In the Old Testament God asked His people to be holy. Set apart. Different from the other nations around them. He told them not to offer their babies to Baal. He told them not to be sexually immoral. He told them to love others. He told them to take care of the poor.
Many times in Israel's history they got distracted by other cultures and turned away from God. Their faith was weak. They were not holy and blameless in His sight. They didn't even try. Rather, they did what was "right in their own eyes."
What has our culture become? The pilgrims landed here and even said they felt like Moses looking at the Promise Land. Our country was based on God and honoring Him. Being holy.
What is our country like now? God's "New Israel" is sacrificing babies to the God of self-image. We have become sexually immoral in countless ways. We have no regard for the poor or widows and instead expect other people to take care of them, if we think about it at all. We are self-centered. We lack self-control and wisdom. We get drunk and high and ruin God's temple by smoking. We have turned away from God. Christians follow the trends of the culture around us, being concerned with how we look more than how He sees us. We turn a blind eye to the hurting people who cut and starve themselves because we're too concerned about getting new things, passing tests, worshipping sports, and pleasing ourselves- even though we never seem to be pleased.
Why have we abandoned our God? He is slow to anger, abounding in faithfulness and love, and we repay Him by saying He doesn't exist, He didn't create the world, He didn't raise from the dead to save us, and even if He does exist, He must not be a loving God because He let's these things happen. Who's fault are these things? They're our own. All of us. For abandoning Him. He promises joy and peace when we love Him but we're not willing to love an invisible Creator. Even when He became flesh we wouldn't accept Him because He was humble and was born in a cave with stinky animals. We mocked Him. We ourselves, even in this day in age, put Him on the cross with every single one of our sins. But He did it willingly. Because He loves us. He still does. No matter what we do.
No matter how many times Israel turned away from God He always took them back and blessed them.
No matter how far our country goes away from Him He will always take us back. And He will take us back individually too. Because His love is real. He proved that with the nails that went through His hands and feet.
Will you love Him too?
love this post Batya! I find that what you said about even the Christians following the trends of this world so very true. I find it even in my own group of friends at church, in the ways my friends dress, where make-up, and so many other things. I'm not saying that I'm not guiltily myself or that any of these this are wrong but there is a extent to those things . I applaud you for saying something so truthful and honest about your brother and sisters in Christ.
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