“Pilgrim Reflections" - “Where Are We Headed?”

I guess that depends on us.

Yes, the question posed at the beginning of this column is one we definitely need to ask ourselves and honestly answer. And, sadly, it’s apparent that our nation’s definitely not on the same page when it comes to the problem and solution.

No, for a long time now we’ve been a “house divided against itself:” which Jesus said “cannot stand” (Mark 3:24-25). Ever since our earliest beginnings we’ve had divisions: between the Puritans and the non-religious. . .the Whigs and Tories in the Revolutionary War. . . the Democrats and Republics during the Civil War (and continuing until today), etc.

But, today our divisions have greatly multiplied to include conservatives and liberals, secularists, humanists, theists, atheists, agnostics, pantheists, hedonists, socialists, fascists, etc. And, even among churches of the same denomination, there are splits occurring almost every day (e.g., United Methodist Church, Southern Baptist Convention, Presbyterians, Mormons, etc.).

Yes, ours is a nation divided: and, unless God intervenes, later on someone will write a history book about America’s demise that parallels Edward Gibbons’ classic, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

And, sadly, why would this happen (if it does)?

For the same reason the once-mighty Roman Empire fell (along with others like the Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, etc.).

Even a casual reading of history will show that all of these nations fell because of idolatry, immorality and un-Biblical ideologies. Even today, Psalm 9:17 is still true: “The wicked shall be turned into hell (the grave) and all the nations that forget God.”

“But there are many different gods!” shouts the “enlightened” pluralist.

“And, my god’s just as good as your God!” echoes the “woke” activist.

And, dear Reader, that’s why we’re in the shape we’re in. There aren’t different varieties and meanings of Truth—for Truth is non-negotiable and not the Latin phrase “Vox populi, vox Dei” (“The voice of the people is the voice of God”).

No, Truth—real Truth—isn’t the result of consensus or majority-rule. In reality, in our attempt to be a melting pot for all nations, America has lost her original identity as “one nation under God” where Judeo-Christian beliefs formed the basis of our laws and social mores.

Consequently, we’ve bitten into the same “devilish dainty” Adam and Eve sank their teeth into in the Garden of Eden: “For God does know that in the day you eat thereof, your eyes will be opened and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).

Yes, just as they listened to the devil’s lies, so has America done the same—particularly the past 50-60 years. Why else would we get to the place where a Supreme Court justice doesn’t even know how to define “woman” or young children are having their bodies mutilated by sex-change operations?

Likewise, even though it’s always existed, why would we move from having laws outlawing sodomy to laws that now protect it (and even champion it)? Why would we forbid legalized abortion until 1973, tolerate it for 49 years and then outlaw it—and yet still have millions of our nation’s leaders and citizens who still believe it’s okay?

It’s clear: “God’s turned us over to a reprobate (perverse, perverted mind)” and a “spirit of strong delusion” (Roman 1:18-32; II Thessalonians 2:11).

And, that’s why those of us who truly believe “we can know the Truth and the Truth will set us free if we continue in God’s Word” (John 8:31-32) must stand up and be counted. No longer can we sit idly by and watch our nation crumble right before our eyes.

Our enemy is not “flesh-and-blood” (e.g., political parties, religions, ideologies, etc.); it’s the evil one and his forces of darkness (Ephesians 6:12).

Therefore, we must “humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s Face (as never before) and turn from our wicked ways IF God will hear our prayers, forgive our sin and heal our land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

The answer to the original question (“Where are we headed?”) is simple: we’ll either go down on our knees in prayer or down the tubes into destruction. The choice is ours.

(NOTE: If you’d like to contact Bro. Tom or receive his daily e-mail devotional, entitled “Morning Manna,” you can write him at P.O. Box 614, Mulberry, AR 72947 or e-mail him at pressingon@hotmail.com).