What makes a nation great? Some people might say that military strength is the key to greatness, but that just means there is a large defense budget. Is it humanitarian efforts that make a nation great? That reflects the heart of the people, but that’s not greatness.

How about how a nation treats Israel? There are blessings from God that result from how Israel is treated, but that doesn’t determine greatness.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance” (Psalm 33:12).

True greatness only comes by how much God is esteemed. If God Almighty is honored by the people then leadership will be required to honor Him too. If the people have turned to wickedness and evil, then the leadership of any nation will sink to the lowest morality. The United States of America is in trouble.

The USA was once a great nation. The Pilgrims traveled here to escape religious persecution. Those courageous men and women didn’t want the government dictating how to worship God. As more settlers came to the shores of America, colonies were established. Yet, the taxes and control of England was a burden that the Colonists decided to fight.

When our Founding Fathers drew up the Constitution they wanted to be sure that the govern- ment couldn’t dictate what a person was to believe, but they absolutely didn’t ban prayer from government meetings, the Ten Commandments from being publically displayed, or ban Christians from having rights to honor God above manmade laws that mock Him. The first item in the Bill of Rights reads:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for redress of grievances.”

When a nation denies God, that nation is on a downward path to destruction.

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psalm 33:6).

The first step of a nation’s downfall is denying God as the Creator. Evolution is the religion taught in our schools and God is banned. When God is denied then there is no moral guide and perversion runs wild. This amoral way of life is a worldwide happening and will bring worldwide destruction. God’s judgment will come soon, not only on the USA, but on every nation that denies Him.

You might argue that individual nations don’t belong to God. That may well be true, but Christians do and we make up a majority of the population. According to a 2015 Gallup poll, 75.2 percent of the population claims to be Christian. We belong first to God, then to our individual nations.

Christians are being silenced and our rights are being taken away, but we need to make our voices heard and take a stand for Jesus. Laws are being enacted where it’s illegal to call a man a man if he decides that he is a woman. That’s just insane. Gender isn’t a matter of choice. God made man and woman, it isn’t optional.

Tests can be run on a baby in the womb to determine if that child is male or female, yet kindergarteners are told they can decide if they are a girl or boy. This insanity must stop, but it will only get worse as we draw nearer to Daniel’s 70th week.

All citizens are subject to the laws enacted by our governments on Earth, but what do we do when those laws contradict God’s law? The simple answer is that we obey God. There are many laws in America these days that directly go against God. Government leaders choose to enact laws that violate basic truth.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3).

Yet abortion is legal and encouraged. Not only does the American government condone abortion, but those little people who are murdered are then sliced up and their tiny body parts are sold. It’s a profitable industry, but is fully Satanic. Abortion is a sin that results from other sin. It’s no secret how babies are made, so when you chose to have sexual relations you chose to have a child.

By God’s standards, all sexual relations are to be within a one man/one woman marriage. If a child is conceived in a sinful relationship and then killed, you have committed two sins. Remember that God’s love and forgiveness is there for you.

If you have had an abortion, performed an abortion, or encouraged someone to have an abortion I urge you to turn to Jesus for forgiveness. If you are truly sorry and ask Him to forgive you, He will. Then, as Jesus told the adulterous woman:

“… Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11b).

Turn to Him and let His love heal you and guide you.

When ungodly men and women are elected, we cannot expect our nation to be led along a righteous path. In the past few years America has had some very unrighteous leaders, and the choices before us don’t look good. We know that there is power behind the government, and it can be evil. Daniel had been fasting and praying for many days when an angel appeared to him. That angel had been sent to Daniel on the first day he prayed, but was delayed by an evil power.

“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia” (Daniel 10:13).

What power lies behind the leadership of America? It seems to be of the same evil as the prince of the kingdom of Persia. If the man or woman who is elected does not honor God Almighty, then America will fall deeper into unrighteousness. Without godly leaders, nations will be led into deep sin and God’s judgment will fall. Professing Christians have dropped the ball. Instead of voting for a person who honors God in word and deed we’ve allowed ungodly leadership.

Even many Christians voted for Mr. Obama and he has done his best to destroy this nation. He seems to be succeeding. The final nail in the coffin may have been the legalization of homosexual marriage, and now he’s elevating those who follow that agenda to a protected class. They are sinners in need of salvation through Jesus Christ.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Proverbs 29:2).

