Madeline Crabb
America: One nation under God? Part 3
By Madeline Crabb
What is America's standing with God? We have been discussing whether America is still the "one nation under God" referenced in the words from the Pledge of Allegiance, the same pledge most Americans have been reciting for decades. Again, the Pledge in its entirety:
Are we a divided republic? Unfortunately, yes. Is there liberty and justice for all? Not really. Our out-of-control Federal Government has worked overtime in destroying the foundations of these United States. They have used powers not delegated to them to unravel our core beliefs. Do We the People want a divided America? Again, call me naïve, but the answer is no. Do we truly believe in liberty and justice for all? Yes, but not from the government. The Declaration of Independence states: "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." Our life and liberty come from God, not man. Whatever man gives, he can also take away. But in America, man is also attempting to strip-away our God-given gifts.
So again, is America still the one nation under God to which we have so long pledged our allegiance? Absolutely! We can deny and denounce God, mock and marginalize Him, but He still reigns over America. There is absolutely NOTHING that any elected official or judge can do to change this reality. The government can strip us of everything we own, deny us our constitutional rights, and even threaten us into silence if we let it. God will even allow these and other bad things to happen to us. But the Bible teaches us that God is the Ruler over all. "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him." (Col. 1:16 NIV) Furthermore, we are told that nothing in all creation can hide from Him. (Heb. 4:13)
The question that now remains is what are we going to do about our future? Americans are plagued both individually and collectively with mounting problems, most of which were caused by the government officials we have often haphazardly elected. Instead of assuming personal responsibility for our problems, or seeking help from our families or churches, far too many have expected the government to fix our every woe. Instead of bowing before God's throne, and seeking answers and direction for our individual and collective lives, we have bowed before the throne of government. But what's this got to do with our subject? Sadly, we are giving man glory and importance that belong only to God.
America owes everything to God. As we previously discussed, our Founding Fathers believed in the God of the Bible, and freely gave praise and thanks to Him. They also acknowledged Him in our founding documents, and wanting to ensure that future generations of Americans were able to freely worship God, they put freedom of worship into the first amendment of the original Bill of Rights. These are facts. But are we openly and unabashedly worshiping and honoring God? As a nation, the answer is pretty obvious when our president travels the world denying the God of our creation. The leftist/communist/Marxist/progressive forces have been loud, forceful, and frightening to the point that even Bible-believing Christians have become all but silent. We have come to the point of fearing man more than God, which is extremely dangerous.
Those who oppose God and want to silence Christians are our enemies. Those who claim that there are many ways to God are liars. It seems politically correct to be all inclusive, but the Bible tells us that God is a jealous God. (Deut. 4: 24) And in the first of the Ten Commandments, God says, "You shall have no other gods before me." (Ex. 20: 3 NIV) Yes, in America we have the freedom to worship anyone or anything we want to worship, but as a nation, we belong to the God of the Bible.
As we previously established, man instinctively knows who God is, for God "has put this knowledge in our hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever to not knowing God. (Rom. 1:19-20 NLT) Look at all the wonderful attributes of this great country. We are blessed beyond measure. So why don't we, as a nation, give God the thanks and honor He deserves? Well, we know why...we've already discussed it.
So what? What if we continue to distance ourselves from God? The Bible says, "Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead." (Rom. 1:21-22 NLT) We are told that God allowed them to believe lies, and He eventually abandoned them to their shameful desires. (Rom.1: 24-25) Because they refused to acknowledge God, and did things that should never be done, their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip." (Rom. 1: 28-29.) Sound familiar? There is more...
We are told such people are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful, and are forever inventing new ways of sinning; they are disobedient to their parents; and they refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving. (Rom. 1: 30-31.) Just turn on the TV to see all of this being demonstrated. (And watching this excrement is what we call entertainment.)
Much of our nation resembles the people described in the first chapter of Romans. In chapter two, God judges these people. And He may be getting ready to judge America as well. Rest assured, there will be judgment, because God is a just God. (Deut. 8:20) At the very least, He can lift His hand of protection, which may already be happening. We must remember there are always consequences for our actions, for us as individuals, and for our nation. Will we wake-up and act in time to save ourselves and America? The consequences of not doing so are unfathomable. Let's consider what God told Israel.
Speaking to the Jews, Moses said, "If you fully obey the Lord your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings:
God calls the children of Israel His chosen ones. He promises to bless them if they follow and obey Him, but is willing to curse them if they choose to go their own way and disobey. And dear fellow Americans, if God is willing to curse His chosen people, don't you think He will do the same to us?
Only God knows how long, and how many times He has tried to get our attention and draw us unto Him. But far too many of us are "wise in our own eyes" and have failed to understand we are on very dangerous ground with God. As a nation, perhaps we have become "too big for our britches." As we can discern from just the few Bible passages referenced in this article, God will one day declare that He has had enough of our irreverence and rebellion. Only He knows what judgment will be issued, or whether some of our current trials and tribulations are judgment.
As the Pledge of Allegiance states, the flag stands for our republic that is one nation under God. We can acknowledge or deny our God, obey or rebel. The results are either blessings of curses – our choice. What will it be, America? To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
August 5, 2013
What is America's standing with God? We have been discussing whether America is still the "one nation under God" referenced in the words from the Pledge of Allegiance, the same pledge most Americans have been reciting for decades. Again, the Pledge in its entirety:
-
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Are we a divided republic? Unfortunately, yes. Is there liberty and justice for all? Not really. Our out-of-control Federal Government has worked overtime in destroying the foundations of these United States. They have used powers not delegated to them to unravel our core beliefs. Do We the People want a divided America? Again, call me naïve, but the answer is no. Do we truly believe in liberty and justice for all? Yes, but not from the government. The Declaration of Independence states: "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." Our life and liberty come from God, not man. Whatever man gives, he can also take away. But in America, man is also attempting to strip-away our God-given gifts.
