Is it Time to Kiss Freedom Goodbye in the USA?

Culture Comes Before Politics

The short-term matters. Politicians who violate these principles should be replaced with politicians who defend and apply them properly. If we want lasting change, however, we have to restore the rest of the culture, too. Politics shapes the culture, to be sure; but ultimately, politics is a part of the culture. People of faith can still vote, but we have been culturally marginalized, and that has had a devastating effect.

Unfortunately, in the 20th century the political realm absorbed much of the territory that once belonged to civil society. We will only be able to reform unsustainable programs if we can rekindle the cultural virtues of thrift, prudence, personal responsibility and delayed gratification, even while financial incentives pull many Americans in the opposite direction.

If we can’t do that, these programs will collapse—at least in their current forms—and drag the world economy with them. We need to prepare. Either way—courageous reform or disastrous collapse—there will be a growing need for non-governmental charitable programs that can really help the elderly, the poor, the handicapped and the otherwise disadvantaged. Christians will need to play a larger role in helping the needy in our communities, and this will give us an opportunity to help rebuild culture and civil society.

Transformation From the Inside Out

Of course, the most profound cultural change will come from outward expressions of inward change—a moral and spiritual renewal of our hearts and minds, our churches, communities and cultural institutions. Beside principles and policies, we need people and prayer. Wherever the church—the body of Christ—is aligned with the Spirit and willing to suffer for truth, the kingdom of God breaks through in the here and now.

We must face the trouble now if our children are to live in peace. So let us pray, more fervently than we have ever prayed, for a historic outpouring of the Holy Spirit on us His church. Not an outpouring that merely moves us to tears, but a cascading waterfall of God’s suffering and abiding love, that will lead us to act with bravery, to walk with integrity, and to stand in unity for the renewal of our culture and the restoration of our nation, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

James Robison is founder and president of LIFE Outreach International.