perspective

Sometimes, the way you look at things can make all the difference in the world.  In the case I want to discuss herein, the way you look at certain things (which I will describe) is very likely to make the difference, literally, between life and death ~ for, possibly, many people.

Instead of simply stating my point of view and arguing my point, I would first like for you to answer one question, namely:

In your opinion, what percentage of all Americans (aged 10 years or older) are truly "born-again" Christians?

There are approximately 325 Million people in the United States.  Recent polls reveal that somewhere between 75-85% of all adults in America identify themselves as "Christian."  That would mean that there is somewhere between 244-276 Million Christians in America!  Of course, a huge part of the "problem" related to Christian identity, depends upon how that one defines what it means to be a "Christian."  But for our purposes (as always), I will insist that we adhere as closely as possible to a Biblical 'definition' of what it means to be a Christian.  In simplest terms, the word Christian means "Christ-like."  That definition does essentially agree with Scripture; and it will have to do, in lieu of a theological discourse.  

Does your experience suggest to you, that at least 7 or 8 (or 9) out of every 10 people in America are "Christ-like?"  I didn't think so.  Well, then, how about 5 out of every 10?  No?  Then, would you say, that out of every 10 people you may encounter on any given day, at least 3 of those (on average) appear, in their conversation and in their conduct, to be "Christ-like?"

Two out of ten?  How about one out of ten?

Think carefully about that for a moment.  In your mind, walk around in WalMart. . . .  Then, visit a couple of restaurants. . . .  Better yet, imagine spending some time at the mall.  You are likely to encounter ten people in a matter of minutes, at the mall.  Store clerks, food vendors, kiosk attendants, and droves of shoppers: How many of those people seem to reflect the image of Christ, even in their personal appearance, or in their speech?  How many of them display any real interest to engage others around them, for Christ's sake?  When, for example, is the last time that a stranger approached you to speak to you about your soul, or even to speak with you in more general terms about spiritual matters (from a Biblical perspective~as would a Christian)?

In my experience, I would honestly estimate that, perhaps, one out of every 100 Americans may actually be a Christian.  That is a very far cry from what Americans claim about themselves, that is, that 75-85 people out of 100 are Christians.  
The foregoing exercise is not 'scientific.'  Nevertheless, it is still very meaningful and useful.  For, I am a Christian; as, I assume, are many of you my Readers.  And because that we are in fact Christians, we are thus capable, to a reasonable extent, to discern whether those whom we encounter in the world are, or are not, Christians.  "It takes one to know one;" as that saying goes.  Polling data is one thing; observational data (by competent judges) is something quite different.

Furthermore, the consensus of opinion which I have thus far attempted, not to dictate, but to elicit, I do not mean to suggest is based upon any one-time, momentary encounter with total strangers.  But I am trying to draw out your judgment based upon your years of experience.  What, in your opinion, do you really believe is the actual percentage of honest-to-goodness Christians in America?  I am persuaded~by a multitude of different factors, that there are comparatively very few genuine Christians in America.  (You are of course welcome to express your own opinion and arguments in the Comments section.)

But I'm going somewhere with all of this.  Perspective.  How it is that we, as Christians, perceive the spiritual condition of this nation, makes a huge difference in the way we will then conduct ourselves toward those around us.

We see how that the vast majority of Americans evidently perceive themselves, regarding their spiritual condition: that is, on average, between 7-9 people out of every 10, believe themselves to be Christians!  What else can that mean, except, that the vast majority of Americans are deceived!  Importantly, the nature of their deception is such that they believe they already 'have' what it is that real Christians are trying to 'give' to them, which is Christ.  Yet, in my own experience, almost none of them really wants Christ.  They merely want to believe they may not be hell-bound.  And most seem to be satisfied with that.  But how can that be?

It is because they have not been told the truth.

America used to be a Christian nation.  But it is not now Christian.  What is it, then?  Is it a nation of heathens? or infidels? or atheists?  In fact, it is a nation of "Apostates."  Or, rather, I should say it is a nation of the children of Apostates.  America once had the Truth; but, as a nation, Americans have willfully turned their backs on the Word of God.  Although it is very important to understand the reasons how and why that happened; yet, that is not as important as to figure out what can be done in order to rescue souls.  And that is where "perspective" comes in.

