Light Rejected!

Studying again in the book of Ezekiel, I’ve been reflecting on how the Holy Spirit, through the prophet, spoke of the destruction of Assyria and Egypt. In my reading of the Swaggart Commentary, considerable time is devoted to these nations—nations that had direct dealings with Israel, Judah, and Jerusalem. They had opportunity to know who the true God—the God of Israel—was, yet they rejected Him.

The Pharaohs began to declare themselves gods. They continued in idol worship. Though they were given light, they chose darkness. And when light is rejected, eventually light is removed.

As I considered this, my thoughts turned to America. We were once a great beacon of God’s light—spreading the Word of God throughout our nation and across the world. But look at where we are now. We are in a very dark place. We were given much light, yet that light has grown dim. Not only as a nation, but even within many churches, God’s light—His Word, His way—has been rejected. And God’s way is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:23:

“But we preach Christ crucified.”

Yet many churches today are no longer preaching what Scripture clearly says must be preached.

If America is not careful, we will become just like Egypt and Assyria of old—nations that had opportunity to receive light but chose darkness instead. We have opted for political power, educational institutions, wealth, prosperity, and money, attempting to replace the light we were once given with human systems.

In our country today, especially here in 2025, I see government efforts attempting to bring about righteousness, morality, and conservatism. In themselves, these are not bad goals. I fully support protecting our children from things they should not be exposed to. Those concerns are valid.

However, I understand something critical: the political process cannot produce righteousness. Trying to legislate godliness does not transform hearts. It breeds rebellion and chaos. Even when laws appear good, they are not God’s method for bringing about righteousness.

What we need is not political reform—we need church reformation.

The Church must return to the foundation of the Cross of Christ. Somewhere along the way, we kept Jesus but left the Cross behind. We must go back to the basics. Righteousness does not come through laws; it comes through truth preached in the house of God.

Scripture is clear in 2 Chronicles 7:14:

“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.”

Laws cannot forgive sin. Laws cannot turn hearts. Forced morality only produces resistance. But when the uncompromised Word of God is preached—when God’s way, Jesus Christ and Him crucified, is proclaimed—lives are changed.

When truth is preached in the Church, people are healed by that truth. Then they carry it to others. This is how righteous living is produced—not by force, but by faith in what Christ accomplished at Calvary.

Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. Every person has the opportunity to become a “whosoever,” as declared in John 3:16.

What I see today is well-intentioned effort, but it is not being done God’s way. Any attempt to bring righteousness apart from the Cross is another way—and another way is not God’s way.