The American Church's Golden Calf (Why We Don't See Revival in America)

The American Church has forever preached about revival within its walls and a profound, outward awakening unto Christ for the nation, yet history has recorded only punctuated, unsustainable events.

In over forty years of being a Christian with twenty-five of those in ministry, I've heard the cry so many times from my Charismatic brethren: "Why don't we see the signs and wonders in America that occur in other countries"?

Indeed, we read of tremendous miracles happening regularly overseas. We know God promised such signs would accompany the preaching of His Word (Mark 16:17,18), yet most would agree that the Church in America sees very little compared to what should be the norm for ambassadors of Christ.

Preachers and theologians have given us many reasons: the prosperity that has lulled us into a false sense of favor, the freedom of worship that we have taken for granted unto lukewarmness, and the generational complacency and compromise that can set in while doing "church as expected".

But I want to pose another reason for your consideration: Could revival be held back from the Church because of its idolatrous relationship with the State?

God commands us to have no other gods before Him (Exodus 20:3); yet, Christians have clamored to the State for years to:

1) get approval to marry, although matrimony is a holy covenant instituted exclusively by God

2) get approval to carry on the work of Jesus in the earth, although Jesus said that HE would build His Church

3) get federal grants to do this work, although Jesus said for us to ask HIM for daily bread and commanded us to live by "faith".

What's the appeal?

With a state-issued marriage license, couples get tax breaks and benefits.

Attending a church with a state-issued 501(c) 3 certificate and tax-exempt status means parishioners can take tithes and offerings off their income tax returns.

Applying for federal grants enables churches and faith-based ministries to be funded without having to ask God for provision or extend their faith for "daily bread".

But these come with a price--costs you may not realize until it's too late  ...More