“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good. God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.”
Psalms 53:1-3 NKJV
“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!”
Isaiah 5:20-23 NKJV
Boil
There are benefits in getting old. In the span of a life, a person can see how the world has changed, how values have declined, and life in general has mutated. In reality, the amount of sin is the same as it always was, but now it is on display and spectacular. Anyone railing against the wickedness is denounced as wicked, and roundly dismissed, or cancelled by the culture. Our world is upside down.
Many seek to right things by trying to apply government to remedy the problem. They push for laws that define their cultural values as the ones of the whole land. Sadly, the values of the “righteous” are increasingly marginalized because those who would live under them are unbelievers, and those that want to make the rules, don’t live by them.
Worse still, those who count themselves as righteous, have sold their souls, having compromised the true religion. With their tongues, the revile the poor, express hate rather than love, and bring shade to the name of Jesus. The hurting and discouraged are blamed for their own problems, and those who have victimized do not own what they have done.
Hearts have become hardened to those in need, giving room for the devil to draw away those who are offended. I have seen so many brothers and sisters, of all political stripes, fall away from the truth.
“If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
James 1:26-27 NKJV
In my time on this planet, I have been an observer. It appears to me that all of humanity is like a frog in a big pot of water and placed on the stove. The frog is all comfy and swims around. There is even a little lilly pad to rest on. All is well. Unbeknownst to the frog, the water is getting gradually hotter.
There have been little compromises in the culture over time, little changes where things, once taboo, have found acceptance. There is some protest, perhaps even a boycott or two, but the progression is on going. What is happening in the culture, is also happening in the people.
Years ago, tiny bubbles began to form at the bottom of the pot, and the water was just a little warmer, but the frog became accustomed to it. As our world has changed, we have become accustomed to the slippage, the little compromises.
We have also moved away from the Bible as our guide. There are so many people I know, who read about the Bible, read about the people in the Bible, but do not actually read and study the Bible for themselves. They lean on commentaries, digesting the reflections of others like baby birds eating the regurgitation of their mothers.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
II Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV
“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 NKJV
Brothers and sisters, it is time to put away all the things that have taken us away from the word of God, and begin anew to be transformed by the word, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The pot that is our world is nearing the boiling point, and the frog is almost ready to serve.
Poverty is reaching alarming levels, as people who were once working and adding to the society, have been pushed aside. Hopelessness is epidemic, as people have seen their lives turned upside down. The efforts to win a culture war, which can not be won, have divided soul from soul. In the midst of all of this, God has given us a golden opportunity to share the Gospel, but all too many of us have become so politicized that we don’t bother.
Turning back to Scripture can serve as a reminder of who we were.
Time is short.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
II Timothy 4:3-5 NKJV
THE PRAYER CHAIR IS OPEN! Send me your requests!
May the Lord give us both strength and Mercy to finish well. Thank you
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