Strip This Away, and America Is Absolutely Doomed

Last week’s tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 300 people, is the latest reminder that life and liberty around the world remain under intense attack.

With upheaval in Ukraine and elsewhere and with radical Islamic militants spreading terror throughout parts of Africa, Asia, and even portions of Europe and America, author and apologist Alex McFarland warns against embracing the false belief that America is safe.

Those who believe America is protected because of miles of ocean, the strength of our military, the technology of our weapons or the quality of our military intelligence are sorely mistaken and, even worse, are deluding themselves. In truth, the only thing that has preserved our nation as a free and safe country is our belief in God and our reliance on Him. Strip this away, and we strip away every protection we have.

Make no mistake, terrorists who hate America, hate our way of life and hate the God on whose Word our nation and liberties were founded would like nothing more than to choreograph targeted and massive bloodletting right here on American soil.

Now is a time to grieve for those who have lost loved ones to terror, but it’s also a time to stop putting our heads in the sands of false assurances of safety and recognize that unless our nation turns back to God in humility, repentance and sincerity, we will soon suffer the same violence, the same bloodshed and the same reigns of terror that we’re now seeing in other parts of the world.

America’s own national anthem urges our “heav’n-rescued land” to “praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.” Yet, while the rhetoric of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is still politically correct, any recognition that life and liberty are gifts from God and God alone have become unbearable to those who would eradicate God from American history and American life.

Political correctness is the banner of cowards. It’s time for our nation to reject the fear of giving offense and for our leaders to stand up and call for national repentance and prayer. And not the politically correct homogenized prayers designed to placate special-interest groups but prayers to the God of the Bible, Whose protection and blessing are the only reason our nation still exists.

Life and liberty are at risk—grave risk—today. And it’s because we as a nation have forgotten and even rejected our source, author and giver—Almighty God. Some think we can continue to enjoy our freedoms apart from God, but if we don’t realize the fallacy of this belief, we will soon lose our freedoms and the protections of the God Who gave them.

Time is running out. We have been blessed by God, but it’s critical that we understand that God does not owe us anything. And if we continue as a nation to reject God, we fool ourselves to think He is obligated to bless, prosper or protect us.

Alex McFarland is a speaker, writer and advocate for Christian apologetics. He serves as director of the Center for Christian Worldview and Apologetics at North Greenville University and is the author of several books, including the best-selling 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity.