What would you say is the most dangerous infection or disease in our world today? Corona viruses? HIV? Cancer? Diabetes? Obesity? Coronary Heart Disease? These certainly are at the top of the list. All can all be deadly, some can be prevented, but all hold a prominent place in the health of our nation. Yet, none of these are nearly as serious as the infection of sin. Sin seems to be so easily accepted whether one approves of it or not. Going with the flow seems to be the most popular thing to do, even if where the flow is going does not align with your personal values. It is easy, and we tend to justify or deny wrong. Where do you stand? What is your approval rating for the morality and values of the culture that surrounds us? Would it be accurate to say that our nation and even the world has accepted sin? What about you? Have you accepted it? The Bible is clear that all nations and all individuals will be judged. God gives us all we need to know in order to live a full, rewarding life in Him. We only need to read the instructions found in the pages of the Bible. He also tells us that if we condone or accept sin by going with the flow, we have put our eternal life in danger!
There is an idiom that history buffs like to use, and it is in fact quite descriptive. It is “crossing the Rubicon.” In 49 B.C.E. Julius Caesar was standing at the banks of the Rubicon River with his 13th legion of armed soldiers. Looking ahead, he is said to have quoted from a play by Menander to say “anerriphtho kybos!” Greek for “let the die be cast!” Then he crossed the Rubicon river and became embroiled in civil war which ultimately led him to become dictator and ushered in the Imperial Era of Rome. Once he crossed that river, there was no going back, he had to succeed! He had broken Roman law and by doing so and there would be no forgiveness. I don't think there is any doubt that America, and the world, have crossed the Rubicon and are embroiled in a battle for our minds, values, and souls, as well as those of our children. All are involved from the top leadership down. The source is Satan, and the tools are politicians, the Educational system, big corporations, even science! The battle has already transformed politics and morality along with our culture and society to something we would never have even imagined. Could it be possible that this also is a repetition of history?
Take a moment to read Lamentations Chapter 1-2. See the explicit suffering and woe. The pain of a devastated city. Ancient Judah had crossed the Rubicon. The die was cast. They were so far off track and so far removed from God and His standard, that despite the many times God spoke to them to change their ways and follow Him, they just kept spiraling into the depths of sin. In spite of His warnings, they continued to first tolerate sin against God's standards, then to accept it, then to practice it; bringing suffering and destruction to themselves and their children as they were exiled to Babylon. There they were used as the Babylonians wished. Lamentations 2:14 says, “Your prophets (the ones they chose, not God's prophets) have seen for you false and deceptive visions. They have not uncovered your iniquity to bring back your captives, but have envisioned for you false prophecies and delusions.” They did not pursue the truth as they did not have a love for the truth. They simply allowed themselves to be led away by the nose. To not know history is to be doomed to repeat it.
Have we seen the sins in our nation uncovered or supported? The very politicians we have voted into power seem to have to prove how progressive they are by the support of murdering the most vulnerable in our society; fulfilling their lust for power. Their delusion is that it is progressive when really it is no different than centuries ago when children were sacrificed to idols of the heathen people. Whether before birth or after birth by intentional killing, or through the support of those who encourage and teach deadly lifestyles as acceptable, which God has expressly forbidden as abominable to Him , it is still sacrificing the innocent to complete an agenda. Most pastors shy away from even the mention of these evils as they fear the repercussions from the local culture or from the government. Is that a love of the truth? Is that an expression of humble gratitude for God's grace and forgiveness?
So, now what do we do? We check ourselves, check our love for the Lord and our commitment to live for him. Make sure you are not living in pride and vanity, taking for granted the wonderful life you have in Christ. Be responsible, there is no excuse to not live for Him now that we know Him. Not to speak up for Him and His ways that we know are good and right! We have the Word, we have His spirit. We must study the Word of God like never before so we can see and understand what is happening in our time, only then can we prepare ourselves. We must know His purpose and live by His law in His way, not the world's way, and live boldly for Christ. That is the love of the truth! That is living a humble and righteous life. That is what He commands, to be separate from the world by living by His standards! He wants His family to always be with Him, not to crash and burn with the world. So, never suppress the truth in unrighteousness. He makes it very simple for us, not easy, but simple. Then, He is there every step of the way so we do not have to fear! In Revelation 2:10 Jesus encourages us to be faithful unto death, and He will give us a crown of life! He tells us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 ..."God is faithful and will not suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able; but will, with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it!" Look for Him and trust! He is Faithful!
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