I strongly believe it is imperative that we, the true Body of Christ, must begin to perceive America as being a nation of lost individuals and, thus, as being a most needy mission field ~ and ourselves as missionaries to America.  We Christians, for far too long a time, ourselves have been deceived.  We know that America still has a large proportion of churchgoers, and that there are churches in practically every neighborhood.  We observe that American culture still retains, here and there, symbols commonly associated with Christianity.  We are aware of statistics which, as I mentioned above, suggest that Christianity remains an integral part of American society.  We also know that the airwaves are mingled with "Christian" television and radio programs.  Finally, we encounter multitudes of self-professed "Christians," in the course of our frequent attempts to evangelize.  But it is (almost) all smoke-and-mirrors, a grand deception.

The reality is, that the hand of God already is laid heavily upon this nation in judgment.  The fierce anger of the Lord has been kindled against America.  Then, is there no hope?  Or shall we then be supposed to be fighting against the Lord, who seek for Revival and for a harvest of souls in America?  I think not.  Read carefully, if you will, the following Scripture:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." (Ezekiel 22:30)

I see, in the passage, that God's anger was such that he was moved to destroy the land and its inhabitants.  Yet, he did not want to destroy, but to save.  Nevertheless, God evidently needs someone who will make intercession to him, for mercy and for grace.  I see exactly the same pattern in the story of Jonah.  No one in Nineveh was praying for Revival.  Nor was anyone in Jerusalem praying for Nineveh.  And though God was ready to destroy Nineveh, yet, he did not want to do that.  Still, God needed someone to carry the Word of God to Nineveh.  And God was willing ~ notwithstanding his righteous indignation toward Nineveh, to "work with" his unwilling prophet, Jonah, in order to "help" Jonah to come to the place of willingness and obedience, so that God could use him, in order that God might show mercy to Nineveh.

If you cannot find any hope in that for America, and for Revival, then, why are you still living in America ~ a land without hope, a cursed land (as you perhaps suppose)?

But if you do see that the Word of God holds out even a glimmer of hope for Revival and for saving souls in America; then, what are you doing to seek that from God, with all of your heart?  For, the hour is indeed late, it is very late.  "But it's not too late," as a dear Brother likes to say.

Now, if you will, give some thought to what you would do if you had come to America, from some foreign land, to be a missionary to America.  Would you be giving yourself to prayer in any way differently from how you typically pray?  And what about your efforts to make purposeful contact with people around you, for the purpose of evangelizing them?  How would that "perspective" affect your outlook and attitudes and conduct, whensoever you would have occasion to be out amongst the world?  If you would think of yourself as really being a missionary to America, how would that change the way you live every day as a Christian?  I believe it would radically change your life ~ and your walk with Christ.

If you will only change your perspective.  If you will but look at America in a different light, that is, a truer light.  And if you will only allow the Spirit of God to help you to see yourself, and your opportunities and responsibilities in God, from a new perspective, according to God's Word.  But, then, isn't that just what God said, in Romans 12:1-2, we are to do?

"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."

"All to Jesus I surrender, all to him I freely give.  I will ever love and trust him, daily in his Presence live.  I surrender all.  I surrender all.  All to Thee, my blessed Savior: I surrender all."

O, Father, give me a burden for souls.  Open my heart to receive from yours, what really matters to You; that I may know You, and serve You in an acceptable way.  Teach me, O God, how to pray, how to witness, how to fight in the spirit, how to prevail in Christ.  Give me souls, Lord; give me courage, and wisdom, and faith, and love, overflowing.  Open, O great "Door," open and pour out your divine Spirit in power.  Manifest Your Spirit, Christ, with such tangible force that men will tremble because of Your Presence, and they will fall under the weight of conviction for their sins.  And, so, they will seek You, Jesus.  They will seek You: but not until and unless You first seek them ~ in and through Your people.  O mighty God! give us the grace we need to rise up against this great darkness!  Give us strength to battle as we ought, until that Your victory is brought to bear in the lives of multitudes!  Multitudes!  Multitudes!  Commission us, anoint us, empower us, send us.  For Christ's sake, and in his glorious and holy Name, we pray.