblical ideas and superimposed them upon the Scriptures so we can try to make ourselves comfortable.  We don’t want to confront others who call themselves “Christians” when their lives and the Bible don’t line up – instead, we simply “pray they’ll see the light.”  It has become socially acceptable, even expected, that young people will fall morally – because that is the example set first by our media (and we don’t demand changes, we keep watching it), then by our own lives.  There was a time when a person would be ashamed of moral failures.  Today, it has become a rite of passage.  

But morality is not all.  The conservative Christian has failed spiritually, rejecting the practices of personal Bible study, scripture memory, prayer, and doctrinal study.  These activities form the foundation of our faith.  Without them, we have nothing more than simple religion which can be changed like a garment.  These activities ground the Believer so he doesn’t “blow with the wind” to every doctrine that comes along.  We must spiritually anchor our souls in Christ or we’ll be all over the place.  Going to church Sunday mornings and evenings, Wednesday nights, etc. will help; but by itself, it isn’t enough.  We need to feed our minds with the Truth more than the lies that fly over the airwaves of the TV and radio.  

Bottom line is this – and my theory is held up in Scripture – we are experiencing a “falling away” from the faith because the end is so near.  

2Thessalonians 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

And so I thank the Lord that there are those in my church who are serious about doing the will of God, sharing the gospel, and trying to warn our community of what is to come.  I am very thankful that I do not stand alone in this effort.  Will you join me?