There's no disputing that most Americans "believe" in God. Studies by
the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life consistently reveal over
two-thirds of Americans are "absolutely certain" there is a God.
The problem, Richard Land says, is that people often live as though
there is no transcendent moral authority. In considering the state of
the culture, Land observes that "believing" in God apparently doesn't
equate to a person's wholesale adoption of God's precepts into his or
her life.
"Instead of influencing the culture, it appears on most fronts the culture is influencing us. Too often, instead of being 'salt' and 'light,' we are being salted and lit by the secular culture around us," said Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, focusing on a theme he often raises when preaching.
"Our churches are in need of a truly spiritual revival, and our nation is in need of a great movement of God's Spirit," Land said, noting that this need was the impetus behind the development of the 40/40 Prayer Vigil for Spiritual Revival and National Renewal, which debuted in 2008 in partnership with the North American Mission Board.
"To change lives we must first be changed," Land said. "We must pray for and experience spiritual regeneration, then recognize and accept our responsibilities as Christians to be 'salt' and 'light' in the culture," he said, referencing Matthew 5:13-16.
A great movement of the Holy Spirit will not happen without sustained prayer from God's people, Land added.
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Source: Baptist Press | Dwayne Hastings
Dwayne Hastings is a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
"Instead of influencing the culture, it appears on most fronts the culture is influencing us. Too often, instead of being 'salt' and 'light,' we are being salted and lit by the secular culture around us," said Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, focusing on a theme he often raises when preaching.
"Our churches are in need of a truly spiritual revival, and our nation is in need of a great movement of God's Spirit," Land said, noting that this need was the impetus behind the development of the 40/40 Prayer Vigil for Spiritual Revival and National Renewal, which debuted in 2008 in partnership with the North American Mission Board.
"To change lives we must first be changed," Land said. "We must pray for and experience spiritual regeneration, then recognize and accept our responsibilities as Christians to be 'salt' and 'light' in the culture," he said, referencing Matthew 5:13-16.
A great movement of the Holy Spirit will not happen without sustained prayer from God's people, Land added.
Click here to read more
Source: Baptist Press | Dwayne Hastings
Dwayne Hastings is a vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.
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