CRY ALOUD AND SPARE NOT

It's a sad fact that many Christians in America do not think for themselves, and they are too quick to believe much of what they are told from the pulpit, the powers that be, and the press without checking the Bible as the standard and basis for truth and morality. Scripture says: "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time for the days are evil" (Eph 5:15-16). Unfortunately, Christians seem oblivious to what is taking place right before our very eyes. For instance, over the past several weeks, Bush and officials in the Bush Administration have repeatedly told the American public and the rest of the world that "we have conclusive proof of Saddam's proliferation of weapons of mass destruction", yet the only hard evidence offered to date was the 50 page dossier from the British government released September 24th. To date, the Bush Administration sadly only offers rhetoric and fails to provide the American people with any proof. What is the big secret? If the British government could release such information why couldn't our own (who surely has that information and more). No one seems to notice or care that much of what this administration does is covert and in secret, offering no apologies when abuses are uncovered. "As long as Bush is not committing adultery in the White House, then everything else he does is ok" - seems to be the prevailing mindset among a majority of "Conservative" Christians today. Are we forgetting that the very people who ran Enron into the ground (while reaping great fortunes for themselves and bankrupting the retirement savings of thousands of workers in the process) were the same energy executives meeting with VP Cheney to help shape the Bush Administration national energy policy? To date, VP Cheney is fighting the release of Court subpoenaed papers related to the energy policy meetings under the false cloak of "executive authority" and "national security". Why is the Administration covering up meetings with indicted and convicted criminals as items of national security? And how is it that the President can label someone not willing to give him unchecked authority as "unpatriotic" or "not concerned with the safety of the American people" and that be acceptable?

Also, as what's going on in our Country doesn't have a direct adverse affect upon them, many believers have no problem with overlooking some of the present covert and repressive activities of the government here and abroad. While it may not be your son or daughter or other close relative being unlawfully detained as a "material witness to terror", the fact remains that in America, holding people without charge simply because they are of middle eastern descent and refusing to release them when you have no proof of ANY criminal activity on their part is not only constitutionally, but also morally and Biblically wrong. What kind of nation are we becoming? We want to bomb Iraq supposedly for oppressing its people, but look the other way when some of the same oppressive actions are happening here in America??? Friends, something is wrong with that picture.

Indeed, it is true that Saddam is a menace to the global community and most likely possesses weapons of mass destruction. However, I do not see how Christians can justify eliminating Saddam's evil regime (which is NOT a material threat to America) and rationalize Bush's mad quest for unchecked presidential authority or unrivaled global power and at the same time overlook the illegal detaining of many American citizens of Middle Eastern descent who are even as I type this being held captive by the Bush administration in its "protection of American interests against terrorism". Yes, we need to protect the country and its vast interests, but that doesn't excuse unlawful behavior by our government or the violation of constitutional laws and rights. Moreover, there is no scriptural support in any Bible that I know of for such illegal and immoral actions by our nation's leaders who claim to be "Christians". God does not have a double standard for sin. If its wrong for Saddam to jail innocent people then its wrong for America to do so as well. If its wrong for extremists to 'kill in the name of God', then its equally wrong for our America to say that we are on 'god's side fighting a war against evil' while it makes every effort to systematically remove God and any reference to God from our speech, our schools and other stamps of national identity.

We say we are a "Christian" nation, yet the President seeks to wage war on a global scale and allow our soldiers to violate human rights and protect our soldiers from being prosecuted for those crimes because they were committed while "fighting to preserve American freedom and protecting its interests". Can a godly nation truly condone such unrighteous behavior? If we are to be "one nation under God", then we must take the country back to its biblical roots and act Biblically in our dealings with each other and the world. Otherwise, we are no different than the inquisitors of old who "tortured in the name of the Lord", or the terrorists and extremists and/or other madmen that we say we are trying to eliminate "for the sake of world peace." If America uses the same means of oppression, deception, and aggression to achieve 'world peace', then we really should ask ourselves is "peace at any price" acceptable from a Biblical point of view?

