Which Way, America?

    A crossroads is where two paths meet; it could be two roads, two philosophies, or two cultures. At different points in our life, we all face various crossroads where we must make defining-moment decisions as individuals, as groups, or even as a nation.

    America is at a crossroads. Unfortunately, we have been moving swiftly in the wrong direction, blind to the destiny we are choosing. Everywhere we look, people are turning aside from the teachings of Scripture. What the Lord calls an abomination is now practiced with government sanction. (Isaiah 5:20) We find deliberate actions to remove references to God's presence, not just from courthouse walls but also from our very culture. People choose preference over principle, and as a result, we are becoming an irreverent, prideful, and self-indulgent nation.

    I can remember growing up as the campaign "Americans United for the Separation of Church and State" was being promoted. Since then, America has virtually turned her back to God and rejected His teaching. First, the Supreme Court took prayer out of schools. Soon, the Bible was eliminated from education, abortion was legalized, and Judge Roy Moore was ordered to remove the Ten Commandments from his Alabama courthouse. Nativity scenes have been dismantled; crosses have been removed from city emblems; Christian language has been purged from benedictions and sacred songs; marriage is being mocked; unborn children are being killed. Before our very eyes, God's truth is being erased from society.

    As Christians, how should we respond? We must align ourselves with the Lord and live according to His will. Next, we must humble ourselves and pray fervently for this nation if God is to heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Finally, we should take advantage of our privileges as citizens and let our leaders know where we stand.

    Calvary is a picture of the crossroads we face. There Jesus was crucified between two criminals. (Luke 23:33) In his final hours, one thief chose to follow Jesus and was assured of a blessed future. The other robber, however, stubbornly rejected the God who loved him and freely offered salvation. Like them, we can choose for Christ or against Him. As the Lord Himself said, "He who is not with Me is against Me" (Matthew 12:30).

    Jesus is our dividing line?there is no middle ground. Only one wise course of action exists, and Joshua 24:15 expresses it well: "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."