Dear friends:
 
Recently Perry Stone described what he believes to be “America’s greatest sin.”

It is not abortion and the brutal murder of some 50 million innocent babies since 1974.

It is not other murders.

It is not homosexual practice, a perversion repeatedly condemned by the Bible.

It is not other sexual immorality.

It is not the use of illicit drugs.

It is not the widespread theft, cheating, or corruption.

Well, what is it?
 
Perry Stone says it is unbelief!
 
Unbelief underlies all other sins.  It is, in effect, calling God a liar.  It is calling His holy Word a lie.  It is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, and thus what some believe to be the “unpardonable sin.”
 
Unbelief excuses other sins, as though there is no accountability.  It lies at the heart of secular humanism, which says, “No God can save us.  We must save ourselves.”
 
Unbelief in God and His revealed Word pervades the whole world, but in America and the West it is particularly inexcusable because of (1) our history, and (2) God’s truths are broadcast on radio and TV 24/7.
 
The Barna Research Group claims to have determined that only 8% of U.S. adults classify themselves as evangelicals.  I would interpret an “evangelical” as one who believes the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, salvation by grace through faith in the atoning blood of Christ, and the importance of the Great Commission.  Interestingly, more than half of all adults (53%) believe that if a person is generally good, or does enough good things for others during their life, they will earn a place in Heaven, which is totally contrary to the Scriptures.
 
Sadly, unbelief pervades the church.  Many pastors are schooled in unbelief in seminaries, many of which tragically tear down rather than build up faith.  When they get to the pulpits, they really have nothing to say except spiritual platitudes and social and psychological blah-blah.
 
Many Christians only give lip service to believing the Bible but if the Bible contradicts their denominational tradition, they choose tradition.  Plus, a shocking number don’t even know what the Bible says.  Spiritual illiteracy is rampant, even in so-called Bible-believing churches.
 
True, faith is an action word, implying action in response to faith.  But that is also lacking.  Faith and action go together.
 
So, Perry Stone is right.  The greatest sin of America, the West, and indeed the rest of the world is unbelief.  It is the tragedy of history.
 
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2, NKJV).
 
Unfortunately, not many are listening.
 
But the Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
 
Jim