QUESTION #3
IS THERE TIME to RESTORE AMERICA?
ISN'T EVANGELISM MORE URGENT?
First, let us say that there is no greater priority than world evangelism.
Our Founders would agree with that statement and, in fact, many of them
were fundamentally motivated by this goal as they came to America.
William Bradford, the Pilgrim historian and governor, clearly stated
that the Pilgrims came with a desire to spread the gospel worldwide
when they covenanted with God to found their colony:
"...a great hope and inward zeal they had of laying some good foundation,
or at least to make some way therunto, for ye propagating and advancing
ye gospel of ye kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of ye world;
yea, though they should be but even as steppingstones unto others for ye
performing of so great a work."
Presupposing the above priority to "disciple the nations" (MAtt. 28:18-20)
and to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15), it is important
to keep in mind that God is glorified and people reached not only through
words but by His children showing the practical application of Christianity
to all life.
Nowhere has the balance between evangelism and the
manifestation of Christianity in culture been so clearly illustrated as
in America. Our nation came into being through the obedience of millions
of Christians who took God's gospel and its application into every sphere
of life. When we were caring for our vineyard we were likened to a
"city on a hill" and a "light to the nations" showing forth the power of
Christ in the life of individuals manifest on a corporate scale.
IS THERE TIME TO OCCUPY?
Over the past 140 years or so there has been a growing trend among religious
groups to speculate on the exact date of the end of the world and the second
coming of Christ. Many people have been led to faith in Christ as a result
of studying the coming of Christ in judgement at the end of time. But the
setting of dates concerning His return and over-speculation as to the
significance of current events in relation to this subject sometimes have
caused many to lose hope of reformation of our government and society.
The purpose of this book is not to critique or take sides on eschatoligical
issues. But one point should be clearly made concerning our attitude
toward Christ's return regardless of what millennia view we have. We, as
Christians, will not be judged on how well we guessed the exact time of
Christ's coming, but concerning the deeds we have done to build His
Kingdom while He is not physically present (Luke 19, II Cor. 5:10).
Regardless of when Jesus Christ comes again, and only the Father
knows the time (Acts 1:7), Christians cannot ignore their stewardship to
"occupy until I come" (Luke 19:13). Who and what will occupy and thereby
govern and control the quality and conduct of our nation and its
administration as well as our homes, churches, and schools? The Christian or
the unbeliever? Which group of people was given the commission to occupy?
Who has taken leadership in our society - Christians or unbelievers?
Will Biblical principles occupy only our Christian homes, churches,
and missionary endeavors and not the civil, economic, or cultural
spheres of life in America because there is no time? Or because there
is no vision or faith to labor? A knowledge of God's hand in American
history assures us that God gives his people time needed to accomplish
what He has called them to do. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but
sin is a reproach to any people." (Prov. 14:34
"IF THE FOUNDATIONS BE DESTROYED"
Consider the consequences for the world if America should succumb to
humanism and socialism. what would be the dreadful fate of other
men anations if this fountainhead of evangelical Christianity spurned
God? For America is one nation with the liberty, property, and form of
government capable of protecting, not crushing, the voluntary expression
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need look no further than behind the
Iron and Bamboo Curtains to find the answer.
GOD"S POWER IN BUILDING A NATION
Today many of our missionaries are scorned as they present the Gospel
in foreign lands. Nationals from various countries rightly ask the
question, "If your Christ is so powerful that He can save my soul,
can He do nothing for my nation? What has He doen for your nation,
America?" Unfortunately many of our missionaries are not taught the
the answer to that question. As a result the great scriptural principles
of nation-building that could result in a national reformation in these
lands are not imparted from the Word of God and our Christian history.
But Christ and His Word do offer liberty, not only from the burden of
personal sin, but also from EXTERNAL tyranny when His sovereignty is
acknowledged by the people of a nation and His Word is heeded (Proverbs
29:2). The people of the world need to know that Communism cannot hold
sa candle to our world-changing God and His people in any field of human
endeavor, and that history proves this out. They also need to see again
a model of a reformed America. We cannot cut the Gospel message way
from its external manifestations. Isaiah 58:12 is vital today. "THEY
THAT SHALL BE OF THEE SHALL BUILD THE OLD WASTE PLACES: THOU SHALT
TAISE UP THE FOUNDATIONS OF MANY GENERATIONS; AND THOU SHALT BE CALLED,
THE REPAIRER OF THE BREECH, THE RESTORER OF THE PATHS TO DWELL IN."
****** SEE QUESTION 4 ******