So again, is America still the one nation under God to which we have so long pledged our allegiance? Absolutely! We can deny and denounce God, mock and marginalize Him, but He still reigns over America. There is absolutely NOTHING that any elected official or judge can do to change this reality. The government can strip us of everything we own, deny us our constitutional rights, and even threaten us into silence if we let it. God will even allow these and other bad things to happen to us. But the Bible teaches us that God is the Ruler over all. "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him." (Col. 1:16 NIV) Furthermore, we are told that nothing in all creation can hide from Him. (Heb. 4:13)
The question that now remains is what are we going to do about our future? Americans are plagued both individually and collectively with mounting problems, most of which were caused by the government officials we have often haphazardly elected. Instead of assuming personal responsibility for our problems, or seeking help from our families or churches, far too many have expected the government to fix our every woe. Instead of bowing before God's throne, and seeking answers and direction for our individual and collective lives, we have bowed before the throne of government. But what's this got to do with our subject? Sadly, we are giving man glory and importance that belong only to God.
America owes everything to God. As we previously discussed, our Founding Fathers believed in the God of the Bible, and freely gave praise and thanks to Him. They also acknowledged Him in our founding documents, and wanting to ensure that future generations of Americans were able to freely worship God, they put freedom of worship into the first amendment of the original Bill of Rights. These are facts. But are we openly and unabashedly worshiping and honoring God? As a nation, the answer is pretty obvious when our president travels the world denying the God of our creation. The leftist/communist/Marxist/progressive forces have been loud, forceful, and frightening to the point that even Bible-believing Christians have become all but silent. We have come to the point of fearing man more than God, which is extremely dangerous.
Those who oppose God and want to silence Christians are our enemies. Those who claim that there are many ways to God are liars. It seems politically correct to be all inclusive, but the Bible tells us that God is a jealous God. (Deut. 4: 24) And in the first of the Ten Commandments, God says, "You shall have no other gods before me." (Ex. 20: 3 NIV) Yes, in America we have the freedom to worship anyone or anything we want to worship, but as a nation, we belong to the God of the Bible.
As we previously established, man instinctively knows who God is, for God "has put this knowledge in our hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever to not knowing God. (Rom. 1:19-20 NLT) Look at all the wonderful attributes of this great country. We are blessed beyond measure. So why don't we, as a nation, give God the thanks and honor He deserves? Well, we know why...we've already discussed it.
So what? What if we continue to distance ourselves from God? The Bible says, "Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead." (Rom. 1:21-22 NLT) We are told that God allowed them to believe lies, and He eventually abandoned them to their shameful desires. (Rom.1: 24-25) Because they refused to acknowledge God, and did things that should never be done, their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip." (Rom. 1: 28-29.) Sound familiar? There is more...
We are told such people are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful, and are forever inventing new ways of sinning; they are disobedient to their parents; and they refuse to understand, break their promises, and are heartless and unforgiving. (Rom. 1: 30-31.) Just turn on the TV to see all of this being demonstrated. (And watching this excrement is what we call entertainment.)
Much of our nation resembles the people described in the first chapter of Romans. In chapter two, God judges these people. And He may be getting ready to judge America as well. Rest assured, there will be judgment, because God is a just God. (Deut. 8:20) At the very least, He can lift His hand of protection, which may already be happening. We must remember there are always consequences for our actions, for us as individuals, and for our nation. Will we wake-up and act in time to save ourselves and America? The consequences of not doing so are unfathomable. Let's consider what God told Israel.
Speaking to the Jews, Moses said, "If you fully obey the Lord your God by keeping all the commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will exalt you above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings:
-
You will be blessed in your towns and in the country.
You will be blessed with many children and productive fields.
You will be blessed with fertile herds and flocks.
You will be blessed with baskets overflowing with fruit, and with
kneading bowls filled with bread.
You will be blessed wherever you go, both in coming and in going.
(Deut. 28: 1-6 NLT)
-
You will be cursed in your towns and in the country.
You will be cursed with baskets empty of fruit, and with
Kneading bowls empty of bread.
You will be cursed with few children and barren fields.
You will be cursed with infertile herds and flocks.
You will be cursed wherever you go, both in coming and in going.
(Deut. 28: 15-19 NLT)
God calls the children of Israel His chosen ones. He promises to bless them if they follow and obey Him, but is willing to curse them if they choose to go their own way and disobey. And dear fellow Americans, if God is willing to curse His chosen people, don't you think He will do the same to us?
Only God knows how long, and how many times He has tried to get our attention and draw us unto Him. But far too many of us are "wise in our own eyes" and have failed to understand we are on very dangerous ground with God. As a nation, perhaps we have become "too big for our britches." As we can discern from just the few Bible passages referenced in this article, God will one day declare that He has had enough of our irreverence and rebellion. Only He knows what judgment will be issued, or whether some of our current trials and tribulations are judgment.
As the Pledge of Allegiance states, the flag stands for our republic that is one nation under God. We can acknowledge or deny our God, obey or rebel. The results are either blessings of curses – our choice. What will it be, America? To anyone willing to hear....
© Madeline Crabb
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