America is in need of righteous people in authority. Are we too far gone for God to help us? No, but if we continue to mock God He will send judgment. Nineveh was a barbaric gentile nation, but God saw fit to send Jonah to them with a warning.

“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2).

Jonah didn’t want to go, but when he finally did the entire city turned to God. What if a modern day Jonah went to Washington D.C. and told of God’s pending judgment? Many godly men have tried, but evil is hard to overcome. With God all things are possible, and one day every knee will bow before Jesus. Let’s start now. Bow before Him humbly and pray for this nation and our leaders.

This isn’t the first time in history that wickedness has gripped a nation. Many times the nation of Israel turned from God and they paid the consequences. When Solomon had built the Temple he went before God with sacrifice and prayer. God was pleased with the Temple and chose to dwell there. God told Solomon:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

This promise was given to the nation of Israel, but notice He said, “which are called by my name.” Do you call yourself a Christian? If so, then don’t take His name in vain. This is an Old Testament principle, but God’s promises are not limited to a particular time. If you call yourself a Christian then you are identifying with Christ.

You need to humble yourself and pray. You need to seek His face. You need to turn from your wicked ways. God will hear, but if you refuse to honor Him then judgment will surely come. The apostle Paul wrote:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

Turn from the wickedness that this world has to offer, and turn to God. If Christians turn away from wickedness and honor God with every part of life and humbly pray for forgiveness, then God will forgive and heal.

If Christians don’t do this then who will? Certainly not the Satan worshipping heathens who erect statues of the Baphomet and demand that the Ten Commandments be removed. Don’t be a part of this evil world, but honor God Almighty.

We can only do what we can. I can read my Bible and apply it to my life, but I cannot force you to do the same. I can seek God’s guidance as to whom I vote for, but I cannot force you to put God first. We can be sure that if we continue on the course laid out by the path before us, destruction will come. In fact, God tells us through prophecy what signs to look for, and by paying attention to the signs of the time we can be sure it’s very close.

“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17).

If you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior then you are not among the wicked who will be turned into hell. On the other hand, if you claim Christ as your Savior and don’t turn from your wicked ways, then perhaps you haven’t truly accepted Him. The judgments that will soon manifest themselves are nothing you want to endure.

“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9).

Yes, God’s wrath will be poured out and in the end those who survive Daniel’s 70th week will learn His righteousness. Without Jesus Christ there is no righteousness. For many it will be too late to recognize Him. During the final seven years many will come to know Jesus and be martyred.

Some will not be able to withstand the tribulation of that day and will succumb to the evil of the man of sin. They will take the mark of the beast and be forever lost. There is only one way to avoid the judgments of that day. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior right now. Not with just a offhand “I believe” but true faith. Turn from your wicked ways and allow Him to be Lord of your life.

If you earnestly accept Him then you will be taken home in the Rapture prior to God’s wrath. This is a blessed promise that we need to understand. Until then, share His love with others and when it comes time to vote for those who govern the nation, vote according to God’s direction. Any candidate who condones and supports sin is not godly in their ways and will continue along the path of destruction.

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

Tomorrow may be too late. Righteousness can only come through Jesus Christ. Turn from sin and wicked ways.

“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

If Christians will honor Him then His righteousness will exalt our nation. God bless you all,

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Christians have a special blessing; our sins are forgiven. Our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ assures us that He has forgiven our sins. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we stopped sinning at the moment we accepted Christ for our salvation?

Some think that once a person accepts Christ they no longer sin, but that’s just not true. If you believe that then you don’t understand the nature of salvation through Christ.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

John used the word “we” so it is clear that he included himself with sinners. I don’t want to sin and I’d like to think I don’t sin, but then God’s Word convicts me. Every Christian needs to study Scripture in order to see their own sin and, with God’s help, remove that sin.

This is a process that takes a lifetime. John wrote this letter to Christians and therefore he is also addressing you and me. Sad to say that even we believers will continue to sin until we are called home. The difference between a believer and a non-believer is that, as believers, our sins are forgiven.

