What does it really mean if Obama wins?

There is no doubt that in the hearts and minds of professing Christianity, this presidential election represents a pivotal point in our country’s history, and rightly so. Never before has so much that is counted fundamental been on the line. After so many years of fighting against the Roe v. Wade decision, a second front has opened up along the marriage border and the homosexual hordes threaten to invade. Thus to many, a Democratic victory this election cycle spells the potential end to decades of work intended to restore our nation to its Christian moorings.

But have you ever contemplated what this really means? Just off the cuff, I can think of several things. First off, I am a firm believer that God is the one who sets up kings, and who brings them down. Thus, I believe that God will be giving America the president she deserves this Nov. 4.

Secondly, I recall that God was willing to spare Sodom if he could just find 10 righteous people, and for some reason Abraham seemed confident that there should be at least that many. What does this say about America?

And thirdly, since we are thinking about Sodom, what about Lot? He had been content to ignore the wickedness around him for the sake of prosperity, but when the time came for him to sound the alarm, his pleas fell on deaf ears. While he was righteous, he did not live righteously. What does this say about Christianity?

But I wonder even further if we have ever really thought about what God thinks. Is God really as concerned with our causes as much as our lives?

I am thinking this morning about that oft-quoted verse, II Chronicles 7:14: “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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

I wonder this morning if there are any who really believe this verse that gives them so many goosebumps when they hear it. While their eyes roll back in their head as they mystically seek God’s face and pray, where are the humility and the turning from their wicked ways?

We live in an era where most are too arrogant to submit their lives to the scrutiny of God’s Word, preferring instead to let their feelings dictate what is right for them. Then when it comes to turning from their wicked ways, there is nothing wrong.

And then there is Matthew 5:13: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Here is another verse that I wonder how many really believe. The problem with it is that most fail to consider the gravity of what is being said. The audience that Jesus delivered this to was 100-percent Jewish, and they, as God’s chosen people, were supposed to be the salt of the world. This passage is not for Gentile Christianity by origin, but by default. And unless we realize that the Jewish peoples have very literally been cast out and trodden under foot of men for the last 1,900 plus years, we will be lulled into believing that it could never happen to us. Perhaps we already are.

And understand this too: Savourless salt is determined by lack of results. Just take an honest look around you and tell me just how much of a preservative effect the church is having on this country. The truth is that much of professing Christianity has spent the last 50 years seeing just how close to the world they could get in an effort to make Christianity more palatable, and now we are reaping the results.

We have become so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good. Trust not in those who say to you that you can be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good, for this is a lie. I say unto you, unless you are heavenly minded, you will be no earthly good. And God says that to be carnally minded is death (Romans 8:6).

Folks, it is time for American Christianity to take a long and sobering look at itself, and for this Obama may just be God’s motivation to do just that.

Ron Hamman is pastor for Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229.