By Tammy Darling

 

Some in the Christian community say America is just one generation away from becoming a pagan nation. This belief prompted Josh McDowell and David H. Bellis to write The Last Christian Generation (Green Key Books, 2006).

Unless we return to the principles upon which this country was established, it’s possible the next generation of Americans could grow up without a solid biblical foundation.

For generations God’s law guided the social institutions of the United States of America. In the words of James Madison, “The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded.” 

Many of the colonists and Founding Fathers respected God’s Word and believed they could not build a nation apart from biblical precepts. They were willing to “mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor” because they cared deeply for their generation and for future generations. Can we say the same?

 

 

Investing in the Future

For the sake of future generations, we must take responsibility for carrying on the Founding Fathers’ legacy. If we wish to remain a Christian nation, we must return to America’s godly heritage. Every believer has an important role to play. We all have a sphere of influence. Few tasks are more fulfilling than investing in the lives of the next generation.

In years past, parents regularly took their children to church and read the Bible aloud at home. But the busier we’ve become chasing the American dream, the more we’ve pushed the Lord aside. We’re hard-pressed to hear God’s name mentioned—unless it’s used in vain.

We have been given divine instruction to teach the truth to our children: 

 

I will utter hidden things, things from of old—what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children (Psalm 78:2-6, NIV, 1984).

 

God not only tells us to teach our children about him, he also tells us what will happen if we do. “Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands” (v. 7).

 

Taking Responsibility

The cure for America’s spiritual weakness can be found in God’s Word. What we teach our children will determine the moral character of our nation.

We must not undervalue the importance of reaching those who are lost with the gospel of Christ. Pure love for Jesus Christ is the first step to developing pure morals and values, which will once again bring America under God’s government.

One way we teach the truth is by modeling a godly life. We can’t change the direction America is going if we are going the wrong way ourselves. Christians are not supposed to blend in with society—we’re meant to stand out.

We must not ignore the issues that confront our nation. The Declaration of Independence states, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

 Those who have the ability to act have the responsibility to act. We have no excuse. Our nation’s future is at stake, and more importantly, the spiritual welfare of our children and grandchildren are at stake.

We esteem reformers like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, who weren’t afraid to take a stand for what is right. But we need to do more than simply honor their acts; we need to follow their examples.

 

Exercising Our Citizenship

Proverbs 11:11 says, “The good influence of godly citizens causes a city to prosper” (The Living Bible).

The prophet Daniel did much to shape the opinions of those in power. His impact was far-reaching and long-term, covering both the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires during the reigns of multiple kings.

The Bible also describes how godly individuals influenced kings for the good of their people. Esther did so knowing it could cost her life.

Since “all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16, NIV), we should take to heart what it says. We will remain a Christian nation only as we apply God’s Word to our lives.

Prayer is essential, but we also need to put hands and feet behind our requests. We can influence those who are in power by contacting our lawmakers to encourage them to embrace the principles upon which our nation was founded.

Our leaders face a wide range of issues and can’t be experts in all areas. They rely on others—supporters and voters—when determining what to do. People who support abortion, same-sex marriage, and banning Christ’s name from our schools and businesses are pushing their agendas, while many Christians sit back and marvel at the rapid spiritual deterioration of our nation.

  The church cannot remain silent as the promoters of ungodly agendas speak out in a loud voice. We must wake up, find our own voice, and stand up for righteousness.

 

Getting Involved

Although anti-Christian sentiment is increasing, it’s not too late to turn the tide. God says, “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

We can blame the ungodly all we want, but the fact remains that we are partly responsible for the spiritual condition of our nation. Statesman Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Get involved in community affairs. Volunteer at schools, run for your local school board, and attend school meetings to make your voice heard. Write letters to the editor of your newspaper—just be sure to speak the truth in love.

Another way we can make a difference is through the officials we elect from local to national levels. Learn about the candidates who seek your vote. Vote not for a party but for ideals and values.

We can also teach the Word of God and the truth about our nation’s beginnings. We can share our testimony about God’s provision and leading in our lives. The unrighteous aren’t afraid to speak out; neither should we be afraid.

 

Making the Right Choice

We must decide now to take a stand for the future of America—for the future of our children, grandchildren, and all those to come. There is no comfort zone for those who decide to make a difference for the good of all.

We can leave a legacy of a nation governed by the laws of God or a legacy of tyranny as a result of the laws of men. For future generations, we need to make the right choice.

The church will survive and ultimately triumph at the return of Christ, but there is no promise that America will continue to be a Christian nation. In a society that rejects absolute truth, we must teach our children the truth about our nation’s history—the truth that is found in the Declaration and Constitution, and most importantly, the truth of Jesus Christ.

Future generations depend on it.

Tammy Darling is a freelance writer in Three Springs, Pennsylvania.

 

Talking With the Next Generations

 

Whether you’re a parent, youth leader, or teacher, you can speak wisdom to kids and teens. But sometimes it’s hard to know what to say about difficult topics. 

Thankfully, help is available. The following books are a part of Standard Publishing’s “On the Go Guide for Busy Parents” series.

 

I Want to Teach My Child About Fitness

by Shawn McMullen

 

I Want to Teach My Child About Manners

by Jennie Bishop

 

I Want to Teach My Child About Media 

by Kirsetin Morello

 

I Want to Teach My Child About Money

by Kathie and Doug Rechkemmer

 

I Want to Teach My Child About Sex 

by Dr. Karl and Shannon Wendt

 

I Want to Teach My Child About Values

by Marcy W. Bryan

 

I Want to Talk with My Teen About Addictions

by Megan Hutchinson

 

I Want to Talk with My Teen About Love, Sex and Dating

by Dr. Karl and Shannon Wendt

 

I Want to Talk with My Teen About Girl Stuff 

by Heather Flies

 

I Want to Talk with My Teen About Money Management

by Lisa Crayton

 

I Want to Talk with My Teen About Guy Stuff

by Dr. David Olshine

 

I Want to Talk with My Teen About Movies, Music and More

by Walt Mueller

 

For more information go to
www.standardpub.com