AMERICA AND ROME

                Vol. IX, No. 6, June/July 1996

Edward Gibbon in his Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire said that the following five characteristics marked Rome at its end: (1) a mounting show of love of luxury (affluence); (2) a widening gap between the very rich and the very poor; (3) an obsession with sex; (4) freakishness in the arts masquerading as originality, & enthusiasms pretending to be creativity, and (5) an increased desire to live off the state.

It all sounds very up-to-date. We have traveled a long road the past 1600 years, and it seems that all roads do lead to Rome. We describe that time as a period of religious paganism. Today we are living in a time that is best described as neo-paganism.

I have not said this to discourage you but rather to challenge you! It was during that darkness which covered the Roman Empire that the light of the gospel shined so brightly. And the gospel can shine just as brightly in the dark days we are living in.

The conditions of 1996 are similar to what is described in the New Testament even though we are 1900 years removed. We can draw courage from the fact that though the gospel faced opposition from the government, and had to compete with many other religions, still the Word was victorious over all.

But understand this too, it came at a cost to each Believer. For some it involved financial loss. Others were ostracized. Some were forced to flee. Some were martyred at the Colosseum. But while all this happened, the Believers faithfully spread the gospel over the Roman Empire. They did not bow to Caesar, and they refused to be silent about their faith in Jesus Christ. It was at this point that the early Christians were willing to forfeit their comfort and safety.

Today as always down through the centuries Believers must determine where the bottom line is and then take a stand for what is right, rather than for that which is expedient. We need to show a lost world that there is a better way, the way of the cross. We need to proclaim the hope that is ours. We can change the city, state, and country by winning one person at a time to faith in Jesus. In times such as this, silence is not an option if we wish to see our family, friends, and neighbors saved. And like those of the early church we need to let the lost see Jesus in all the things that we do; hear Jesus in the words that we speak; and see Jesus in the way that we live.

[Reprinted from the newsletter of Second Baptist Church, Bowling Green, MO.]