ARE WE REALLY A CHRISTIAN NATION?by Harold E. CormanySome Americans claim this is a Christian nation, based on Godly principles. But if we examine our hearts, can we say this is true? Do we live our lives according to the examples set forth in the Bible? Could any of us withstand close scrutiny by God? I recently read on a bumper sticker - "Jesus Christ is coming back to earth and He is mad as Hell." How would this nation fare if Judgement Day were to occur tomorrow? Read on.
There are some in the United States who are asking if we are a Christian nation, then why are so many negative things happening to this country? Before we get into the nitty gritty of the subject, we need to ask ourselves as the citizens of this country, are we truly a Christian nation? Do we truly worship God, especially in the manner in which He expects. Let me ask some questions…can we be a Christian nation with temples and mosques and other buildings of worship being constructed to worship gods that have no relationship with Christianity? We wonder how did we arrive at the term Christian or Christians (plural)? Since we only find it 3 times in the New Testament scriptures of the Holy Bible. First, let's notice in Acts 11:25 “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus for to serve Saul. V. 26 And when he found him, he brought him unto Antioch , and it came to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church , and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch . The word Christian was first associated with the ministry of Barnabas and Saul. The next place we find the word Christian is in Acts 16:28, where the apostle Paul (formerly called Saul) was defending his religious belief before King Agrippa, who was a representative of the Roman Empire at that time. In v. 27 we read: King Agrippa believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. V. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian .” We ask who or what is a Christian? Answer would have to be one who accepts Christ Jesus as their Saviour and as the literal Son of God the Father, and who follows His teachings. If we look into many religious denominations which are in the United States who call themselves Christians, we will find that some preach that Jesus was not the only begotten Son of God, and some preach that Jesus was a hoax or a fraud. How can this be? We read in the DiVinci Code that some have labeled Jesus as a fornicator (actually we read in John 8:41 that the Pharisees claimed that Jesus was born of fornication). We know that Jesus could not have sinned and still be our Saviour and the Messiah. It is taught that the United States was founded on the principles of Christianity and our laws are based on the 10 commandments. As a matter of fact some of those who signed the Declaration of Independence were Christian ministers. And yes, some were Deists and free-thinkers. Few realize that some of our major universities, such as Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and others began as Christian schools which trained men to become ministers of Christ. Of course three colleges do not a Christian nation make, however this is a fact, if little known today. One of the largest religions in our country is Judaism and though they believe in God, they refuse to believe or accept Jesus as the Christ (Messiah). It's strange how so many TV evangelists embrace the Jews with Judaism as God's chosen people. Actually the house of Israel consisted of 12 tribes, not just one, and they too are God's chosen people; not just Judah or the Jews. If one reads a prophecy in Ezekiel 37:16-22 they will find both the House of Israel and Judah mentioned as one nation. We can ask ‘what do the pagan religions of Islam, Budda, Hinduism or any other heathen religion have to do with a nation founded on Christianity principles? The answer is: Nothing! They have settled in this country unhindered with their pagan gods. Their religions have nothing to do with Christianity, or with the God of heaven and earth. I'm sure many will disagree, but there is but one Godhead. Some will cry: but this nation was founded on religious freedom. If we check into history, it is my opinion that the freedom was to worship God and Christ. But not under the strict rules of Roman Catholicism or the Anglican Church of England. Again, in my opinion they most assurdely did not have pagan religions in mind when the founding laws were set in motion. Although there are writings made by many of our founding fathers that could be interpreted as disagreeing with this. True, this country has always opened its doors to foreigners. This is similar to the 12 tribes of Israel , but unlike Israel , we have allowed pagan religions into this nation that do not worship the true God. The fact is, the original citizens of the America's, the native tribes erroneously called Indians, worshipped pagan Gods and had been doing so for hundreds of years before any European set foot on American soil. Notice in the Old Testament how God instructed ancient Israel as to how they should accept strangers (foreigners) into their midst. In Exodus 12:48 “And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee and will keep (observe) the Passover of the Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it.” So to be a part of Israel 's religious worship service, the circumcision of males was required. However, the law of physical circumcision is no longer a requirement as scripture teaches us a Christian is circumcised in their hearts. On wonders where do women fit into the pattern before the sacrifice of Christ, and the circumcision of our hearts. See Col. 2:11-13. Let's continue in Exodus 12:48 “And he shall be as one that is born in the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.'” (the Old Testament Passover meal) Notice in v. 49 ‘ One