Church & Christian Business Guide®

Feature Article 5

America, Return To Your Heritage

    The other day I was talking to my best friend, who is well known and very powerful. My friend has written at least one book that has been translated into just about every language known to man, so I have a deep respect for his opinions. He talked to me about America and how far we have come in the last 40 years. In just the last 40 years, we have seen technological advances we only dreamed about in 1960. Today, open-heart surgery is common place, we have begun to travel in space, we have cellular telephones, microwave ovens, personal computers in almost every home, and we surf the web.  

    But, we have children killing children and adults. We have adults killing children too. Almost 40 million children have been killed at what we call “clinics.” We have rampant drug and alcohol problems and far too many other social illnesses, to even mention them in this space. My friend speaks quite clearly and with a keen understanding of our current predicament, doesn’t he?

    Although the last 40 years represent less than 1% of mankind’s total time on earth, we have seen dramatic changes in technology and -- in our morality. What has happened to America? How did we end up in such a mess? My friend says that we have forgotten where America came from and who created us. He says that we must remember that our nation, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights were all based upon God’s Law, the Ten Commandments. In fact, our founding fathers had strong Christian beliefs and were frequently quoted saying things like, “If a nation will not be ruled by the Ten Commandments, they will be ruled by tyrants.” (James Madison)  John Quincy Adams said, “The general principles on which our forefathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.”  Andrew Jackson agreed when he said, “The Bible is the foundation upon which our republic rests.”  I could go on and on.

     From the birth of our nation until 1962, our nation pretty much lived by the principles of our founding fathers and the principles of Christianity. My friend says that -- We have forgotten our heritage and neglected to teach our children right from wrong. -- We must teach our children the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule. -- It is our responsibility to make our schools safe. -- We have become a Godless nation.

     The Bible says that IF we obey the Commandments of God, He will bless our nation, and God has blessed America. But, the Bible also warns us, if we do not obey all of God’s Commandments, our nation will be cursed. God said, “My people shall perish for a lack of knowledge.” God said, ”If you forget Me, I will also forget your children.” God said, “If I announce that a nation is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of it’s evil, then I will relent and not inflict upon it the disaster I had planned.” (Jeremiah 18:10) Yes, God is merciful, but are we to do nothing or to sit idle? Jesus instructed us to be active participants in our world when He said, “Pick up the cross and follow Me.” Jesus changed lives. What would make us think that He would expect anything less from us? We must stop listening to man and start listening to God.

     What can Christians do? My friend says that -- THIS is the fullness of time. -- We must return to our lost principles. -- It is time for us to participate in and to make a difference in our community and in the condition of our nation. -- Christians have stood by silently for far too long. -- The enemy is organized into many special interest groups, all trying to divide us, and that we too must unite before we lose everything. -- We must take a stand, educate our children, return to God and to God’s Law. -- We must run for public office, sit upon School Boards and elect only those candidates who promise not to make a single law that violates the Law of God. -- We must make our voices heard and that the time is now.

    My friend says we have forgotten what both he and his son have taught us. His son is well known and powerful too. My friend is God. He has lots of friends, and He can bless and love an infinite number of people at the same time. Now that I think about it, have you noticed that God’s friends are blessed? If you would like God to be your friend for all of eternity, all you have to do is ask Him. If you need help asking, CALL US.

WE SUPPORT GOD’S LAW - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Don Swarthout, Pastor
Swarthout Ministries
PO BOX 33802
Denver, CO 80233  
Call (303) 438-1455