OUR SICK SOCIETY

Burt Groves

You have heard about the great future of our nation in the president’s “State of the Union” message. More and more people seem to be enjoying greater prosperity, and the chief executive promises that soon our government will not be spending more than it takes from us in taxes. Apparently, a strong economy matters more to most people than true morality. Isaiah’s warning to the Jews needs to be heralded to all our nation. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink; that justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away the righteousness of the righteous for him!” (Isaiah 5:20-23). Consider some of the symptoms of our sickness.

Churches Call Evil Good

Not many children are frightened by sermons about hell today, and they may hear about heaven only if they attend funerals. In the name of grace churches pamper people with sweet stories about success for all who will join. One can fashion faith to please himself. His faith may make a caricature of the Christ, but few dare to correct him in this age of tolerance.

Modern churches call sinners saints and criminals Christians. How can this be? The message of the Old Testament prophets, John the Immerser and Jesus is heard seldom in our affluent society. You see, they all preached repentance (Ezekiel 14:6; Matthew 3:2;4:17). When the church began lost Jews were commanded to repent (Acts 2:38), and as the gospel spread like a forest fire repentance continued to be preached (Acts 3:19; 17:30,31). The necessity of turning from evil to God was written by inspired apostles in their letters to churches which belonged to Christ (II Corinthians 7:10; II Peter 3:9).

God’s grace does not cover continued sin (Romans 6:1-2). Just as Jesus died for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3), we must die to our sins. When Christ becomes precious sin becomes repulsive. Cheap grace advocates need to learn that grace is the heart of the gospel which calls men out of darkness into light, out of rebellion into righteousness and out of death into life (Romans 6:23). “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).

Society Calls the Immoral Moral

People entrusted with high offices practice dishonesty, too often, with immunity from prosecution. When the white-collar criminal is punished for embezzlement of funds some always contend that the punishment was too severe. Diligent investigators and prosecutors suffer scathing rebukes from people who should honor them.

Millions smile on adults who commit fornication, adultery, and sodomy. Badges of honor are bestowed by the entertainment industry on those who no longer hide their lasciviousness, and public support for that corrupt segment of society is greater than ever. Children adore actors and so-called musicians who spue their obscenities across the nation, and the lawlessness is permitted in the names of freedom and tolerance. Those who condone such while claiming to be Bible believers need to read the first chapter of Romans which closes the listing of the crimes of the pagans of that day with this lament, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Loose living results in the legalized murder of 1.4 million innocent unborn infants yearly in America. According to U.S. News & World Report, at the present rate 43 percent of American women will have abortions some time during their lives (1/19/98 issue). How can Americans smile on these atrocities in the name of tolerance? All should be appalled, but none should be surprised that teenaged girls have murdered their newly born babies. A sick society demands animal rights, weeps because murderers are executed and approves euthanasia.

Christians know better. Both suicide and mercy killing are murder. One who gives himself to God has no right to destroy what belongs to God by reason of creation and conversion to Christ. Rather, one’s body functions as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19-20).

Judgment Day Comes Soon

The God of mercy is also the God of justice. Every responsible person will give an account of his conduct in this world. “So then every one of us shall give account to himself to God” (Romans 14:12). Let all believers remember that the Savior who died for us will condemn the wicked in the last day. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). The gospel which saves today will be the standard of judgment. “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Romans 2:16). When this life is over (Hebrews 9:27), the faithful will be rewarded with heaven, but the wicked will be punished in hell. “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matthew 25:46).

Yes, God loves everybody and doe not want any to perish, but most people will (Matthew 7:13-14). Today God invites all to be saved in Christ, but those who reject him today will be rejected by him when it will be too late to repent and trust the loving Savior.