We really have no choice, we Americans. If we do not return to the ways of faithfulness, if our life does not become solid truth, the truth that Jesus Christ Himself Is, not the teaching about Christ and His salvation but the Truth that He Himself Is being worked out in our personality and behavior, if a substantial part of our citizenry does not abandon the unfaithful, immoral, guileful, self-seeking ways of twentieth-century America, then we will slide to the bottom of the moral pit. As happened to England, we will lose our preeminence in the world and become a third-rate power. The nations of the East will take our place in world leadership and God will turn to them to be the purveyors of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

"Lord Jesus Christ, help us Americans. Remember the good we have done in the world in terms of feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. Remember the young missionary families who have given their lives that Africa might be converted.

"Forgive our sins, pride, and foolishness. Turn us again to your fear that we might humble ourselves and embrace faithfulness and truth.

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

Gentleness

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (I Timothy 6:11—NIV)

We are to pursue gentleness.

We are to flee from "all this."

According to the context, what is "all this"?

"Controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think godliness is a means to financial gain."

From all unrighteousness, in other words.

We are to flee from all unrighteousness and pursue righteousness. Part of righteousness is gentleness.

In current Evangelical teaching there is an emphasis on aggressive faith. We are exhorted to "step out in faith; take the world for Jesus; do great things for God; dare to be a Daniel; turn the world right-side up for God."

You know, I cannot find one single instance in the Scriptures of someone stepping out in faith unless God had so directed, as in the case of Peter walking on the water.

In fact, the third temptation of Christ had to do with presumption: "Jump off the gable and the angels will catch you."

When Joshua commanded the sun to stand still he first prayed to the Lord.

The idea that if we will launch out blindly, doing what we think is God's will, and God will be pleased by this and support us, is not of the Lord.

One reason we are not gentle is that we are trying to force closure on situations instead of being content with planting seed. All attempts to force closure, to get people to "sign on the dotted line," to "accept Christ now," unless directed by the Holy Spirit, is babylonish confusion. It is man attempting to do the work of the Holy Spirit.

"The king's business requires haste" is not an admonition to Christians to work frantically for closure. It was spoken by David when he was fleeing from Saul, and was in fact a lie.

To be continued.