Answers
By BGEA Staff • January 13, 2024 • Topics: Culture
Q:
I’m afraid that America is learning a very hard lesson—that pride and self-reliance devastates a nation. What started out as obedience to God has morphed into self-glorification. Our nation’s in a hardened condition—in free fall—and it seems we try everything except pay attention to the warnings that God gives to us.
A:
From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
No matter how advanced its progress, any civilization that neglects its spiritual and moral life is going to disintegrate. This is the history of mankind and it is our problem still today. President Theodore Roosevelt said, “When you educate a man in mind and not in morals, you educate a menace to society.” We need moral absolutes, but people refuse to live by them. There’s much to be learned in the study of ancient Israel and the peoples of the world, past, present, and future.
The Bible says that the human heart is corrupt. This is why Christ came—to give new hearts to the human race. Scripture reveals the price required for man’s sin. The Israelites were taught that sin must be atoned for by the shedding of pure and innocent blood, as recorded in Scripture. These passages are rich in history and are pertinent today because they point to the future. Many passages begin with “And the Lord spoke… ”.
There is no lack of warning from Almighty God. No one could declare innocence about God’s commands. He laid down the law and declared judgment if the law was not obeyed. The people had said, “Show us the law and we will follow it”—but they couldn’t do it, and neither can we. When we turn a deaf ear to Almighty God and shut our eyes to the truths of history, disaster comes. God is saying to individuals and the nations, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15, NKJV).
(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)
