There is more need in this for tears than words, how the enemy of the Christian name has increased after the living words of the Son of God, after the fullness of the gospels, after the apostolic teaching, after the recent writing of orthodox authorities, who from the Old and New Testament have expounded in varied speech the mysteries of faith.

  - Columbanus, Letter to Pope Boniface, Irish, 7^th century[1]

Do not remove the ancient landmark
Which your fathers have set.

  - Proverbs 22.28

The present state of Christianity in America is, to say the least, puzzling.

On the one hand, evidence suggests a lively Christian presence in our country. Yes, there has been some decline, but still, churches, ministries, publications, organizations, websites, schools and colleges, seminaries, media outlets, and on and on continue to proliferate and do well.

At the same time, the impact of this considerable presence on the larger culture and society seems almost negligible. On every hand, ungodliness and moral evil have increased, and the rate of population growth is greater than the rate of increase in believers. Indeed, many reports indicate that the ranks of the faithful are declining, as people abandon the Christian faith for other faiths, primarily secular and narcissistic materialism.

Further, it’s becoming clear that our society is beginning to look askance at the Christian presence and heritage in the land.

What does it say about the Christianity we profess, that we have not salted and leavened our society and culture any more effectively? That we have allowed the ancient landmarks established by our forebears to be moved by those who worship the gods of this secular age? That we are not seeing what Micah foresaw, multitudes of people seeking the Lord and streaming up to His house to be saved (Mic. 4.1-8)?

Apparently, the faith that many—if not most—Christians profess and practice has little power to bring the beauty, goodness, and truth of Christ into the great moral, ethical, cultural, and social issues and venues of the day. In the generations leading up to America’s founding, faith in Christ made its presence known in every area of life. In homes and families, communities, workplaces, schools, laws, the arts, and the halls of government, one was never very far from the overt presence of some Christian or Biblical testimony, guideline, precept, or law. The landmarks and laws which defined the moral, social, and cultural borders of pre-revolutionary colonial society were poured with the cement of Scripture and the Gospel.

Today, as is patently clear, all that has changed. The percentage of Christians in our society remains about the same as during the colonial period; yet the character of the faith we profess has dramatically changed. We have substituted a gospel of personal peace and hope for the Gospel of the Kingdom. A gospel of “near-Christianity” rather than of the Kingdom.

And this gospel, which is another gospel from what our forebears knew, has little power for turning our nation rightside-up for the Lord.

“There is more need in this for tears than words.” Columbanus saw the same thing in Gaul in his day, early in the 7^th century. He wrote to the head of the churches in Gaul, pleading with him to lead the Lord’s flocks back to health and faithful witness.

Perhaps it’s time for us to do the same?

Ours is a time for tears, brethren. We may be inclined to consider recent political events as indicating some sort of “turn” in our society. But this is only the door of opportunity, not the opportunity itself. The ancient landmarks of our forebears have been moved, and the faith we are living today is not a faith that will turn our world rightside-up for Jesus Christ.

We need tears of repentance and pleading with God for revival, renewal of our mission, and awakening of our nation to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Will you plead and weep before Him this day?

For Reflection
1. What indicators suggest to you that our churches need to be revived?

2. Do you believe that a great awakening to Christian faith can happen in your lifetime? Explain.

Psalm 80.1-3, 7, 19 (St. Theodulph: All Glory, Laud, and Honor)
O God of grace, restore us, and shine on us Your face!
O save us, Lord, work for us; renew us by Your grace!
Give ear, O gracious Savior, Who leads us as Your flock;
Stir up Your pow’r and favor, our King and Lord and Rock! 

Give thanks
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

Brush up on your witness for Jesus!
Two little books can help you gain confidence and skill in doing the work of evangelism. The Gospel of the Kingdom (click here) outlines the Good News we have to share; and Joy to Your World!  (click here) leads you step-by-step in beginning to work your Personal Mission Field. Get them both; and read them over and over, as you step out in faith, where the Spirit can use you in His power.

Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.

T. M. Moore, Principal
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All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1] Walker, p. 51.