law shall be to him that is homeborn , and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. So in order to be able to enjoy the benefits of that nation, the foreigner had to adapt to its laws and customs. Today religious freedom in America even allows people to worship Satan the Devil. It is impossible to believe that we have stretched our religious freedom to this point. On the other hand, others would argue how would all of us be able to worship as we believe if we deny that liberty to others? So I ask, are we truly a Christian nation? Can a nation that has kicked God and Christ out of our schools, our courts, and yes, even out of some churches, still be Christian? Can a truly Christian nation allow homosexuals – who God calls an abomination in the Old Testament to actually pastor churches? And the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:32 states ‘who knows the judgment of God. That they which commit such things are worthy of death. And not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” What is Paul talking about? Read Romans 1:24-28. It's very clear what Paul was referring to. Would a Christian nation allow the hideous crime of abortion that has terminated nearly 50 million pregnancies since WW II? Would a truly Christian nation forbid prayer to Almighty God in Jesus name, if it were truly Christian? Today, governments and school boards can not even dictate that children start their day with a prayer to God. Would a Christian nation remove the 10 commandments from its courts, from which some people believe the laws of this land were first based ? Would a truly Christian nation lead the world in murders and other crimes against their fellow man? Perhaps it's time some of our TV evangelists and our Christian ministers begin to do what God told ancient Israel prophets to do in Isaiah 58: “Cry aloud and spare not. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions , and the house of Jacob their sins.” We read in Isaiah 59:1-8 “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: v.2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. V. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. V. 4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth; they trust in vanity, and speak lies: they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. V.5- They hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web; he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. V. 6- Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works; their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. V. 7- Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. V.8- The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings; they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.” If any wonder why God is not blessing this nation as He once did, perhaps we should look inward and ask ourselves, are we a living example of how a Christian nation should conduct themselves? Or have we become a nation of religious hypocrites? Saying one thing, but doing another? When the Lord God delivered the House of Israel out of the bondage and slavery in Egypt , He told them in Exodus 19:5 “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people. For all the earth is mine: v. 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation . These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel .' One can say “Well, that was for ancient Israel , you're talking about the United States.”. However, the Word of God is for all people to live by,God is not a respector of persons. Let's turn to the New Testament where Peter is writing to the Gentile converts in the New Testament church. I Peter 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones are built up a spiritual house . An holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ . V. 9 An holy nation, a particular (purchased) people that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness unto His marvelous light.' We can read a prophecy of the future in Revelation 1:5 “ And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. V. 6 And hath made us (future tense for all Christians) kings and priests unto God, and His Father to Him be glory and dominion forever.” If we are indeed a chosen generation of God's called out ones, if we truly are a Christian nation, then as a nation, it is time to repent, put God back into our lives, our schools, and courts, and by all means back into our churches. It's time we begin to observe God's true Sabbath and His annual Holy Days and begin to live by His law which the Apostle Paul said in Romans 7 was Holy , and just , and good. It we once again desire to become a truly Christian nation by observing God's words in examples, and not just with words only, then God can once again begin to bless us as a nation. The question is: do we want to be a Christian nation? The Bible tells us there is only one God, so perhaps it's time we begin to emphasize this by being an example to those who still worship pagan gods. If we don't, then we can expect to have happen to us as happened to ancient Israel and Judah . They went into captivity for worshipping pagan gods.. It is time to repent and begin to once again worship the only true God and our Lord Jesus Christ. If we do, God promises blessings and abundant forgiveness. I'm sure it is not a coincidence that God, when He gave Israel His ten commandments, said in Exodus 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before (instead) of me. He continues in vs. 4-6: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: v.5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; v. 6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” It sounds to me like the Only True God means what He says! Do we mean what we say when we call ourselves a Christian nation?
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