Equally troubling is the fact that when one speaks out against wrongs of the government or insists on the constitutionally placed (for good reasons) system of checks and balances of the American governmental system to remain as they are, then they are ridiculed as a "liberal". Liberals, who in the opinion of Rep. Dick Armey, R. Texas: "are not bright people...they don't think deeply, they don't comprehend; they don't understand...they have a 'narrow' educational base" I take this statement and belief as a personal insult. More disturbing, however, is the fact that Armey's belief is also the mindset of many in the "conservative leadership" in America today. Just because a person doesn't agree with you on a particular issue doesn't mean that they do not have the capacity to understand...This is a fundamental problem with most "conservatives": they conclude that "understanding is agreeing" when very simply it is not. In the defense of the liberal mindset, if the liberal voice was not in place when the constitution was written, then Americans today would not live in a democratic society, but rather in a pure republic where the power to rule and govern would perpetually be held by a few and the rights of all subject to the narrow interpretation of the elite - truly frightening when you realize that unfortunately, man in his best efforts is not God and will overtime give in to his base sin nature, regardless of the cost to others. Beloved, this is why we need God today, so he can save and protect us from ourselves and our leaders.

It is also alarming how many people are quick to say "Bush is a Christian", yet when he acts in an unchristianlike manner those same people excuse Bush's actions with "well its different because he's the President" or that "everyone else in government is doing it"; so I guess that makes it ok. Whether or not Bush is a Christian is not my call or concern, its God's. Rather than waste time with Bush's salvation question, it's better for me to do as the Lord said in his Word and be "watchful and prayerful". In this way, regardless of whether or not Bush is a Christian does not hinder me from being spiritually prepared at the Lord's return. We all sin and have issues to resolve in our own heart of hearts (Rom 3:23). However, I find it disturbing when our leaders can find torture, murder and other such crimes expedient when those crimes suit their purpose and the Church sadly remains silent. In this great country of ours, we can condemn adultery by one president, but excuse improper financial dealings by the next - a blaring double standard. In my opinion, (which the Bible supports), sin is sin*period. And the Church should have a strong and consistent voice that rebukes the sins of the nation: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins." (Isa 58:1)

In my humble opinion, far too many in the Church in America today have become overly caught up in the trappings of the American way of life and have their heads in the sand. The Church has forgotten that even while enjoying life here in America, we are to yet live as a people chosen of God, reflecting His holiness and light in all that we do. Sadly, the collusion of the Christian faith and the American governmental system, has shown to be a great failure because although God and his word has not changed, the Church in America has become weakened by willingness to compromised clear Biblical principles and rationalize a double standard for sin. Jesus did not die on the cross so we as Christians can live comfortably here in America and look the other way when sin is overtaking the land. We were bought with a price by the selfless sacrifice of the Lord Jesus who was willing to shed his blood for us all so that there would be an atonement for sin, not acceptance of sins by our national leaders. Friends, our eternal security is not preserved by what has done been done yesterday by Clinton, today by Bush and what will be done tomorrow by whoever is in the White House but is retained when we as a Church stand strong against the sins that so easily beset us.

Don't get me wrong; this is a great country, and I'm glad to live here and would want to live nowhere else. However, I would not say that a government that knowingly and willingly convicts and imprisons innocent people and has for decades and also allows illegal behavior at the highest levels to subsist is one that is truly acting in our best interests. There are many forces at work in America right now; many evil and few good. This is not to say that the Church should go around labeling everyone acting improper in the government the Antichrist. But rather, each of us should be mindful of the Biblical admonition that spirit of antichrist is here among us, and has been working against the Church from the beginning, and will continue to work against the Church until the Lord's return: "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. " (1 John 4:3).

My friends, while I see things with a very definite sense of black and white (with very little, if any grey), I am not stupid enough to expect that most people should think as I do. However, more often than not, I am realizing that in the things of God, most really are simple black and white and not much grey: either you love him or you don't, you obey his word or you don't; you accept him or you won't, and you're saved or you are not. "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot." (Rev 3:15) Let each of us, today start anew and take up the clarion call: CRY ALOUD AND SPARE NOT. Take the time to examine your life for the sin that lurks within, and begin the process of purification by confession and repentance. And when we have that peace with God, because we know we have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, let us not condone evil because we may benefit, but in all things, simply call sin what it is: sin --regardless of whether its committed by Bush, Saddam or myself. We are only here for a passing moment...Pilgrims on a journey; indeed, heaven is our ultimate home and the life we now live should remind us and show others of the reality of that fact. By all means, enjoy the blessings of God here in America and to the best of your ability do all that you can to provide a comfortable living for you and yours, but don't let your soul be sold for the false security of American prosperity and might, but rather my beloved, be ever watchful and ready for the Lord's return and when you see trouble on the horizon, CRY ALOUD AND SPARE NOT..

Love in Christ,

Pastor Reggie