The New America

Can you feel it? There is an anti-Christian movement spreading throughout this country. Now, I’m not sure if I am feeling this so strongly because I have recently come into a very powerful relationship with Christ, but I know it’s here. It’s in the form of liberalists who insist on the protection of rights for everyone except Christians; it’s in the form of new spiritual movements, promoted by national icons like Oprah Winfrey; it’s in the form of so-called Christian churches that distort the Word to appease society.

This movement is very strong, and Christians—real, faithful, believing Christians—are bullied into a corner blanketed by silence. The anti-Christian movement likes silence. A day of “silence” for the LGBT community is manifesting in our children’s schools and is expected to climax on April 25, 2008. That silence needs to be countered with the noise of prayer—prayer for children who are forced to accept something that our Bible says is a sin. The protection of rights for Christian children is disintegrating.

Oprah enjoys the silence as well. She is led by Eckharrt Tolle, author of A New Earth Phenomenon: An Hour That Can Change Your Life, in an opening moment of “silence” during one of her latest webcasts (YouTube). She is promoting a “New American Spirituality” via webcasts, her website, and her TV show. She has blatantly denied Jesus is the only way to God. She has gone as far as proclaiming God is not even what the Bible says, “God is a feeling experience, not a believing experience” (Oprah, YouTube). Her website (Oprah.com) clearly explains the concepts this book campaigns: “old spirituality,” which includes God, Jesus, one path to salvation, and church, is no longer the way; “new spirituality” is the way. It teaches:

1. “You are your own best authority.”
2. “You listen within for your own definition of spirituality.”
3. “Many paths lead to spiritual freedom and peace. …String a necklace all your own.”
4. “Everything is sacred…. The world is sacred, too, with all of its light and darkness.”
5. “The truth is like the horizon…forever changing its shape and color. Let your spiritual path change and diverge as you journey toward it.”

Let us not forget what the Bible (NIV) says:

1. The Lord is the only authority on and of this earth.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18

It is only through Him that men are given any authority—to do His will for His glory:

“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” – Matthew 10:1

2. We cannot define our own spirituality; the Lord gives us this wisdom.

“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” Psalm 51:6

3. There are not many paths. There is only one. No one gets to God, the Father, except through our Lord Jesus Christ. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

God wants to shower us with peace and freedom from the troubles of this world:

“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” Job 22:21

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…” 1 Peter 1:8

Filled with inexpressible and glorious joy! How much more freedom and peace is there?

4. This world is full of evil. The darkness of the world is not sacred.

“I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.” Isaiah 13:11

The darkness of this world is the illusion of pleasure—worldly desires that draw us away from the Lord:

“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:4

5. The truth is never-changing.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

The only absolute in life is our Lord who remains forever the same:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rev. 22:13

There is no truth to be found in this world:

“Therefore say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.” Jeremiah 7:28

There is only one truth that we should seek:

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

All that Oprah is following and promoting is against everything the Bible says; it is anti-Christian; it is anti-Christ. Hopefully she will turn her heart and listen, “Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.” (Acts 8:22)

The Holy Bible is guidance for our time on Earth. It is our instruction for salvation, hope, peace, love, and everlasting life. No other truth, way, or spiritual walk will speak to us the way the Lord does through His word. There are churches in this nation who distort God’s word to fit society. They justify their teachings by hiding behind the idea of mistranslation. They conform to the ways of the world instead of helping the world conform to the ways of our Lord. These churches silence the voice of God.

God should not be silenced! Christians should not be silenced! We should be heard loud and clear when expecting religious freedoms and equal protection of our rights under the law.

Most importantly, we should be loud in prayer. This country needs prayer more now than ever. This nation, this world, is in need of healing that only God can provide. I encourage every God-loving Christian, every “unsure about God” person, and everyone who wants to see our society change to take advantage of the National Day of Prayer that is approaching. On May 1, 2008, thousands of people will join in prayer for this country. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.” NationalDayofPrayer.com has a list of cities around the nation where people will be gathering. Even if you don’t go to a public gathering to pray, spend time that day in your home or church in deep prayer for the much needed healing of our country, healing of the hearts of our leaders, and protection for all of God’s people.