“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves – covetous – boasters – proud – blasphemers – disobedient to parents – unthankful – unholy…(5) having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.”
This text from 2Tim.3 very aptly describes the current state of affairs of our present culture in this nation. It seems that everywhere in our society there is opposition to God and His incarnated eternal savior Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This, indeed, is a direct cause in the breakdown of the fulfillment of the Biblical description of the family structure (as it is supposed to be). For example, we live in a land where there are laws against Christian prayer and Bible reading in our schools. This, by itself, engenders a general attitude of spiritual indifference as a rule among our students. This, in turn, adversely affects the teaching vocation as a whole. Our educators are diligent to make no positive reference to God, or the Bible, in the course of their teaching.
From 1Jn.2:15-17 we read: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life – is not of the Father, but of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
How is this text relevant? Worldliness is running rampant – not only in our society as a whole, but also in our churches! Worldly ways, means and music has been, and is being, adopted and accepted as an attraction to accomplish and increase church attendance. Hence, our children are being trained to become citizens of this world – instead of heaven [Phil.3:20]. They are being assimilated into a predominantly carnal culture [Ro.12:1-2] Christianity, itself, is being massaged and manipulated to fit in with this fallen world that it is supposed to resist and avoid. Our children are being proselytized into a false carnal “christian” way of living instead of genuinely being evangelized and regenerated by the Holy Spirit in accordance with God’s Word! So called gospel presentations are being performed according to worldly wisdom – and are, therefore, not even able to be effective in producing any real change in a person’s life. This contributes to the misconception that worldliness is acceptable with God – when it is not!
Jesus said from Jn.16:33 : “In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer – I have overcome the world.” In addition, He said from Jn.17:9 “I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me – for they are thine!”
Because of the current course of opposition to God that our culture is on – and the fact that worldliness permeates even the presentation and profession of true Christianity – unfavorable judgment from our sovereign, holy God is being poured out upon our nation as a result. Hence, there is only one course of corrective action that will deliver us; and that is to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ in earnestly and effectively praying – in the Spirit — for His good and Godly leadership in every way and at every level of our country’s government.
Jesus also prayed from Jn.17:15 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one).” He then declared from the next two verses: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them (lit.) in thy truth. Thy Word is truth.” Let us praise His mighty Name!
For Christ’s Glory Only!
-John Carpenter
