Secularism
There is no doubt about it. The United States is a secular country. Even though the founding of this country was grounded on biblical principles, we have drifted far from them.
Secular humanism is firmly entrenched as our society’s religion. This religion declares that man is autonomous. Of course, whenever a society becomes completely secularized, it also must become anti-Christian. This is because Christianity stands opposed to the very concept of man being autonomous. Christianity makes man accountable to his Creator and that is forbidden according to the beliefs and values of secular humanism.
In its effort to be “religiously neutral”, a secular society stands opposed to any recognition of one true God; especially the name of Jesus Christ. This was very evident in two recent prayers offered at government proceedings. The prayer given to open the 117th Congress concluded with these words,
We ask it in the name of the monotheistic god, Brahma, and god known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awoman.
The second prayer was given at the recent Presidential Inauguration. This prayer closed with these words.
In the strong name of our collective faith, Amen.
Last week I shared that, unless there is a supernatural revival in the land, Christianity will come under ever-increasing attacks. To stand for Jesus Christ publicly will bring greater and greater persecution.
The new administration has already made policy decisions that have expanded government funding of abortion and advanced the LGBTQ agenda. If the Equality Act becomes law, as promised by this administration, it will become illegal for an organization, including Christian organizations, to discriminate when hiring individuals based on one’s sexual orientation.
In my last post, I shared that in order to survive and thrive in a secular, anti-Christian culture, every Christian must be intentional in growing in his/her knowledge of two things—God and Truth!
We must develop a strong, personal, and intimate relationship with the God of the universe. It is not enough to know God by His love, mercy and forgiveness. We must also know Him as One who is holy, righteous and just. When we truly know God, we will fear Him and this, in turn, will result in us trusting Him. In the days to come, we will not survive if we don’t put our total trust in God.
We must also grow in our knowledge of truth. If we don’t know truth, we will very easily be taken captive by the false ideas and worldviews that today’s secular culture constantly bombards us with. As we strive to know truth, it is important to remember that truth is a person—Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
In order to grow in our knowledge of God and truth, there are three things that I believe we must do. These actions must be intentional and continual. They are not optional; especially when it comes to how we educate future generations.
These actions were foundational in the life of Ezra. Ezra lived in a day that is very similar to the one we find ourselves in today. God’s people were in captivity to a pagan culture. However, Ezra was able to fulfill God’s will for his life in a miraculous way.
This priest was part of the remnant that went back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Of course, when they tried to do this, they faced fierce opposition from the pagan culture that was all around them. The opposition was able to stop the work of rebuilding God’s temple.
Then something amazing happened. Ezra went up from Babylon to join the effort to rebuild the temple of God. Here is where you find something that seemed impossible taking place. Not only was Ezra allowed to go to Jerusalem but the pagan king of Babylon gave Ezra everything that he requested for the journey. The Bible records that the reason this happened was because God’s hand was upon him (Ezra).
If there was ever a time when God’s people need God’s hand upon them, it is now. This didn’t happen because Ezra was a special superhero or that he simply prayed and asked for God’s hand to be on him. No, there were three things that were part of Ezra’s life that brought God’s blessing on all he did.
On the first day of the first month he began his journey from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statues and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:9-10 (NKJV)
Ezra was a man much like Daniel. Ezra had prepared his heart to do certain things. Daniel had purposed in his heart not to do certain things. They both were men of conviction. This is exactly what is needed in the church today—men and women who prepare and purpose in their hearts to do three things.
Action #1: We must study God’s Word!
The only way to know God and truth is to study God’s Word. This is because God reveals Himself through the pages of Holy Scripture. Studying God’s Word is different from merely reading it from time to time. The original meaning of the word, study, carries with it the connotation of following or pursuing something. It means that one is seeking something and, therefore, searches for it. Today, God’s people need to pursue His Word and search for truth like never before in our country’s history.
I can remember the challenges I had trying to discern truth during my doctoral studies at the University of Virginia. So many times, the professor and/or the textbook presented material that seemed right—but was it true? In order to know truth, I had to search the Scriptures. It was difficult but necessary. Without a conviction to know truth as found in the Bible, I would have been susceptible to being taken captive by false beliefs (Colossians 2:8)
Parents, church leaders, and school educators must prepare their hearts to pursue God’s Word every day. It isn’t an option as the future of our children and grandchildren hangs in the balance.
Action #2: We must obey God’s Word!
It is one thing to study God’s Word; it is something else all together to obey it. Just knowing truth is not sufficient to surviving the challenges before us today. We must “do” the Word!
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25 (NKJV)
Unfortunately, we have a lot of hearers of the Word and few doers in our homes, churches and schools today. I am convinced that if the majority of those who claim to be Christians “did” the truth they knew, they would turn the world upside down.
We go to church, say amen to the sermon and then go out and live life as if we never heard a word that was preached. We have become like the person who defines a good sermon as one that goes over his shoulder and hits his neighbor. Studying God’s Word will have little impact on the culture if we don’t put it into practice.
Action #3: We must teach God’s Word!
This is where the rubber hits the road. It is this action where Christians have failed miserably over the past several decades. The home, church and school must be united in teaching God’s Word to the next generation.
This will require the church to teach and train parents about their God-given responsibility to biblically educate their children. Christian schools must also help train parents in this all-important task. Then, the home, church and school must unite to teach God’s Word to future generations.
Over the past several decades we have turned our children over to the State to educate them. Since the State is secular, it has indoctrinated several generations of young people in its religion of secular humanism. The result is they have become what they have been taught!
God’s hand of favor is no longer on our country and, sad to say, on us as Christians. The only way to have His favor return to our homes, churches and schools is to follow Ezra’s example. Kingdom Education Ministries is determined to help this become a reality. There are a couple of things that I want to encourage you to consider.
- Be sure to register your school at this summer’s Kingdom Education Summit. Registration is now open. We need Christian school leaders, pastors and other church leaders, and individuals who are committed to providing our children and grandchildren with a biblical education to attend. Remember that KEM Prime Member schools receive a discount on their registration.
- If you are a Christian school administrator, make sure your school is a KEM Prime Member. If you are a teacher at a Christian school, check and see if your school is a member. If not, encourage your administrator to consider becoming a member. By becoming a KEM Prime Member, your staff, board and enrolled families have full access to resources that will equip them with a biblical worldview and philosophy of education.
- To join, click here. Use the discount coupon code, KESDISC21, to receive a $50 discount off the low annual fee.
There is no question that the nations, including my own country, are raging against God. However, I was reminded that I am serving the Ancient of Days when I listened to these words. I trust that they will be a blessing to you. You can watch by clicking here.
‘Ancient of Days‘
Words and Music by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren & Jesse Reeves © 2018 CityAlight Music
Verse 1
Though the nations rage Kingdoms rise and fall; There is still one king; Reigning over all; So I will not fear; For this truth remains; That my God is, the Ancient of Days
Chorus
None above him, none before him; All of time in His hands; For His throne it shall remain and ever stand; All the power all the glory; I will trust in His name; For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Verse 2
Though the dread of night; Overwhelms my soul; He is here with me; I am not alone; O his love is sure; And He knows my name; For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Verse 3
Though I may not see; What the future brings; I will watch and wait; For the Saviour king; Then my joy complete; Standing face to face; In the presence of the Ancient of Days
Chorus
None above him, none before him; All of time in His hands; For His throne it shall remain and ever stand; All the power all the glory; I will trust in His name; For my God is, the Ancient of Days
Recent Comments