I Was Just Thinking About - - -
A prospective presidential candidate was being asked a series of questions about his view of the nation and what he would do to bring about positive and constructive change if he became a candidate and was elected President. Without hesitation, he made the following statement: “Decline is a choice - not a destiny.” That phrase is one that summarizes many issues in one’s personal life. It has application to business decisions and governmental direction as well (does a nation lead or follow). In a rapidly changing culture, does the Nation or Church capitulate to the new norms unfolding or does it continue to remain established on the normal norms and Judeo-Christian ethical values?
Within the past 100 years, the foundations began to crumble within outstanding Universities and Seminaries. The once hallowed halls of academia allowed for a shift to evolutionary thought in Science and liberal interpretations in the Schools of Theology. As the decline occurred in the Seminaries, it soon began to impact the Denominations and Churches within the country. It should be remembered that: “Decline is a Choice - Not a Destiny.” Either by a devious or deliberate plan on the one hand, or apathy and indifference on the other, erosion and decline began and has been steadily gaining momentum. Even though new schools of learning were being established, they have not been able to gain the traction, notice or prestige that continues to be held by the very old institutions.
Within the past 50 years, an evolution began within the framework of the values that had been long-embraced by the Nation and Church. Some of the basic values that were once cherished have entered the realm of decline. The list is long but it can be seen in the areas of Prayer and Bible Reading in the Public Schools discouraged and removed; Abortion on Demand being legalized by the Supreme Court of the United States; same gender marriages becoming legal in most states of the union; and many other intrusions into the realm of moral values and foundational principles. The Bible that at one time was central within our governmental institutions is no longer prominent. There are a few occasions when some religious reference occurs. Many times a speech may end with “God Bless America.” At one time that phrase had greater reality than it does today. I suppose a question that could be raised when that phrase is used is: Why should God Bless America? What have we done and what are we doing to deserve His Blessing rather than His Judgment? When we condone and legalize that which His Word and Law prohibits and condemns, have we not placed our nation where it is more deserving of His Curse rather than His Blessing?
In thinking about “Decline is a choice - not a destiny” one can easily relate to Biblical History and the evidence of bad choices being made that impacted one’s life and destiny. Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden had an opportunity to obey one directive from God the Creator that would enable them to remain in a perfect relationship and fellowship with God. Their decline was based upon their choice and it ultimately became the decline for the entire human race and history that has followed. There is this summary in the middle of The Resurrection Chapter - I Corinthians 15:20-22 (NASB) that states: “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” If one chooses to follow the path of the first Adam, he will most assuredly be on the slippery slope of decline. This will be his destiny - physical and spiritual death. However, if one makes the deliberate choice to embrace Jesus Christ and His values, his destiny will be eternal life and the reality of entering God’s Heaven.
The words of Joshua 24:14-15 should be boldly proclaimed today. Joshua and Caleb were two men who had made a wise choice of following the Lord wholeheartedly. Prior to his death, Joshua reviews Israel’s History with the people. He then states the words in verse 14-15, “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Would they make the wise and right choice? What choice would you have made?
In 1845, James Russell Lowell wrote a Hymn that contains these meaningful and purposeful words: “Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side; Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight, And the choice goes by forever, ’twixt that darkness and that light.” The words stated earlier - “Decline is a Choice - not a Destiny” - are valid for the Church and Nation today. What or Who will prevail - the culture or Jesus Christ? The Hymn concludes with these words: “Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the truth alone is strong; Though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong; Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.” For the people of God, this is our moment to choose. If we choose that which is culturally trendy, our destiny will be decline and demise. Choose today Whom (or what) you will serve. It is either the solid rock, Jesus Christ or the eroding culture that is trending toward captivity and entrapment in the cultural maze. Consider these things with me.
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