GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION
INTRODUCTION
Gravity of the situation is a term used to describe the extreme importance, seriousness, or criticality of a particular event or set of circumstances. It implies that the matter at hand has significant, potentially heavy consequences and requires careful attention. There are many instances in God’s Word that reveals the seriousness of matters at hand.
When one is seemingly in their darkness hour it is then that the shining light of God’s glory comes on the scene. Such a time was reported by the Prophet Isaiah concerning the future glory of Zion (Israel). Isaiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, said: Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you (Isaiah 60:1).
Isaiah continued in saying: Darkness shall come upon the earth and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon you and his glory shall be seen upon you (Isaiah 60:2). The gravity of the situation was documented but the Lord revealed a time when Israel would arise out of that darkness and shine with His glory.
Gravity of the Situation
False Gods
Gravity of the situation was identified by Apostle Paul when he was in Athens ministering during his second missionary journey. Scripture reveals that while Paul waited for others (Silas and Timothy) his spirit (inner being) was stirred (provoked within) when he saw the city was wholly given over to idolatry (idol worship) (Acts 17:16).
Paul used an altar with the inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD, in an attempt to dispel the darkness of pagan worship by identifying who the unknown God was, in saying: In him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:26). Paul was allowing the Spirit of God to utilize him in identifying the truth rather than the people continuing to ignorantly worship the false gods so readily available.
I thank God for those whose spirit is stirred (provoked), as Paul’s, in witnessing what is happening today, understanding the gravity of the situation, as ungodliness flourishes, appeasement and tolerance are allowed rather than stand in opposition.
Sodom and Gomorrah
Apostle Peter noted the gravity of the situation in regard to circumstances surrounding Lot, in the city of Sodom, in reporting: Lot was vexed (oppressed) with the filthy conversation (conduct) of the wicked (those in Sodom); for this righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed (tormented) his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds (2 Peter 2:7-8).
Just prior to reporting about Lot, Peter revealed that God spared not the old world (pre-Flood days of Noah), but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the ungodly. With the exception of Lot and his family, Peter noted: God turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow (destruction) making them an example to those that after should live ungodly (2 Peter 2:5-6).
Change in Venue
The gravity of the situation is that ungodliness is being promoted with relish rather than condemned. Thank God for godly leadership, by some, that are seeking to return to the righteousness and holiness established in God’s Word. Thank God a renewed hope being instilled through godly individuals taking a stand, without compromise.
Thank God for those that have risen up to offset what is being taught in the schools towards immorality rather than morality. Thank God for His mercy being extended, at the moment, instead of wrath as in the case of the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit. However, God will deal with the ungodly in His time as confirmed in His Word (Romans 1:18).
Camouflaging the Truth
The gravity of the situation comes into foreplay when churches no longer uphold the truth of God’s Unadulterated (Pure) Word. There is an inroad to injustice by those who attempt to offset God’s Word towards acceptance of lifestyles that are condemned in God’s Word; through a progressive social gospel which does little to clarify the entirety of God’s Word.
The Apostle Paul, in recognizing the gravity of the situation, warned against those who would deviate or teach that which is contrary to God’s Word, in writing: If any man preach any other gospel to you than that which you have received, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:10). In speaking of the Galatians, He wrote: I marvel that you are so soon turning away from him that called you unto the grace of God to another gospel, which is not another, but there be some (false teachers) that trouble you, and would (want to) pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7).
It was noted that “you are so soon removed” refers to quickly deserting. The Galatians were in the initial stages of defecting to another gospel, with Paul attempting to set the record straight. There is a “like mindedness” being enacted towards desertion of the truth of God’s Word to adjust and compromise; to blend in with the environment of the secular society of today.
Failing to Recognize
the Truth
The gravity of the situation is revealed in the following text: If the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded (Noah Webster).
It was noted that where there is no fear of God, no reverence for God, every evil can and will abound. It was noted that the idea that we humans will be good without God is a deceptive fallacy. When people are devoid of the knowledge and wisdom that come from believing God and having reverence for Him, they become morally corrupt, exceedingly evil, violent and destructive.
Wise and Foolish
Contrasted
The gravity of the situation is revealed in Scripture which gives a contrast between the wise and foolish: As the whirlwind passes, so is the wicked no more; but the righteous is an everlasting foundation (Proverbs 10:25). The integrity of the upright shall guide them; but the perverseness (deceit) of transgressors (sin ridden individuals) shall destroy them (Proverbs 11:3).
He that walks in his uprightness fears (reverences) the Lord; but he that is perverse in his ways is despised of him (Proverbs 14:2). Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin is a reproach (shame) to its people (Proverbs 15:34). There are evils that God condemns or warns of the gravity of the situation; if one continues to follow such a path.
Separation Required
The gravity of the situation required an adjustment, as identified by Apostle Paul: Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable (rational) service. Be not conformed to this world (sin and degradation), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
Come out from among them (the world), and be you separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). Apostle John wrote: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world (worldly attributes), if any man love world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). We are witnessing a tendency towards a half-hearted commitment to God while embracing the world at the same time.
Conclusion of the Whole
Matter
King Solomon testified of the fallacy of worldly gain, in noting: I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy, then I looked on all the labor hat I had labored (toiled) to do; and all was vanity (futility) and vexation of spirit (grasping for the wind); and there was no profit under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11).
Jesus said, what is a man profited, if he gain the world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (Matthew 17:26)? Solomon proclaimed: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear (reverence) God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man; for God shall bring every work into judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Jesus gave the gravity of the situation concerning a wayward church, by extending an invitation: I stand at the door (door of one’s heart), and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door (only you can), I will come in to him, and will sup (dine or fellowship) with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20). I accepted that invitation towards salvation of the soul, and have continually dined (fellowshipped) with the Lord since that eventful day; if you have not already done so, I would encourage you to do so today, tomorrow may be too late.
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