Living
in a fallen world can be troublesome for the believer; especially when one
takes a stand for righteousness without compromise; such a stand was noted in the Book of Genesis, concerning Abraham’s nephew Lot.
Scripture reveals: They (the men of Sodom) called unto Lot, and said to him, where are the men which came in to you this night? Bring them out to us that we may know them (carnally) (Genesis 19:5). Lot responded with: I pray you do not touch them. And they said, stand back, you came to sojourn (stay a little while), and will be a judge; now will we deal worse with you, than with them (Genesis 19:9).
Apostle Paul made reference to those who changed (exchanged) the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature (human depravity) more than the Creator (God); for their women did change (exchanged) the natural use into (for) that which is against nature.
Likewise the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly (shameful) (Romans 1:25-27). The events of the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit have risen again bringing us into a fallen world category!
It was noted that some blame the ills of mankind on the surrounding culture, but after the Great Flood (in Noah’s day), people were given a fresh start; a blank slate to begin anew. What happened; the ancient evil erupted with a vengeance. Our problem is not external; it is in our hearts. We are all family, one race, one people, but, sad to say, we are a fallen race and a depraved family.
Where there is no fear of God, no reverence for God every evil can and will abound. 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.
The Prophet Jeremiah cried out: O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved, How long shall your vain (wicked) thoughts lodge with you (Jeremiah 4:14)? It was noted that today such thinking can arise from many sources: absorbing immoral movies and television; carelessly surfing the Internet; listening to malicious talk; ignoring the Word of God; giving into a materialistic worldview.
A question was asked: Will we allow the sanctifying Scriptures and the purifying blood of Christ to cleanse our heart and mind or will we persist in sin-filled thinking and experience God's judgment? Has one become so blinded by lustful pursuits that they fail to see the need of a redeeming (delivering) Savior from the grip of sin? Has living in a fallen world become acceptable rather than repulsive; a question that needs to be answered by each individual’s heart towards the saving of the soul!
Jonathan Edwards sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” contained these words: Consider the fearful danger you are in: You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder. You have no interest in any mediator, and nothing to hold on to save yourself.
Nothing to keep the flames of wrath away, nothing of your own, nothing that you have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment. Those words still ring loud and clear today towards endangered souls who are about to descend into eternity without the benefit of a Savior (the Lord Jesus Christ), unless repentance comes prior to Judgment Day!
Some of the church has embraced living in a fallen world concept. It was noted that we are living in a very permissive day when the religious world is so tolerant to most any and all kinds of standards and lifestyles. This permissiveness and tolerance is the result of a self-willed and carnal minded society.
As a result of such tolerance and permissiveness, there are many churches, and even denominations, which have altered their teachings, their standards, and even their interpretations of the Scriptures to please, to comply with and accommodate this permissive and tolerant society. Very few people this day hold to their heart’s convictions; they change to blend in with their environment.
As tolerance and acceptability play into the picture; we see more of what has been described becoming the norm. The influence of a younger generation is becoming more persuasive than godly saints of the past. Which will it be Christian Biblical Values or secular values? It was noted that we are in a crucial moment throughout what once were the Christian nations of the Western World; many today want secular values without reference to God!
Of all influences brought to bear on the Jewish exiles (Daniel 1:3-5), none were more damaging than the attempt to make them forget their God and values! We are seeing the youth of the land becoming as pawns in the hands of the ungodly; programming them at a young age rather than godly influence.
There is an ongoing influence through Socialism, Marxism, cousins to Communism; Critical Race Theory (CRT), the Great Reset Plan, instituted by the World Economic Forum; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Transformation that would upset the normality of life for generations to come.
Goals include: Discredit family as an institution; control of the schools to use as tools for promoting ungodly agenda; eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them violation of free speech and free press; break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography in books, magazines, motion pictures, and TV; promote homosexuality as normal, natural, healthy; infiltrate the press, gain control of key positions in government, radio, TV, and motion pictures; infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with social religion.
Living in a fallen world can at times project a hopeless outlook as in the case of the Prophet Elijah, who cried out to the Lord: I have been very zealous for the Lord God; the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant and thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only am left, and they seek my life to take it away (1 Kings 19:10).
God’s answer to Elijah’s distress: Yet I have left (reserved) me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal (a false god) (1 Kings 19:18). One may be dismayed at the power of the enemy (Satan and his cohorts) but God has equipped His people to fight the good fight of faith during troublesome times.
In a world full of shadows (living in a fallen world), it is sometimes difficult to believe we can make a difference. It was noted that sometimes our little light seems small indeed; with the darkness being overwhelming. But throughout history of the church has always been as a community of light that cannot be quenched
Jesus said: You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14); let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16); describing the essential mission of the Christian to the world a light to the world. His light is the clearly shine forth into the darkness of human depravity. Darkness is the absence of light; and darkness alone cannot dispel the light but the smallest light can dispel the greatest darkness.
Apostle Paul wrote: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles (devices) of the devil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood (human standards), but against principles, against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take (take up) the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day (living in a fallen world), and having done all to stand (Ephesians 5:10-13). The whole armor of God consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God!
Apostle Paul noted: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of human standards), but mighty through God to the tearing down of strongholds; casting down of imaginations (arguments), and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Jesus said to Apostle Peter: You are Peter, and upon this rock (foundation) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
Jesus’ assurance that despite living in a fallen world; that the gates of hell (forces of evil) shall not prevail against the church! Forces of opposition are seemingly being victorious in nature but reality is that in the end the forces of righteousness will prevail! We are living in a fallen world but God’s Word assures a victorious life with Jesus being the source of that victory!
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