America in the Crosshairs
“…the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes…My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:1-3,6)
This was written over 2,700 years ago and if it isn’t a wakeup call for the church in America today, then I don’t know what it will take to shake us from our lethargy. God’s patience is without equal. But it has an expiration date.
In the 4th chapter of 1 Peter,
God clearly spells out His plan just as He did for Israel (see “Nothing to See Here” and “Know God or No God”). “The end of all things is near; therefore be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” (v.7) “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.” (v.12) “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (v. 17)
It’s that last statement I want to focus on. Judgment. Just the word instills angst, even fear. But for believers in Jesus Christ, it should be a cause of rejoicing. All of the “swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery” that we thought “they” were getting away with is on the docket. And it will “begin with the household of God.” What does that mean?
Proverbs 6:16 begins a list
of seven things the Lord hates: pride, lies (twice), bloodshed of the innocent, hearts that plan wickedness, evil acts, and troublemakers (in churches). Not everybody who sits in a pew is a Christian. The Bible says, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16). If the thought of judgment worries you, there are a couple possible reasons. First, you know you’re guilty and punishment awaits. Or, second, you have confessed your sin and turned to Jesus for salvation, but your faith that Jesus took ALL your sins is weak and the devil continues his bombardment of lies trying to keep you on the sideline.
Consider your “fruit.” If you are a child of the King and walking in the light, what Paul says applies to you, “for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (Eph. 5:9). Don’t let Satan steal your victory, your hope, your confidence. Christians aren’t perfect; we still sin. But we ARE forgiven, cleansed, and accepted by God as unblemished.
If you’re not producing the right kind of fruit, but find yourself on the list of seven, perhaps you’ve bought the lie that going to church and reciting liturgy and rote prayers gets your ticket punched. I’ve got great news for you. It’s not too late…yet. In humility, recognize that your sin hasn’t been paid for and you are separated from a holy God, that there’s nothing YOU can do to avoid the sentence of guilty. Believe that Jesus paid your debt by His death and resurrection.
God’s judgment IS real.
And it’s coming to a church near you. While you still breathe, you are still in the race. The warning sirens are blaring. The enemy is ramping up his attacks, multiplying his lies, and grinning in glee every time he keeps a sinner from believing the truth. Don’t be like the ones Jesus talked about, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’” (Matt. 7:21-23)
God is watching America, waiting for those who will, to repent and come to Him. The previous verses make it clear not all who attend church will be included. Don’t be one of those who thinks you’ve been good enough, given enough to charity, or never murdered or committed adultery, and that’s your basis for hope. Jesus was very clear, “I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6). If you want to know how to avoid God’s judgment see Steps to Salvation on this site.