Charles Stanley warns of Socialism and departure from God

[Matthitjah]

Quote christianpost.com;

Influential Pastor Warns of Socialism, Departure from God

By Lillian Kwon|Christian Post Reporter

Dr. Charles Stanley delivers a 4th of July message at First Baptist Church of Atlanta on July 2, 2010. (Photo: In Touch Ministries via The Christian Post) Dr. Charles Stanley delivers a 4th of July message at First Baptist Church of Atlanta on July 2, 2010.

"We know the truth, we know the principles of God. In spite of all that, we find ourselves as a nation violating the laws of God, heading in a direction that is going to be disastrous for us, for our children and the generations that are to come unless there is a change," he said.

Speaking to thousands at First Baptist Church of Atlanta and to a live Web audience on Friday, Stanley delivered a sobering 4th of July message about a dangerous spiritual tide that is engulfing the country and the crucial need for prayer.

"There is a tide that has touched the shores of our land and reached the heart of our nation," he said against the backdrop of the U.S. flag. "It is a tide that is bringing with it ideas and philosophies, actions and attitudes that will ultimately destroy the way of life that you and I have."

The influential pastor and founder of In Touch Ministries listed 12 things involved in the tide. Among them are the financial crisis and the move toward socialism.

With the national debt rising by the billions every day and increasing taxation, future generations will likely be left with a debt so heavy that they'll never be able to spend most of what they make, he said.

Addressing the idea of spreading the wealth, Stanley emphasized, "It is not the government's responsibility to take care of us. It is to protect us.

"We're responsible for taking care of ourselves."

Socialism, he pointed out, is opposed primarily to Christianity and Judaism.

"In Christianity, we're taught to do our best because we've been gifted by God. So there's motivation, willingness and we cooperate," he explained. "We use our spiritual gifts for the good of everyone."

But under a socialist society, in which the government controls all means of production and distribution, there is no motivation for diligence and creativity is stifled, he said.

When there is less reward, there is less to give. And as evidenced in the recent downturn, what suffers first is supporting missionary work.

"You see, it affects every single aspect of society," Stanley warned.

He added, "Naturally, when the government takes control, do you think that freedom of speech is always going to be there?"

"The tide is bringing in a control that will indeed attempt to silence the truth and will attempt to squash the religious devotion and worship of the people of God."

That tide began creeping in many years ago, he noted, when the government and the courts began banning prayer at schools and removing references to Jesus, God and the Ten Commandments from the public square, Stanley noted.

"It is an attempt to destroy the Christian spirit in America," he said.

"There is a war going on against Jesus," he declared. "It's part of the strategy. The primary reason for this war against Him is He is interfering with the plan to make this a socialist nation. Mark it down. It is the truth."

Among the other elements of the dangerous tide are: terrorism, turning our backs on Israel, the announcement that the United States is not a Christian nation, increasing national disasters, a departure from the biblical view of marriage, and support for killing the unborn, Stanley listed

"Mark this down for socialism because these three groups of people who do not contribute to the state ... are of no value: unborn babies, the elderly and those who are disabled," said the Atlanta pastor.

With the tide moving fast, Stanley issued a charge to Christians to turn it around.

He called believers to join him in 140 days of humbling themselves, repenting of sins and praying to God.

"The Bible says judgment begins at the house of God. We're not expecting lost people to do all this because this is the work of the people of God; it is our responsibility," he stressed. "A lot of where we are is because of our apathy. We haven't prayed for these men who are making decisions."

"Do you want this nation to keep going where it's going or do you want us to get back on track?" he posed.

Prayer, he said, is the one thing he knows that works.

"Do you believe God answers prayer?" he asked. "Pray for God to change the direction of this tide."

He added that those prayers have to be backed up with righteousness and a godly life if they are to be effective and nation-altering.

"There has never been a nation like these United States. We do not want it to fail or to fall."

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100...-god/index.html

Halleluiah!

I've been waiting for a Christian Leader of some Import to stand up and say these things. Dr. Charles Stanley is widely held to be a sincere man of God. I hold him in high regard.

Now watch as others climb on board and I might say, it's about time. Sadly, this will be followed by persecution. he has now marked himself out as opposed to this Government that has gone wildly astray.

[OneLight]

I also hold him is the highest regard. I have learned a lot from the few words he speaks. I will join.

[turtletwo]

Thanks for sharing this from Charles Stanley. Let's just hope that it's not too late for us! Count me in on the 140 days, too. The scripture verse comes to mind, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

( Note: I put the slanting of the words in to show just how important humbling and repentance are to the Lord. Imo, it is our nation's ONLY hope now...)

[deafcanada]

Charles Stanley is absolutely a dedicated man of God, and my wife and I have a great deal of respect for him. His messages touch me and cause me to think each time I hear one. I am very glad that he has spoken out on this issue. The only way things are going to really change for the better is if devoted Christians who really know the Lord begin speaking out about the evil going on in this country on many fronts and begin to fervently pray daily.

James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

count me in!! even though I am from Canada but I believe everyone from the whole world should join and pray for our nations where we are from.

DC

[Bubba4J]

Psalm 33:12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.

[kat8585]

He's one of the very few tv preachers that touches my heart.

[Rick-Parker]

I watch him every Sunday. His son Andy Stanley is also an awesome preacher.