How many might it take?

The nature of God often creates questions in our minds. God is just and will judge righteously, but He is also merciful, often delaying deserved judgment. God is longsuffering, but does come to the end of His patience and eventually brings judgment. Thus we scratch our heads over the "if" and "when" of cases we know about.

It seems to many of us that the United States, a nation with a vast majority of Christian founders who diligently laid a foundation of Christianity for the people of the land, has strayed far from her moorings. For example, the Supreme Court has officially eliminated Bible reading, prayer, and the posting of the Ten Commandments from public schools. Interpreters of those actions have banned nativity scenes from the County Court House. Morality in entertainment and ethical standards in the business world are practically nonexistent. Can we expect God to judge us for our departure from Him, and if so, when? And who can answer those questions?

In Genesis 18:20-33, God let Abraham know of pending judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham, whose nephew lived in Sodom, asked God, "Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?" Then he suggested that there might be fifty righteous people there and it would be out of character for God to destroy fifty such people in judgment. God gave His word that he would spare the cities for fifty righteous souls.

Abraham then realized that there may not be that many, so he began what turned into a series of bids, as it were. His number was dropped to forty-five, then forty, then thirty, then twenty, and finally ten. God promised at each level, including the ten, that He would spare the cities for their sakes.

How many righteous souls might it take to spare America if God reaches the end of His longsuffering? Comparing this nation with two middle-east cities four thousand years ago, the answer is probably more than ten; probably more than fifty.

Who are the "righteous," anyway? "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:3-5).

So, if God began counting the righteous today, willing to withhold judgment upon the United States if He found enough of them, would you be among them? Have you believed on Him Who justifies the ungodly though faith in His Son, Jesus Christ? Receive Him today that you "might be made the righteousness of God" by faith in Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 5:21).