Is cruelty now the new norm? Has America, which was once called “a shining beacon on a hill,” lost that honor? What has happened to our sense of fairness and compassion? These questions should concern all of us.
Our country had descended into a pit of selfish cruelty, where bullying is cheered, while kindness is jeered. If you’re a Christian, you must recognize that if it continues, it does not bode well for our country. There was a time not so long ago, in which our great country was celebrated around the world for being positive, fair, generous and happy — those days however, seem to be gone. Our current political leadership can be blamed, because not only are they encouraging this behavior, they are making it acceptable. This notion that the richest country in the world — the most blessed nation — was somehow in trouble or in crisis, was a lie wrapped up in greed and madness. We were told that everything was terrible, all so one person and one party could get even more wealth and power for themselves. The fact is, America has thrown away all the good it once created and held so dear.
The Reverend Benjamin Cremer recently shared this piece on social media:
“The prophets warned Israel again and again: the health of a nation is judged by how it treats the widow, the orphan, the stranger, and the poor. And when these were neglected—when injustice was justified in religious language—God’s judgment was swift and unsparing. “Woe to those who make unjust laws,” said Isaiah, “to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights” (Isaiah 10:1–2). What would God say to us now?”
Kindness matters — always. Compassion, generosity and gratitude matter — always. People, regardless of religious faith or lack thereof, should always be kind and peaceful. However, for Christians in particular, the warning is clear: if you are cold, cruel, greedy, arrogant and selfish, you will pay the price. This is a wake up call: our nation is being turned into something ugly and to let it happen will be our own fault. Its not too late to change back — we have the ability to do so, but the question is, do we have the will?
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Galatians 5:22–23
