Francis Harper Message for 3/16/18

From: Francis Harper
wbfrmsup@iowatelecom.net


Francis Harper Message for 3/16/18

Will He Find Faith?

“I tell you that he will come, and when he does come, he will avenge his saints speedily, Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8).

When the Son of Man cometh shall he find faith on the earth? This is a question we should be asking ourselves. When the Lord comes, will he find faith in me? Will he find faith in the hearts of my children? Will he find faith in my church family; my community; my country?

The level of faith in the hearts of the people in our nation has dwindled. In America, during the thirty year period of 1960 to 1990, crime quadrupled, divorce doubled, single parent homes tripled and forty percent of all children were being born out of wedlock. Since 1990, the dwindling in unbelief has continued. Today, “almost half of all children are born out of wedlock, and even more are being raised by single mothers” (Philadelphia Inquirer, August 9, 2017).

Saints of God, we must watch and pray lest we be overcome by the avalanche of sin and wickedness which is sweeping over our nation. We need to heed the words of Jeremiah, “Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the way, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way. [Jesus is the ‘way, the truth and the life’ (John 14:6)] and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

“The behavioral norms (based upon sound Christian principles) that were almost universally endorsed between the end of World War II and the mid 1960’s were: get married before you have children and strive to stay married for their sake. Get the education you need for gainful employment, work hard, and avoid idleness. Go the extra mile for your employer or client. Be a patriot, ready to serve the country. Be neighborly, civic minded, and charitable. Avoid coarse language. Be respectful of authority. Refrain from substance abuse and crime” Adapted from a speech delivered on December 12, 2017, in Washington, D.C., as a part of the AWC Foundation Lecture Series).

These behavioral norms were widely accepted in the mid-1960’s because Christianity was still being taught; it was widely accepted and practiced by most Americans. Marriage was based on scriptural teaching that it was to be a covenant relationship between a man and a woman until death. Parents were to bring up their children in the way they should go . . . the parable of the talents was taught to encourage them to develop strong bodies and minds. The scriptural teachings that men should work, go the extra mile, love his neighbor and that it was “more blessed to give than receive,” were the rules that guided our lives.

Beginning in the sixties, the Supreme Court decisions, making Bible reading and religious instruction unconstitutional in our public schools, led the way to a breakdown of the spiritual laws that had previously given strength to our nation. Legalized abortion, same-sex marriage and the use of mind-altering drugs will lead to an even greater decline in the moral fabric of our country. Will the tide be turned? Will he find faith when he returns?



Jesus said, “And as it was in the days of Noe [Noah]; so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the Ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:26-30).

Although the number will be few, he will find faith on the earth when he comes. The question is, will we be among the Saints who will be gathered to meet the Lord when he comes?

“Behold, the way for man is narrow . . . and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel: And he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way, save it be by the gate, for he can not be deceived . . .” (2 Nephi 6:81-82). He that would enter some other way is “the same as a thief and a robber” (John 10:1).