All of humanity sins but not everyone thinks they do. You might ask a non-believer if they sin and they will probably laugh at you and say no. Of course, they have no idea what sin is. Sin is what separates us from God and since they don’t believe in God they don’t believe there is sin. Christians should know better. We have God’s Word to show us what changes we need to make in our life in order to draw nearer to Christ.

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10).

John tells us God’s Word cannot be in someone who says they have never sinned, and we call Jesus a liar if we make that claim. Again John places himself in the middle of this assertion by using the words “we” and “us.” Paul also understood that the struggle between our flesh and our desire to follow Christ is a continuing battle.

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me” (Romans 7:18-20).

That’s just a very complicated way of saying that I don’t want to sin, but sin living in me causes me to follow the flesh rather than Christ. Paul also knew about God’s grace.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).

Christians sin, but we are justified by the grace of God.

When John wrote his first letter, it is clear that he didn’t want believers to sin. Knowing that we will all continue to sin, he wrote words of assurance regarding Christ’s love.

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

John doesn’t tell us that it is all right to keep on sinning, but that when we sin our Lord will “stand up” for us. One day when we leave these earthly bodies we will feel tremendous relief from the burden of sin, but until then we struggle between the lust of the flesh and honoring God.

We need to fight sin in our life, but when we fail we have an advocate with the Father. Jesus Christ is our Advocate and we owe Him our love and honor.

God’s love is pure; Jesus loves us more than we can truly understand. He doesn’t look for ways to condemn us, but even though we fail in our Christian walk He continues to forgive us. Still He urges us to keep His commandments.

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:9-11).

There is no joy in sin.

Jesus spoke these words to his closest followers and John was one of them. Did John fully understand what Jesus meant? Probably not right then. Much would happen between the time Jesus spoke those words and when John wrote his letters. It took time for John to be able to write about keeping Jesus’ commandments.

“He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

The Greek word tēreō is translated “keep” and “keepeth” in the above verses from the Gospel of John and John’s first letter. It means to “observe or give heed to” Jesus’ commandments. Jesus said that if we “observe or give heed to” His commandments we will abide in His love and have joy. There can be no joy from living sin-filled lifestyles, “living together” outside of a God ordained marriage, lying habitually, continually being angry, stealing, or doing any number of things that are not according to His commandments.

John wrote that if we say we know Jesus but have not “observed or given heed” to His commandments, then that person doesn’t know Jesus and there is no truth in him. John isn’t talking about losing salvation, but is this person truly saved? Once we become born-again there will be a change of heart. This change will reflect Christ as a definite part of our lives.

If you say you are a Christian but your lifestyle says different, you may be fooling yourself. We all have those times when sin gets in the way of our walk with Jesus, but if you don’t “observe or give heed to” His commandments you need to take a hard look at your life.

We can get discouraged. When we try not to sin but keep falling into the same sin over and over it can feel as if we aren’t really saved. After continuing to fail in our pursuit of perfection many people beat themselves up by thinking they’ve lost their salvation, or even think they were never really saved. Take heart, brethren. It isn’t your righteousness that saves you, but righteousness that is only found in Jesus Christ.

“I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake” (1 John 2:12).

What a wonderful promise. Your sins and mine are forgiven by Jesus Christ.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

The earliest texts of the book of Romans don’t include the last part of this verse, and most modern translations omit it. This verse simply says “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”Jesus Himself said it best when He told Nicodemus:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:17-18).

It’s our belief in Jesus that saves us, but if we choose not to believe in Him we condemn ourselves. If we choose to believe in Him, but choose not to follow Him, we lose our joy and we are miserable. Our redemption is why God had to die for His creation.

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of the ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14).

There was no other way for us to be redeemed from the sin in our life than for Him to take our sin and nail it to the cross. It wasn’t the nails that held Him there…it was His love. Born-again believers will grow to hate sin over time and be remorseful each time we fall back into temptation.

Neither the apostle John nor Paul advocated sin. On the contrary, they preached against it. Even though we remain slaves to sin we know that Jesus is our Advocate. The more we resist sinning the easier it is to walk to the far side of it and move closer to our Lord. For the believer who occasionally stumbles (that’s you and me), John wrote:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

This was written to born-again believers in Christ. Remember, we are still sinners, but are forgiven by Christ.

God bless you all,

Ron and Nathele Graham