I realize that what I am about to say regarding the moral condition in America today may rankle some on both sides of the political aisle.  However, I believe that if we honestly evaluate today’s societal fabric, we will find much common ground for this discussion.  Morality has always been an issue, but it seems we have drifted farther from biblical morality and ethics than ever.

The Bible speaks about the conditions of the ‘Last Days,’ and those depraved conditions are prevalent in today’s society, possibly more than at any time in human history.   In many ways, the deviation from biblical morality and ethics appears more egregious than any previous societies, including Sodom, Gomorrah, and the Days of Noah.  You may disagree, but that is my perspective.

Our founding fathers saw the dangers of declining morality, greed, avarice, and politicization of everything within our government and society.  Some of their observations are almost prophetic and quite evangelistic.

John Adams declared, “It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand.  The only foundation for a free constitution is pure virtue.” He also said, “If ‘Thou Shalt Not Covet,’ and ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal,’ were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free.” That is an amazing but accurate observation by our 2^nd President.

Samuel Adams declared, “Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.” Charles Carroll echoed those sentiments, saying, “Without morals, a republic cannot subsist any length of time.” Benjamin Franklin agreed, saying, “Only virtuous people are capable of freedom.  As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

One of the most powerful and revelatory statements was made by John Winthrop.  He said, “Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled either by a power within them or by a power without them; either by the Word of God or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible or the bayonet.” 

The recognized Father of our Country and 1^st President, George Washington, declared, “Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” His writings indicate that he believed that the republic would quickly spiral into tyranny, chaos, or both without a populace grounded in morality.  He insisted that habits of virtue were as critical as the checks and balances of government.

James Madison candidly addressed the issue, saying, “To suppose any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without virtue in the people is a chimerical idea.” He recognized that no matter how detailed or wise the constitution might be, it would fail without personal virtue and morality by the citizens and representatives of government.

The Bible prophesied the conditions that would become prevalent in the ‘Last Days.’ I realize that some reading this do not believe the Bible or in God.  However, I ask you to hear what the Bible declared would be the visible characteristics of people in the era identified as the ‘Last Days.’ If you are still convinced that those conditions do not define our day, I will move on and ask you to do the same.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 – “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times.  For people will love only themselves and their money.  They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.  They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control.  They will be cruel and hate what is good.  They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.  They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.”

Let’s break that down:

• The ‘Last Days’ would be exceedingly difficult times.
• People would be so filled with themselves that they would have little concern for others, and money or possessions would become a predominant pursuit.
• People would be boastful and proud – narcissistic, arrogant, ungrateful, filled with an entitlement mentality, and irreverent.
• Nothing would be sacred, and the prevalent attitude would be rejecting absolute truth.
• Love would devolve into hate, which would be society’s predominant characteristic. 
• People would become cruel and hate what is good.  The time would be marked by those who call good evil and evil good.
• Loyalty would become secondary to personal ambition.
• Pleasure would take precedence over God and purity.

The corruption in government is deeply troubling, but beyond that, in today’s America, many city streets are unsafe for anyone, especially for the elderly, women, and children, to be on at night and often even in the daylight hours.  Road rage and hate that is deemed justifiable inspires some to become violent, having lost any sense of the sanctity of life.  If you disagree with their ideology, you are a candidate for extermination. 

Issues such as abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism, greed, corruption, and rejection of any mention of God in the public square are things our founders feared would destroy America.  They were justifiably concerned.  We have ignored the issues and insisted that the clergy never mention them in the pulpit (demanding political correctness and the fallacious idea of separation of church and state).  Bill Gothard of the Basic Institute of Youth Conflicts said, “What we allow in moderation, our children will do in excess.” 

I realize that this sermonette may not be received by all who read it, but without a return to our moral moorings and a reconstituting of biblical morality and ethics, America is doomed to unwholesome change that can and could destroy her. If you believe in God and pray, I ask you to join me as we intercede for America, the Church, individual souls, and the world. The ballot box will not solve our problems in this world; ONLY GOD CAN!

God bless you, and God bless America!