ACCEPTANCE OF THE
WORLD
INTRODUCTION
Acceptance of the world is becoming more of a reality as the message of truth is diminishing in scope. There is an abnormal flow of ungodliness, secularism, and culture drift that has penetrated into lands once committed to God.
There is an interaction with the world that formerly did not exist as the ungodly elevate their influence in the land; with laws and rulings made to accommodate this invasion of ungodliness!
Acceptance of the World
No Shame
The prophet Jeremiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, said: Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush (no shame); therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit (punish) them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 6:15).
It was noted that the people refused to walk in true righteousness; moving in their own paths and following their own way, leading them to destruction. We are seeing promotion of ungodly ways that previously would not have been allowed; with no shame, but rather pride in openly proclaiming their agenda.
Watchmen Sounding
the Alarm
The prophet Jeremiah in sounding the alarm, said: Thus saith the Lord, 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. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet, but they said, we will not hearken (Jeremiah 6:16-17).
This was in reference to Judah, in the Old Testament, but is it not appropriate for what we are witnessing today? Have such happenings become so commonplace that there is no longer concern? Where are the watchmen (as Jeremiah) to sound the alarm, blow the trumpet, to give warning? Scripture reveals: Let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober (alert) (1 Thessalonians 5:6).
Judgment Pronounced
The prophet Jeremiah was tasked, in speaking the words of the Lord, to pronounce judgment, saying: Hear, O earth, I (God) will bring evil (calamity) upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts because they have not hearkened to my words, nor to my law, but rejected it (Jeremiah 6:19).
It was noted punishment was for the evil of sin committed by them, even the fruit of their thoughts, contrived; devised with design and purpose! God would bring upon them calamities and distresses that their evil minds deserved. Are we not seeing the fruit of ungodly thoughts bringing forth destructive measures today?
Ungodliness Easily
Accessed
The prophet Ezekiel, called the Son of man by God, was shown abominations being committed in the land. Scripture reveals: Son of man, have you see what the ancients (elders) of the house of Israel do in the dark (in secret), every man in the chambers of his imagery (room of his idols)? For they say, the Lord sees us not (Ezekiel 8:12).
How many, in the vanity of their mind, seek to appease the flesh, unmindful or uncaring that such is an abomination in the sight of God? How many take advantage of modern day technology to feast on the ungodliness provided at the touch of one’s finger tip; regardless of where it will lead them?
Progression of Sin
The prophet Ezekiel was told of God: Turn yet again and you shall see greater abominations that they do. Then Ezekiel was brought to the door of the gate of the Lord’s house which was toward the north; and there sat women weeping before a fertility God (Ezekiel 8:13-14). Ezekiel was asked of God, have you seen this? Turn yet again and you shall see greater abominations than these!
And God brought Ezekiel into the inner court of the Lord’s house, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about 25 men, with their backs toward the temple of the Lord, and their faces toward the east; worshiped the sun toward the east (Ezekiel 8:15-16). Abominations (sin) progressed from one area to another; as it does today, multiplying in purpose and determination to control minds and hearts of the people!
Anger of the Lord
The anger of the Lord was kindled against those in Ezekiel’s day, who committed abominations (sin) against Him! Ezekiel was asked: O son of man? Is it a light (trivial) thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger. Therefore will I deal in fury; my eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, and though they cry (cry out) in my ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them (Ezekiel 8:17-18).
Sin is not to be treated lightly; for God takes note of what is happening in the land, as reflected in revealing to Ezekiel the abominations (sin) being committed. Scripture reveals why God seemingly allows sin to be manifested: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (punishment of the ungodly), as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Day of Judgment
It was noted that God having power and authority to create also has power and authority to destroy that which He creates. This was shown by the pre-Flood days of Noah. When humans become so evil, that every thought and imagination of the human mind and heart was only evil continually, God decided to destroy from the earth the humans He had created. To give life and take away life are both within God's authority.
The Apostle Peter brings it closer to home in saying: Whereby the world that then was (pre-Flood days of Noah), being overflowed with water, perished (except those in the ark of safety). But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire against (until) the day of judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:6-7).
The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens and the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3:10).
New Heavens and
a New Earth
Apostle Peter wrote: Nevertheless we (God’s people), according to his (God’s) promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwell righteousness. Wherefore, seeing that you (the believer) look for such things, be diligent, that you may be found of him (the Lord) in peace, without spot, and blameless (2 Peter 3:13-14).
Seeing you know these things before (beforehand), beware let you also, being led away with the error of the wicked (acceptance of the world), fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17-18).
The spotlight, in many cases, is being placed on acceptance of the world, its ungodly traits and ways, with many relishing in its promotion; rather than adherence to the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God!
Love Not the World
Acceptance of the world is bringing a destructive note to those who are caught up in ungodly attributes and promotions. Scripture reveals: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father (heavenly Father) is not in him (1 John 2:15).
It was noted that this is given in the sense of deserting or failure in pledging personal loyalty and devotion to God. Many today, who formerly walked uprightly in the paths of righteousness, are being influenced by a worldly environment that has become more attractive.
Scripture reveals: All that is in the world (acceptance of the world), the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (self-interest), is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:16-17). It was noted that world signifies the evil desire and sin so much a part of human existence.
Destruction Foretold
Scripture reveals that a man of God (Jonah) was sent to pronounce God’s judgment. It is recorded that Jonah went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city (over 120,000 inhabitants) of three days’ journey. And as Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, he cried out and said, yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown (destroyed) (Jonah 3:3-4).
Scripture reveals: The people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth (a sign of repentance), from the greatest of them even to the least of them (Jonah 3:5). It was a national endeavor; not just a few individuals, starting with the king of Nineveh, and emphasized with a fast in which neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, would taste anything; nor drink water.
In the midst of fasting they were to cry out mightily to God, turning everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that was in their hands, saying, who can tell if God will turn and repent (relent), and turn away from his fierce anger that we perish not (Jonah 3:9)?
Nineveh Type Repentance
Scripture reveals: God saw their works (repentance), that they turned from their evil ways; and God repented (relented) of the evil (destruction) that he had said that he would do to them, and he did it not (Jonah 3:10).
It was noted that God did not change in His ultimate intention towards the Ninevites; rather, they changed in their attitude toward Him. On the basis of that change; God could deal with them in mercy, rather than in judgment as their failure to repent would have necessitated.
Acceptance of the world, walking in ungodly ways, will bring judgment; but repentance ensures mercy and grace of a heavenly Father, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! Scripture reveals: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (the Lord Jesus Christ) shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Neither is their salvation in any other; for there is no other name under Heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).
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