It seems at times that our nation and world are spinning out of control, sprinting full steam ahead toward the edge of a cliff.  It can feel like there is so much sinful momentum in America that the complete destruction of our society is inevitable.  A country which abandons God will be abandoned by God (Romans 1).

I remember watching television in the summer of 2014, in the wake of the Michael Brown shooting and the resulting riots in Ferguson, Missouri.  Various people stepped up to social platforms in attempts to provide answers, yet nothing seemed to soothe the situation.  Politicians didn’t have the answers.  Social activists didn’t have the answers.  Law enforcement didn’t have the answers.  Community organizers didn’t have the answers.  Everyone was placing blame on someone else, and very few people were listening.  Someone at the time asked me what he thought was a hypothetical question: “What would you say if you had the microphone and the media spotlight for five minutes?” My response?  “I would share the gospel of Christ – it’s the only thing I know of for sure which has power over the hearts of men.”  My own personal pleading and desires have little-to-no power to change hearts and minds.  If I preached my own opinions, they would be lost in the sea of impotent rhetoric. Romans 1:16 says that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, which is exactly what America needs.

Even as we follow the Scripture in obedience in prayer for those in authority over us and all elected officials, we must never lose sight of the fact that the gospel of Christ is the only true answer.  Despite any social disagreements which you may have with someone, the enemy is not a person.  The enemy is sin.  Sin is the root of America’s challenges, and God’s people have the remedy – Christ! He has conquered sin and death! Sharing this message is the greatest act of love which any person can do.  Share the gospel with love and hope with your family, with your coworkers, with your neighbors, and even with strangers.  Only the power of Christ can prevent the sin which causes humans to act out against one another in hateful and harmful ways.  And only the power of Christ can heal the damage which sin causes.

Blessings, 

Pastor Bruce