The
world system has become so jaded that almost nothing is viewed as
wrong. Our society has been conditioned over time to accept sin. A
spirit of “inclusion” has been embraced by many churches so as
nobody feels left out. Everybody must be accepted regardless of their
relationship with God or manner of living. Sure, we are to love
everybody but the Church of Jesus Christ cannot accept a lifestyle of
sin. Sin must be brought before the Lord in repentance!
Gradually
the enemy has crept in and performed his despicable work, undermining
the very foundation of our existence. From the beginning, our social
order was built upon the family unit. God's design for the family has
been manipulated to fit every desire and convenience imaginable to
mankind. However, God has His Standard which cannot be manipulated to
please anyone! The Word of God calls for the sinner to repent of
their sin, turn from their sin and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul
wrote to Timothy of the evil in the last days in 2 Tim. 3:1-5. In
this text, he is identifying the total depravity of the human state.
"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, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5.
Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such
turn away."
As
Christ's return draws near, the depraved conditions will increase.
"But evil men...shall wax worse..."v.13. Paul describes
mass corruption and lawlessness. The warning is that the condition of
the world ultimately presses into the Church. "Having a form of
godliness but denying the power..."v5. Having the resemblance of
Christian service but without the spiritual dynamic of the Holy
Spirit. Peter said, "These are wells without water, clouds that
are carried with a tempest…" 2 Peter 2:17. The barrenness of
this false religion mocks the thirsty soul by promising refreshment
but cannot deliver. Perhaps Jude states it best in vs.12-13, "These
are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you,
feeding themselves without fear; clouds they are without water,
carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit
twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming
out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness forever."
In.
Eph. 6:11 Paul instructs the Church to "put on the whole armor
of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil." The emphasis is on the "whole armor of God" in
its completeness providing power against "the wiles of the
devil." In Romans 13:12-14, he writes "...put you on the
Lord Jesus Christ…"
Paul
addresses the armor of God as a complete covering. Its completeness
corresponds to the divine perfection of Christ's humanity. We are "to
grow up unto Him in all things." Eph. 4:15. We are to put on His
image in all the harmony of truth, righteousness, peace, and faith.
We are to receive the spiritual energy and power of Christ as the
"Word." Jesus Christ is the solution to the present human
condition! He is the embodiment of our power and authority to defeat
the "flesh" which will rule the carnal nature of man in the
Last Days.
No comments:
Post a Comment