Thinking About Tomorrow

If we were to look back at the last 100 years of church history in the USA we’d realize that a lot has changed.  Some of those changes have been good; many, not so good.  Most believers would agree that morality in America has been on a steady decline and it seems that with every step of decline society takes, the church follows right behind.  I’m waiting for the day when Christians wake up and say, “Hold on, enough is enough!  How did we ever get here?” 

It may come as a bit of a surprise, but I am optimistic as I look ahead.  Despite the spiritual decline we see in America, I am excited that true believers will stand out all the more.  You see it is “easy” to be a Christian in a “Christian nation,” but not so easy when a nation is intolerant of Christianity.   The farther society wanders from the truths of God’s Word, the more believers will expose how different they are from the world.  I believe it will only become increasingly more difficult to ride the fence and disguise our faith if we are going to truly follow the Lord.  This is what excites me because this is what Jesus intended all along for His church!  

So as we look to the future, I believe there is hope for the church.  The church may shrink in numbers, but it will only evidence who the true church really is.  My desire is that the body of Christ will realize how vain it is to try to blend with society.  I desire  to see Christians take a stronger stand for Christ.  I desire to see Christians excited to understand the relevance of the Bible and attend church with fellow Christians, not because it’s “the right thing to do,” but because they realize they need it!  I desire the church becomes confident that the world really has nothing that will satisfy the longings of the soul. I believe this is possible for the church of the 21^st century.  In countries where Christians are persecuted the most we find some with the strongest, most authentic faith.  The church is growing in parts of the world today and it seems to be in places where society is intolerant of Christianity.  God may use the spiritual crumbling of a nation to wake the church up.   

In America’s past, much of society looked to the church and God’s Word for direction.  Those days seem to be gone.  As we move into the future we must consider the cost and then unashamedly identify ourselves with Jesus.  A church like that will be worth being part of.  A church like that will, despite ridicule, be attractive.  A church like that will evidence that their focus really is on Christ, the true head of the church.  A church like that has a reward in heaven awaiting them.  I want to be part of that church, don’t you!