Where do we go from here as a nation, a congregation and a Christian "under God"? Firstly, "as a nation under God" Let us look from where we were in 1939 to present. We have gone from going to court to get the last phrase in "Gone With The Wind" (The word "damn" to which the audience at that time gasped, "We’ve never heard anything so depraved in our lives"!...)to the vulgarities in today’s movies and air ways – from modest dress to near nudity – from capital punishment for murder to murder on demand (abortion)– from every person being responsible for their own actions to every one elses fault but the perpetrator – from true justice to frivolous lawsuits that enriches unscrupulous people and lawyers (The tobacco lawsuits for example). The term "American Justice" is an oxymoron today! We have gone from Family values and pride to unmarried couples bragging about their "love child" – from homosexuality being a SIN against God and nature to "an alternate lifestyle" – from the judicial system interpreting the constitution and laws original intent to legislating from the bench (social activist) – from a nation governed under the "Rule of Law" to a nation governed by "Situation Ethics". The Liberal element of our society who like to label themselves "progressives" (I believe the true label for them is "digressive") are leading this nation to disaster. History bears out this fact as we look at all of the great nations (civilizations) of the past and see that we obviously are on the same path to destruction. The only thing it seems we learn from history is that we do not learn from history. We see this self destruction from the Roman empire in secular history and also from Biblical history in Old Testament times (Jeremiah 5:27-31). Where do we go from here as a nation "under God"? Where do we go from here as a congregation "under God"? The Christian Church and Church of Christ (as well as many denominations) used to call "SIN" by its first name! Now we are hearing, "It was a little mistake" – "it’s not his or her fault" – "God understands that I no longer love my mate and I know He wants me to be happy" – "I know it is not right, but I just feel it is the right thing for me" – "How can it be wrong when it feels so right" – I know what God says about homosexuality, but God made me like this so I believe He accepts me as I am" – "We must not judge, you know what the Bible says about "casting the first stone". We could go on forever with today’s thinking and Philosophy. The "church" is so enamored with growth, political correctness and "sensitivity" that her leaders are more interested in pleasing people than pleasing God! I don’t need to go into great detail because most of you reading this are quite aware of what has happened to the congregations that claim to be the church of Christ. Many no longer believe that God says what He means and means what He says. The "Jesus" and "God" of the religious world is NOT the "Jesus" and "God" of your Bible! Jesus says He must have first place in the life of the Christian (Matthew 10:34-39; 16:24-26; John 8:31-32). Jesus says through His apostles that "He is the way, the truth, the life and the only way to the Father" (John 14:6)! He also says through the Apostle Paul that He is the only Name concerning salvation (Acts 4:12) and the only foundation for our faith and life (1 Corinthians 3:11)! Jesus gives through the Apostle Peter on the day of the beginning of His church the only way into Himself and that was to "repent and be immersed FOR the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Peter also said this promise was to all people for all time (Acts 2:39)! Nowhere do we ever find "the sinner’s prayer" or "just ask Jesus to come into your heart" that is being proclaimed by 98% of the religious world today! Many of the Christian churches and churches of Christ no longer believe or preach that baptism is ESSENTIAL for salvation! What is the gain if the "church" boast 100,000 in membership if they are all lost on the day of judgment because of disobedience to the Lord’s direct command? By what or whose authority does any preacher have for telling anyone any other way of salvation than what the Bible clearly states? We need more preachers today with enough spine to stand up to these groups and say as Peter, John and all the Apostles, "we must obey God rather than man" as found in Acts 5:29 (also read Acts 4:19-20)! When you hear preachers or others tell you what THEY think, feel and believe rather than a "thus says the Lord" you had better beware! Your eternal destiny is to important a matter to depend on what anyone thinks, feels and believes! God has spoken on this all important subject and has made it so plain that a young child can understand it unless he or she has "professional" help! Where do we go from here as a congregation "under God"? We had better return to, contend for and proclaim "the faith that was once for all delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3)! Where do we go from here as a Christian "under God"? The first thing we need to do is to look to God’s Word for our rule of faith and practice in everything pertaining to our life here and hereafter! The life of faith that is pleasing to God is produced by His Word (Romans 10:17)! The Word contains everything we need to be faithful and successful (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The principles, ethics and standards found in the Word of God must become incarnate in our lives so that this new nature will guide our every decision and action in life. Only as this is true can we expect the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in our lives (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control)! If we are to be pleasing unto God our lips and life, our walk and talk must agree! Only in this way can we be the witness to the world that God wants us to be and have any credibility with God and man! When this is a reality in our life, then we will have the tools necessary to have the abundant life that Jesus came to give (John 10:10) and that which is necessary to reach out with the truth. Where do we go from here as a nation and congregation "under God"? It will be determined by each one of us and our relationship (or lack of it) with God through our lord Jesus Christ! It all begins with the individual and progresses to families, the church, the community, the State and the nation! If changes in the church and the Nation "under God" ever takes place it will be when the REAL Christians stand up and speak up for THE TRUTH! It will be when we hold our leaders (both national and church) accountable to the standard of God’s Word and if what they say and what they actually do is a contradiction, REMOVE THEM FROM OFFICE before they pick other leaders and judges who do not stand for nor live up to God’s standards! When we incorporate God’s standard into our own lives we will be victorious with God (and that is what really counts) even if we are not victorious with the church or the nation. Where the nation and the "church" goes from here is not nearly as important as where I go from here! The truth is I am already victorious in Jesus Christ! "The world didn’t give it to me and the world can’t take it away"! I am not overly optimistic concerning the "church" or the nation, but I am totally optimistic concerning my life in Jesus Christ! God is still on His throne and in control! My hope is and always has been only in Him, never the "church" nor America. God doesn’t wear the uniform of any nation! It is not important whether God is on our side, but the important thing is for us to be on God’s side (2 Chronicles 7:14)!!