Not a Chicken or Egg Question

I've recently heard comments from different Christians that God’s wrath will be coming to this nation because of the recent decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the resultant federal sanctioning of homosexual marriage. I think this statement distorts the truth a bit, and I believe God wants me to write about this issue. I don’t want to come across as critical of others or to close doors on relationships for both now and in the future. However, I do want to be faithful to my God and King and I want to share truth with those who are, like me, seeking to live in truth and love.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… (Romans 1:16)
It all started when as a nation, as a culture, and as Christians, we forgot the power and importance of truth. We decided that, at least in some areas of our lives, it would be more convenient to live as if “truth” were relative rather than absolute. Now, it’s true that it’s not always easy to discern the truth, but it’s out there and can be found. The scientific method is based on this assumption, and for the believer, the belief in truth extends beyond natural laws and into moral law. But culturally we have increasingly become more agenda-driven, more likely to cover up a fact that doesn't support our agenda for fear that it would weaken our attempts to win an argument. We've reached a point where we can’t talk. But this behavior doesn't allow the truth to set us free or let the healthy conflict grow our understanding of the truth. (Proverbs 27:17) In covering up the issues, we can’t work to resolve them.

We have failed to love our brother: the minority, the exploited, or simply the person who struggled with a sin that was different from the familiar one that plagued us. And because we didn't want our argument weakened, we ignored or minimized our offending behavior, never really apologizing and turning away from our wrong actions. So people started questioning Christianity and started accusing Christians as hypocrites. If we are completely honest, we will concede to the truth behind many of these accusations. If we are afraid that it will weaken our arguments, then we need to more fully believe in the power of the truth. It will make itself known, with or without our help. God will become more visible in our weaknesses than in our strengths; replying “I don’t know” is simply more powerful than “don’t ask those kinds of questions”.

But even if believers in this nation have been poor witnesses, anyone who rejects God can only blame it on themself, because the truth always makes itself known. And because we as a nation have rejected God, He is rejecting us. Who can look at this past year and honestly not question if God might be trying to get our attention: the drought of 2012, Hurricane Sandy, horrific shootings, tornadoes in Oklahoma, secret government initiatives to spy on the American people, and weakening of the 5th Amendment? And in our arrogance, we proclaim: “We are strong and resilient! We will rebuild!” Instead, we should be seeking God and crying: “Have mercy! Turn our hearts toward You and Your ways! Forgive my brothers! Have mercy and bring healing, Lord!”

The wrath of God isn’t coming upon America because DOMA was repealed or because we've been greedy as a people. These are results of a wrath that has been unfolding for decades to a people that have refused to listen to His voice and allow the truth to free both them and the world around them. We cannot suppress the truth of God; He will not allow it. 
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. 
(Romans 1:18-32)
There is still time for us to turn back to Him. He will be true to His nature and will avert His wrath if we just return to Him. But if we don’t, His hand of protection will be removed quickly and this nation will fall. I can’t say when this will happen, but I know that the urgency of this message is increasing. 

copyright ©2013 Mitchell Malloy (http://mitchellmalloyblogspot.com/)

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