America Abomination Affection

America: Abomination and Affection The ideals of America very much parallel the fallen nature of man. To change the ideals of America would be to change the very fallen nature of man. This only God can do one individual (heart) at a time as they surrender all to Him (through Christ) and come back under His authority. On a larger scale, this would not only change America, but the world.

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? and ask God to do the same by revealing the truth of your life which may be masked by blindness and deception. (Ps 139:23-24) Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. This message is intended to cause you, to examine your heart (2 Cor 13:5)

If you sincerely confirm that you are in Christ Jesus and have no cause for concern (walking in His light), then rejoice that you are on the narrow path. You are to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mk 12:30); this is total submission to the Lord. (Is 42:8) I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.. Since God requires us to lovingly (freely) surrender with a willing mind and perfect heart to obey Him fully, it does not take much from another source to interfere with that requirement. (1 Chr 28:9) “…know thou the God of thy father, and

serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever”.. Patriotism and love of one’s country can very easily become idols put before God. A patriot is one who loves and defends his country. Traditionally, this has meant that you hold dear the ideals which the country represents as keeping with your own. But, let us look into the ideals of America and seriously consider if these ideals are the direction or “path” you want to be headed down. Partaking of the evils in the society (culture) around you can also very quickly become seeking your own way rather than following God’s Way. A look at our American culture today must turn the stomach of God.

Deu 12:31Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. • Does America kill her sons and daughters? Deu 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God. • Does America have problems with gender roles? Deu 25:15[But] thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. For all that do such things, [and] all that do unrighteously, [are] an abomination unto the LORD thy God. • Does America have fair business practices? Luk 16:14And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. • Does America covet? Pro 11:1 A false balance [is] abomination to the LORD: but a just weight [is] his delight. Pro 11:20 They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the LORD: but [such as are] upright in [their] way [are] his delight. Pro 12:22 Lying lips [are] abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly [are] his delight. Pro 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

Pro 15:9 The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: Pro 15:26 The thoughts of the wicked [are] an abomination to the LORD Pro 16:5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished. Pro 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD. Pro 20:10 Divers weights, [and] divers measures, both of them [are] alike abomination to the LORD. Isa 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD. Pro 6:17 These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: 1 A proud look, 2 a lying tongue, 3 and hands that shed innocent blood, 4 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, 5 feet that be swift in running to mischief, 6 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and 7 he that soweth discord among brethren. Jer 6:15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time [that] I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. Yes, friend, it is hard to see how God can view America as any more than an abomination. Isa 6:5 Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then how can we feel patriotic this Independence Day? Psa 103:8 The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. Psa 145:8 The LORD [is] gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. Rom 5:8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. Rom 5:11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. If Christ then hath loved us while we were sinners, how can we expect Him to do other for today’s sinners in America? Let us ask that question slightly different. How can Christ expect us to do other for today’s sinners that He did for them? Did He give His life? Then we should give ours. Even in the world hate us they are still worthy of our lives. Our physical, carnal life has been crucified already with Christ. How can we pull it off the cross to try to save it? Luk 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but

whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. “In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me: As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,” For our soldiers who give their lives we give our undying gratitude. Yes, let us give our lives, but not just in one supreme act of dying. Let us give our lives moment by moment of each day. If we truly want to see sinners set free then let us remember what Jesus said. He said He came to set the prisoner free. He said “The truth shall set you free. He said, “I am the way the truth and the life.” Therefore, by living, we can do the work of Jesus as He would do, and make sure that these people of unclean lips in America know that Jesus came to set them free. I know sometimes it seems like a losing battle: 7/2/2006 Page 2

I John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death. 1Jo 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 1Jo 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren. George Lansing Fox, a boy who lied about his age in 1917 to enter World War I. Working in an ambulance unit, he was hit by shrapnel two days before the Armistice. For his heroism, he earned a Silver Star, a Purple Heart, and the French Croix-de-Guerre. He participated in every major battle of the American Expeditionary Forces in France. In 1926, Fox felt a call to preach and joined the Methodist ministry. Entering the School of Theology, he graduated in 1934 and served a number of circuits in Vermont. The clouds of war gathered over the world again in the 1930s, and on December 7, 1941, Japanese warplanes attacked the American fleet at Pearl Harbor. With the entrance of the United States into World War II, Fox became one of many Methodist ministers to enlist as a chaplain. As part of the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., more Methodists served as chaplains in World War II than did members of any other Protestant church. Early in 1943, Fox set sail with 900 soldiers on the SS Dorchester, a luxury liner refitted as a troop ship. Ministering with him to the overcrowded and frightened young soldiers were three other chaplains: a Reformed minister, a Catholic priest, and a rabbi. After midnight on February 3, a torpedo from a Nazi U boat struck the Dorchester, and the ship began sinking in the North Atlantic. Fox and the other three chaplains helped the panicked young soldiers into lifeboats. As the four chaplains headed for a lifeboat, four more soldiers appeared. Taking off their own life jackets, the chaplains gave them to the soldiers. As the last survivors pulled away from the sinking ship, they saw the four chaplains standing in the bow with their arms linked, praying together, while the deck plunged under and the four sank into the frigid sea. George Fox and his companions laid down their lives for their friends. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. Our freedom has been secured for more than 200 years in large part because of the sacrifices of countless unsung heroes. Not all of them died but all that is good with America has been because someone gave their life starting with Jesus. In appreciation let us give our lives, each day, to make America better, to make Ohio better, to make our communities better. Yes, America has her share of abominations. But in spite of that we are still experiencing the long suffering of the Lord. It is through His love and His affection we are set free from sin and death. Few nations in history have enjoyed the freedom, wealth, peace and comfort that we’ve been blessed with in the United States. Independence Day reminds us that our freedom came with a price - for some the greatest price. Jesus said: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

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