A State of Emergency

President Trump has declared “A State of Emergency” on our Southern border in an effort to secure funding to build his promised border wall.

This declaration has further polarized Republicans and Democrats. Conservatives and Liberals. Pro-Trump and Non-Trump advocates. Of course, the media is having a field day with political pundits in their respective corners pontificating about the merits of this declaration or the lack thereof.

Predictably, many on social media are passionately sharing their views. Some with harsh and hateful language. Sadly some who profess allegiance to Christ have dimmed and diminished their light with vitriolic speech.

I agree there is a national emergency, but it is even more serious than our porous southern border and the problem of illegal immigration. So, before our readers get riled up and are ready to comment pro or con about this issue, this post is not political. I’m not espousing a position on the President or his proclamation.

The state of emergency I’m speaking of is a spiritual, moral and ethical crisis. It is a crisis of the soul.

There is a spiritual crisis when tolerance is more valued than Truth.

There is a spiritual crisis when the opinions of celebrities, sports stars, and political leaders are preferred over the Word of God.

There is a spiritual crisis when relativism is revered more than righteousness.

There is a spiritual crisis when sensual gratification, choice, and convenience are cherished more than the life of an unborn child.

There is a spiritual crisis when politicians applaud the passage of a bill that allows for late-term abortions up to the time of birth instead of weeping over the barbaric and inhumane disregard for life.

There is a spiritual crisis when Christians believe that politicians are the answer to our nation’s ills instead of Jesus Christ and His revealed Word.

There is a spiritual crisis when religious leaders are more concerned with their positions, popularity, and pocketbooks than in proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.

There is a spiritual crisis when sexual perversion is celebrated and the sanctity of marriage is disregard, debased and denounced.

There is a spiritual crisis when we are more concerned about our personal comfort than the content of our character.

There is a spiritual crisis when material prosperity is more important than spiritual growth.

There is a spiritual crisis when we ignore injustice, prejudice and racial discrimination instead of standing for what is right.

There is a spiritual crisis when we believe we are self-sufficient and can thrive alone without the support of a Church-Family.

There is a spiritual crisis when we abdicate our personal responsibility instead of being accountable and answerable for our actions and attitudes.

While I’m an optimist by nature, these humanistic trends do not bode well for our nation’s future. However, “it is far better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” While I may not have much direct influence of what happens in the White House, the Court House or the State House, I can be an example of goodness and godliness in my house. In the Lord’s house where I worship. With my family and friends. And in the community where I live.

In his 1921 commencement address at Wheaton College, our 30th President Calvin Coolidge spoke the truth that is needed today. “We do not need more material development, we need more spiritual development, we do not need more intellectual power, we need more moral power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. We do not need more government, we need more culture. We do not need more laws, we need more religion.”

“We do not need more of the things that are seen,” Coolidge added, “We need more of the things that are unseen.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman