What Is Our Concern as Christian Forerunners?

Confronted with the reality that America is on a perilous trajectory in need of Christians who will sound the alarm, each of us has a decision to make: Are we willing to become forerunners of God’s judgment in the hope of making a difference in our nation? Of course, this is far too broad and abstract a question to meaningfully answer, so let’s make it practical by first breaking down what we mean when we say we want to make a difference. Let’s begin with what concerns us. After all, before we can determine whether we want to make a difference, we ought to know whether we are satisfied with the way things are now.

About what are we concerned? Likely, each of us could readily provide a lengthy list: Rampant sexual immorality and confusion, the humanistic indoctrination of our children, society’s lack of respect and civility, widespread corruption, injustice, partisan politics, economic uncertainty, porous borders, the loss of traditional values, the denial of objective truth, attacks against religious liberty, the ineffectiveness of the church, and so much more. Certainly, there are plenty of issues about which to worry, but these are merely symptomatic of a greater problem. When we cut to the chase, our primary concern for America ought to be over our nation’s increasing disregard for its prime directive: To draw the hearts of people back to God.

America exists to draw people to God. This sense of purpose is not a pursuit of spiritual meaning to justify our patriotism. Rather, it is what God’s Word tells us: “‘From one man [God] created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us’” (Acts 17:26–27). God’s purpose for nations is to encourage a pursuit of God.

Certainly, there have been seasons in our history when we, as a nation, glorified God. God has used America to draw people to Himself, and He continues to do so today. Indeed, America’s esteem for religious liberty and freedom of speech affords us great opportunity to share the good news of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word. Moreover, America is an affluent country, and many of us use our wealth to finance global mission projects.

On the other hand, we in America have been systematically removing God from our government, our educational system, our entertainment, and our way of life. “In God we trust” is becoming a national motto devoid of meaning as many of our most influential institutions now actively push people away from Him. Indeed, America has long been waging an escalating war against God.

One cannot help but ask the question, “If America is no longer accomplishing its divine purpose, then why should God continue to bless and preserve our nation?” How are we any different from the nation of Judah, whom God warned, “If I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. Therefore, Jeremiah, go warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the LORD says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right’” (Jer. 18:9–11)?

Like Judah, America is on a perilous trajectory. As such, we cannot be satisfied with the status quo, but neither can we afford to become distracted by matters that ought to be secondary concerns. Instead, our greatest concern should be over our nation’s increasing disregard for its divine purpose: To draw the hearts of people back to God.

This article comes from Heart of a Forerunner: How to Be a Relevant and Influential Voice in a Wayward Nation