CHRISTIAN HERITAGE
IS THREATENED
INTRODUCTION
Christian heritage is threatened through an issue encompassing the cultural/societal decline of spiritual traditions. Depending on the region, these threats present themselves in drastically different ways. There are ongoing culture wars involving the separation of church and state, with some viewing the secularization of society as a threat to heritage, with some actively seeking to resist the influence of Christian nationalism.
Our Christian heritage is threatened by forces of evil that seek to overpower, weaken, or eliminate Christian influence; with rulings and laws made to strip away previous held rights established a long time ago.
Christian Heritage is Threatened
Waiver in Commitment
A reason why our Christian heritage is threatened: If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity (Daniel Webster).
There are nations, of a Christian origin, that no longer possess the same standing as before; having departed from their commitment to God, allowing ungodliness to flourish rather than continued allegiance to God. The Parable of the Vineyard, described by the Prophet Isaiah, noted such a circumstance in which despite all of God’s nourishment and provision it produced wild (evil) grapes, instead of good.
God’s response: What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it? Wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth (good) grapes, it brought forth wild (evil) grapes (Isaiah 5:4)? The Parable of the Vineyard; instead of being a parable of abundant provision became a Parable of Judgment. Thank God for those nations who have not yielded to the influence of the ungodly and remain firmly entrenched in God’s Word.
Selling of Birthright
Our Christian heritage is threatened by a generation who no longer remains steadfast in previous held Biblical instruction. The result is our heritage being challenged by a cultural revolution seeking to offset previously held Christian values; allowing induction of unbiblical principles as norm, rather than rejecting such based on the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God; in so doing it has sold its birthright as that of Esau.
Scripture reveals: Jacob (Esau’s brother) said, sell me this day your birthright. And Esau said, behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall the birthright be to me (Genesis 26:31-32). Has this not happened to those who fail to stand firm, allowing the ungodly to take what is rightfully, and biblically, their birthright? Scripture reveals that Esau sold his birthright to Jacob.
Scripture reveals that afterward, when Esau desired the blessing of his birthright (as the firstborn), he was rejected; that he repented in tears but the situation was irrevocable. The birthright was received through deception and treachery but was binding and costly to Esau. Are we not in the same category when we allow the ungodly to gain advantage to facilitate a cultural and ungodly change of venue?
Cousins of Communism
Our Christian heritage is threatened by allowing the seeds of Marxism and Socialism (cousins of Communism) to be planted and flourish through deception as to their intended goals. Under the guise of the betterment of mankind, their policies include overcoming Christianity in order to triumph. They seek to indoctrinate the youth who are more vulnerable to their influence.
Established goals are: Capture the culture via infiltration of schools, universities, churches, and the media, by transforming the consciousness of society, discredit the family as an institution, break down moral anchors by promoting pornography and homosexuality as normal, gain control of key positions in government to distribute their agenda. We are realizing the results of such rapidly gaining ground attempting to edge out culture as we once knew it.
God's Anvil of Justice
Preaching is the God-ordained means to prevent defection from the truth. There has been a deviation from such a responsibility; for if ordained and spirit-filled preaching had continued wholeheartedly, and not been neglected, sin would not be as rampant or openly flaunted as it is today, with the pre-Flood days of Noah, that brought God’s judgment, seemingly starting anew.
The Sodom and Gomorrah setting, condemned in God’s Word, is flourishing once again. Apostle Peter revealed: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an example to those that afterward should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:6).
Our Christian heritage is threatened on a number of fronts, despite warnings in God’s Word, and others, opening the threat of God’s anvil of justice, and His judgmental hammer striking those held responsible. Thank God for those who are openly opposing the ungodliness of man possibly delaying God’s wrath for the moment.
Turning Away from the Truth
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy, a young evangelist: The time will come when they (the people) will not endure sound doctrine; but after their lusts (desires) shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (open to such); they shall turn from the truth, and shall be turned into fables (that which is fictitious). But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry (2 Timothy 4:3-5).
Just prior to those words, Paul told Timothy: Preach the world; be instant (ready) in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2). Those words are needful today; becoming more necessary in that our Christian heritage is threatened; not only by forces from without but within as well. There is a Progressive Social Gospel being presented, and accepted, that does little to uphold the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God.
Church Walking with the World
A poem entitled “The Church Walking with the World” (author unknown) identifies a reason why our Christian heritage is threatened: The World said: your preachers are all too old and plain. They frighten my children with dreadful tales that I do not like to hear. They talk of judgments, fire, pain, and the doom of the darkest night.
They warn of a place that should not be thus spoken to ears polite. I will send you some of a better stamp, more brilliant and fast, who will show how men may live as they please and go to heaven at last. So she called for pleasing, deemed gifted, and great, and learned; and the plain old men who had preached the cross were out of her pulpits turned.
Our Christian heritage is threatened by those who attempt to wipe out previously planted seeds of righteousness; undermined by a generation who no longer adheres to the guidelines established in the instructive Word of God. There is condoning of ungodly lifestyles rather than exposing and rejecting them. Thank God for godly saints who will not retract from the truth of God’s Word but stand firmly committed and be an influence to others to do likewise.
Fellowship in Question
Our Christian heritage is threatened when God’s Word is ignored in regards to who one associates with. The Apostle Paul wrote: Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship (in common) has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light (righteousness) with darkness (sinfulness) (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
The church, in some instances, is rubbing elbows with a worldly (secular) environment to become more acceptable. There are those who attend church regularly while (oftentimes unknowingly) are indulging in sin with no remorse or conviction; rather than being an influence towards godliness, they are making ungodliness more attractive to others by forsaking “What Thus saith the Lord.”
Acceptance rather than Rejection
The Apostle Paul wrote: What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you (believers) are the temple of the living God; as God as said, I dwell in them, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them (the ungodly), and be you separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you and will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:16-18).
Those words are clear; yet our Christian heritage is threatened by failing to receive the entirety of God’s Word, while professing to be a committed Christian, and leading others astray. Acceptance, rather than rejection of ungodliness, can only lead to the judgmental side of God being unleashed; if repentance does not come to the forefront.
Need for Renewed Commitment
The solution to a downward trend of commitment; whether a nation or an individual, is revealed in God’s Word: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Corinthians 7:14).
It was noted that while this promise was originally given to King Solomon, regarding the people of Israel, it is applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith. Our Christian heritage is threatened when people fail to repent and seek God’s forgiveness. Apostle John wrote: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). This opens the door for God’s forgiving and cleansing power through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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