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I always assumed that I would never go back to Pennsylvania. I've told God that if He wants me there for a committed amount of time, He'll have to make it undoubtedly clear. However, today I happened across this stirring video http://www.gnn.tv/videos/video.php?id=16 , http://www.gnn.tv/videos/video.php?id=17 (in 2 parts) on the Guerilla News Network website. I am moved for the people of Kensington, and I'm more ready than ever to work for their "economic human rights".
The things that they want sound so good, so right... yet I fear that it will only happen when Jesus comes back to establish His reign. So many Christians that I speak with are convinced that the world is becoming a better place every day, and that the church in a place of greater blessing today than it was 500 years ago. I want to believe the same thing, but I have my doubts when I continue talking to some of these people and realize that they are operating with a different understanding of the word Christian, and a different picture of the Church than my own. What is the role of the United States in all of this?
I believe that our country is fallen, and when a fallen person or collective group of people is as powerful as is our country, it results in the perpetuation of much pain, suffering, and evil. When He came to earth, Christ brought a new order... a gospel of forgiveness made possible only through His sacrifice. Nothing and no one in this World is capable of good without the forgiveness and grace of Christ. Is our country capable of that which is good? No, unless God is somewhere in the picture... and if so, it is only by His grace.
So does our country serve and honor God? The rhetoric would have us believe that our society is walking humbly in the path laid before us by our Father in heaven, but if that were the case, I think it would be evident through our actions. Specifically, it should be evident each time the United States repents. Because the United States is undoubtedly fallen, we should have plenty of opportunities to repent for the ways that we don't act in the will of God. But is our country repentant? Has our country ever repented? Until the United States falls on it's knees in repentance, it is hard for me to hear our leaders, our media, our churches, and our people assuredly proclaiming that our country is walking in the ways of justice and freedom... two things that can come only from God. |
