Page 6 - Good News August 2016 paper

y friend Rod Dreher is as pass on to our young people an
sane and stable as any- orthodox form of faith that can
Mone I know, and he's take root and survive the secular
saying, in essence, that the sky is onslaught." These are chilling
falling. I reference his new article words.
in The American Conservative,
called "The Coming Christian Yet I am hopeful, as every Chris-
Collapse." tian must be. As my colleague
John Stonestreet says so often,
He begins by saying that two- we are part of the grand story of
thirds of millennials who were the universe. And God is the
raised religiously unaffiliated Author of that story. Yes, as Peter
still have no denominational reminds us, we will have to suffer
identity today. Unlike previous "various trials." But why? "So
generations, they're not joining that the authenticity of [our]
churches as they get older and faith… may result in praise, glory,
raise kids. and honour at the revelation of
Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Second, Rod says, "Millennials, yes, the sins of our nation: the clothe the naked, heal the sick,
even those who identify as This is not new. Back in the '30s sins of pride, racism, sexual and visit the prisoner. Christian
Christians, are shockingly illi- and '40s, German Christians had libertinism, greed, lust for power, faith is not a nice add-on to our
terate, both in terms of what the to take a clear stand or be absor- and a callous disregard for human agendas, it's the very marrow of
Bible says and more generally bed or compromised by evil - and life. our lives.
regarding what Christianity some, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
teaches." This growing Biblical chose the cross! Second, we must recommit The question is this: Will we love
illiteracy has led to a moral ourselves to Jesus. We need to God with our whole heart, soul,
decline of our young people into Look at our brothers and sisters seek the mind of Christ, to think and mind, and our neighbour as
consumerism, drug abuse, in the Middle East. Now, I'm not and to act as Christians, to know ourselves? Don't be intimidated
sexual liberation, and civic and ready to say we American our Bible and to live by it in the by the internal and external chal-
political disengagement. Christians may soon have to power of the Spirit, "making the lenges we face. Remember that
apostasize or die, but I can't help most of (y)our time, for the days God can do very much with very
Third, Rod says that the working but think of the words of the late are evil." We must commit anew little, and that success doesn't
class has largely abandoned the Pastor George, who said he would to forming a Biblical worldview depend on political or cultural
Church, and that if the middle die in his bed, his successor and evaluating everything in our power. While the Church may
class follows suit, as appears would die in prison, and his lives in light of it. face trials, the gates of hell will
likely, the Church will be empty in successor will die a martyr in the not prevail, and Christ's Victory
a world of hurt. He quotes the late public square. So, what do we do? We must recommit our time and is assured!
Michael Spencer, who warned of our treasure to evangelism, http://www.prophecynewswatch
a coming Evangelical collapse: We must repent - repent of our missions, and Christ's command .com/article.cfm?recent_news_i
"We Evangelicals have failed to sins, the sins of the Church, and, in Matthew 25 to feed the hungry, d=532#ghvI84MDupBwsJzk.99

o s e s w o u l d s a y, listening." Isaiah would say, "Arise and Ezekiel would say, "Any dry
"LORD, if You don't go shine for my GLORY has come" bones in my life, live again!"
Mwith us or before us, we Nehemiah would say, "The joy of and "No weapon formed against
are not going anywhere." the LORD is my strength." me shall prosper." Peter would say, "I will cast my
cares upon the LORD for He
Abraham would say, "The David would say, "The LORD is Jeremiah would say, "The LORD cares."
LORD will provide." my Shepherd, I shall not want," has plans to prosper me and not
and "This is the day that the to harm or fail me." Paul would say, "The LORD will
Jacob would say, "I won't let go LORD has made and I will rejoice supply all my needs and I can
of YOU unless YOU bless me." and be glad in it." Jabez would say, "Oh, that YOU do all things through Christ."
may bless me and enlarge my
Joshua would say, "As for me Solomon would say, "Trust in territory." Let us read and speak the
and my house, we will serve the the LORD, oh my soul, and lean Word! It brings light, joy, and
LORD." not on your own understanding, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed- power into our lives!
in all your ways acknowledge nego would say, "We will not
Samuel would say, "Speak, Him and He shall direct your bow down to any image but will Choose your daily statement of
LORD, for Your servant is path." serve the LORD." faith and be blessed!