THE ILLS OF OUR SOCIETY
The ills of our society certainly do not promote good health for a nation once founded on the principles of a godly nature. The term ill denotes that which is not healthy, normal, and is unsound, resulting in suffering and distress. It refers also to that which is not up to recognized standards of excellence or conduct. There are forces within who are attempting to destroy all that is good and moral. I have many times utilized the words of Isaiah, who under the direction of God cried out, Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that but bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to them that are prudent in their own sight! Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Their conduct did not go unheeded for Isaiah said, therefore as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness: because they have cast away the law of the Lord, and despised the word of the Holy One (Isaiah 5:20-24). Pandora's BoxIn Greek mythology a woman named Pandora is mentioned, who was entrusted with a box containing all the ills that could plague mankind, and she opened it. Though this is only a myth it is as if this has happened, not only to this nation, but others as well, as safeguards that were in place yesteryear are cast aside to allow evil to override that which is morally right. We are living in a society that flaunts that which is good and makes evil appear acceptable.Does one sat in their chair of ease while they see the ills of our society override Those Who Flaunt God's WordAs people of our land parade their sin before God, with no remorse or condemnation, does one not become as Lot who was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds (2 Peter 2:7-8). Scripture records that the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust to the Day of Judgment to be punished (V9).Those who flaunt God's Word and promote immorality do so without remorse, or shame, and it will take the hand of an Almighty God to bring conviction or change. God brought judgment on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to make them an example unto those that should live ungodly, and delivered just Lot (2 Peter 2:6-7). The ills of that society, that brought God's judgment, and vexed Lot's righteous soul, are flourishing once again as history repeats itself. Has the Values of Our Nation Ruptured?The ills of our society are continuing to blossom forth with resistance seemingly being brushed aside. Laws and rulings are now being set forth that at one time would never have been considered. Has the values of our nation ruptured to the point that it is affecting the nation as a whole?Scripture reveals there will be a time that the fruit of righteousness will be turned into hemlock (Amos 6:12). It is interesting that the word hemlock refers to a plant that poison is derived from. Poison infects or pollutes the body until injury, illness, or death results. When acceptability comes into focus, of the previously unacceptable, it denotes a problematic outlook towards a reversal of what use to be. As stated earlier, it will take the hand of God to set one free from such an embrace! The Life of a BelieverWe are living in a time when the ills of our society can have a harmful influence on the life of a believer in Christ, if they fall into the category of acceptability of what is being promoted today. The church, the body of Christ, has opened itself to examination because of its acceptance of the previously unacceptable. The separation that use to identify the believer in Christ is becoming more remote, and less appealing, as a new independence is realized.Jeremiah in speaking the words of the Lord said, Stand you in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein (Jeremiah 6:16). The people refused to walk in the traditional ways of true righteousness but rather walked in their own paths and followed their own ways, is it not so in our day as well? Does one embrace these ways or walk in the ways of the Lord?
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