Limited Influence
How far we have fallen from our founding as a Nation becomes clearer every day. The Church is no longer a leader in the quest for a “great Nation.” We have been relegated to the back seat, and are moving quickly toward being jettisoned from the argument.
Religious liberty is being redefined in America, or at least many would like it to be. Our secular establishment wants to reduce the autonomy of religious institutions and limit the influence of faith in the public square. The reason is not hard to grasp. In America, “religion” largely means Christianity, and today our secular culture views orthodox Christian churches as troublesome, retrograde, and reactionary forces. They’re seen as anti-science, anti-gay, and anti-women—which is to say anti-progress as the Left defines progress. Not surprisingly, then, the Left believes society will be best served if Christians are limited in their influence on public life. (R. R. Reno, from a speech delivered on February 20, 2013, at a Hillsdale College National Leadership Seminar in Bonita Springs, Florida.)
We will return to the battle for Truth and Godliness only when individual Believers see the responsibility that is personally theirs. It is not possible that a Church made up of individuals who wallow in Spiritual weakness and apathy can gain leadership traction in our society. Ours indeed is a society where the strong and bold rule. There was a time when those who fit that mold were honest, moral, benevolent, and kind. That has long since passed away. Rulers that are ruthless, self-centered, forceful, and who possess a “success at any cost” inspiration, are now the rule of thumb.
We (read: genuine Believers who hold the Bible to be inerrant Truth) are being shut out not by the strength of the Enemy, but by the weakness of our own hearts, the apathy of ease, and the burden of unforgiven sin.
The questions before us is the survival of a Nation. Without the return of Christ for His bride in the near term, it is likely we will fall from the precipice of greatness into the rubbish heap of ruined societies.