8-17-22 Wake up, really

Daily Jot: Wake up, really - Bill Wilson – www.dailyjot.com One of the most disturbing polls taken to date states that “When asked which institutions can help create meaningful change in a divided nation, Americans overwhelmingly believe the government (at the national, state and local levels) is responsible for curing the ills of the United States.” According to this Barna poll, “Half of Americans see the federal government as responsible for making things better—that’s twice the number that hold religious organizations or Christians churches responsible for making real change possible.” Aside from the very fact that Christians and Christian churches are failing at influencing the moral fabric of this country, this Barna poll indicates a very sinister trend that should alarm every American. In 2019, Gallup reported that some 43% of Americans viewed socialism as a good thing for America. This compared with 25% in 1942. Gallup said “a majority of Democrats have said they view socialism positively in Gallup polling since 2010, including 57% in the most recent measure in 2018.” The Gallup survey, taken in April 2019, also found that nearly 30% of Americans want government distribution of wealth, 35% want government responsibility for wages, and 33% want government control over the economy. Interesting that these percentages coincide with the percentage of the population who are also registered Democrats, although the Gallup survey did not distinguish party affiliation. The Communist Manifesto says, “But communism abolishes eternal truths, it abolishes all religion, and all morality, instead of constituting them on a new basis; it therefore acts in contradiction to all past historical experience.” Other linchpins of communism are enumerated in the Manifesto: 1) Abolition of property ownership, 2) a heavy progressive income tax, 3) abolition of all rights of inheritance, 4) confiscation of property, 5) centralization of credit, 6) centralization of transportation, 7) centrally planned economy, 8) obligation to work, 9) abolishing distinction between towns and country, and 10) a free education for children. Socialism and communism depend on replacing God with government. The Barna poll indicates government is in. God is out. We need to sound the warning bells from the church tops. Trouble is, the “church” is a huge part of the problem. And it needs to wake up. Instead of teaching a self-indulgent, emotional, extra-biblical doctrine, the “feel good” preachers, pastors, priests need to wake up to the power of the gospel. The country is turning to government as god! Exodus 20:3 says, “Thou shalt have no other god’s before me.” When government replaces God, bad things happen. Barna’s poll shows that “Compared to all U.S. adults, practicing Christians are much more likely to say that Christian leaders (49%) and religious leaders (44%) should bring about meaningful change.” Key word here is “should.” Christian leaders have people willing to follow. They need to wake up and lead. You see what’s happening.