We need repentance, regardless

By the time this article prints, election day will be over. Now … the election itself may still be undecided; I don’t know, I sure hope not. But regardless of how this election turns out, it is my belief every confessing Christian should still be gravely concerned about our nation. Even if your candidate of choice wins this week, American Evangelicals need to take a hard look at the direction of these United States. And the uncomfortable truth is, our country is in a mess. Not just economically, but more importantly, spiritually. 

Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, our society has normalized and legalized numerous behaviors that God hates. And that comes at a cost. I know statements like that are not popular with everyone, but that doesn’t negate their legitimacy. Readers, we don’t do anyone any favors by sweeping our national filth under the rug, and pretending it isn’t there. In fact, as unpopular as it makes me with both the Democrats and Republicans, we ought to at least admit the major policy shifts over the last few election cycles of both parties. The Left has moved further left … and the Right has followed. Deny that if you will, but it is an inarguable fact. Not even the supposed “conservative party” (to which I have belonged all my adult life) is all that conservative any longer. 

The drift of this nation is not towards God, but away from Him. Neither major party platform represents godly values, but just the opposite. In just the last few years, the social issues on which the “moral majority” once said they would never compromise, or give ground, have now been compromised and ground has been given. I cannot help but wonder if that ground will ever be taken back?! 

Like you, I love America and thank God for the privilege of living here. And we all acknowledge; no nation is perfect. The reason being, nations and governments are composed of people, and people aren’t perfect. But regardless of what our modern society normalizes, there is a difference between right and wrong and good and evil. I assure you, God still notes the distinction between holiness and wickedness. At the risk of sounding like an alarmist, consider this Bible passage; “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalms 9:17). Do you believe that to be true? Do you believe every country that turns it back on God is ripe for judgment? If so, then you ought to be concerned, (if not alarmed), for this nation. Regardless of which Presidential candidate lives in the White House the next four years, we are in a mess. Sadly, neither major party stands firmly on the moral issues that are sure to bring about swift judgment from God. And a nation cannot condone what God condemns and expect His blessing.

I don’t want to be the proverbial pebble in your shoe … or rain on your parade. But there needs to be a clarion call for born-again beleivers to honestly access where we are, and repent of our national (and individual) sins. In fact, all men everywhere have been commanded to repent and turn to Christ. If you take exception to that, if you disagree with that … then that is your right as citizen of this country. But as long as I am afforded the opportunity to lend Scriptural counsel via this medium, I want to urge my fellow Christians to take an accurate accounting of where this nation stands before a Holy God. And if you do, then you will join me in calling for national repentance.
The hope for America is not who gets 270 electoral votes this week … but that we would turn from our sins and cry out to God for mercy. Only God and His Gospel is the hope for this nation. No nation can rationally ask for God’s blessing, while boastfully rebelling against His Word. We need national repentance … and we need it desperately. Far more than we need your chosen candidate in office. Please, don’t be so naïve as to think national deliverance will be found in Washington D.C. As the wise preacher Chuck Colson often said, “salvation will never arrive on Air Force One!” 

We need Christ. We need Him and His Gospel to take root within our hearts and homes and turn this nation back to God. If you disagree with me, that’s your decision. But if you agree, pray that God will grant repentance to this nation, that we might enjoy His blessing and not His righteous judgment. 

 And that remains true, regardless of who wins this week.