America was founded on the premise that our rights come from God. (See The Declaration of Independence.) The God of the Bible clearly states that we are to live a moral life and that we will give an account to Him for our conduct Even as the human body requires pure drinking water, so individuals and society require moral living. Polluted water contaminates pure water, and immorality pollutes individuals and society.

In recent decades, America has been fed a heavy dose of atheistic evolution. Whenever a society ignores God, immorality comes to the front. Someone has said that, “When we play God, we act like the devil.”

Adolph Hitler and Mao Tse-Tung played God. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln believed God. What we believe determines what we choose to do.

“Repent or perish” has never been a popular message, but instruction to turn around and go the right direction is the most loving advice we can hear. In John 3:16, Jesus showed us what real love looks like by dying on a cross for our immorality. Without Jesus we will perish.

For the immoralists, love is doing whatever feels good for the moment, regardless of the tragic consequences. For those who follow God’s example, love is doing what is best for others, regardless of the cost.

By ignoring God and endorsing immorality, America has increased our woes and has often made us blind to the intention of our foes. Repentance submits to God and acknowledges, “My immorality is wrong, your morality is right.”

Some two thousand years ago, there stood three crosses. Two were for thieves. One thief repented, and one perished. The perfect Person on the third cross gives us an opportunity to repent and live eternally. If not, we perish.

Virgil UllomBabson Park