October 2008-

George Barna wrote: "We are witnessing the development and acceptance of a new moral code in America. He said “The consistent deterioration of the Bible as the source of moral truth has led to a nation where people have become independent judges of right and wrong, basing their choices on feelings and circumstances. It is not likely that America will return to a more traditional moral code until the nation experiences significant pain from its moral choices." 1 Timothy 4:1 says, “the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared.
Do we see the effects of a “seared conscience” that has effected our morality? Has this “God-given sense of right and wrong” been distorted. I think so!. The moral compass of the nation isn't pointing in the right direction. What is right for some folks isn't right for others. That doesn't seem right! What's missing here? A standard, God's standard.
Solomon, the wisest man (other than Jesus) wrote Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Pro 14:34). When we live by God's righteous standards, our nation will be exalted, it will be respected by other nations. But when we do what's wrong or contrary to God's commands, we will be a reproach or a disgrace to other people in the community, in the State, and throughout the nation.
When we go against God's laws, our conscience becomes seared. That's the Greek word cauterized. That word describes what a surgeon does when he destroys the nerves or blood vessels before removing a body part. Our consciences can also be burned away if we don't heed the truths found in God's Word. I hope as God's people, we will be more attentive to reading and doing what God desires. Our nation needs people who are willing to stand up for what's right based on God's Word. Our nation needs people who's conscience is right before God. We don't need a President, a Senator or Congressman to make this nation right; we need people to live by God's righteous standards given to us in the Bible.

-Submitted by Pastor Herb Bruss, Bell Center Bible Church