The demise of dignity.
It is a rather curious thing to see how far society has let go of what once was a good principle for living: "everyone is worthy for have a life to live." Or another way to put that is this: the dignity and worth of human lives. This was the ethic and foundation which Christianity had given to many different civilisation that it encounter and won over (How Christianity changed the World!); but of later we see a complete reversal of this wonderful notion. But now we see that due to secular thinking and scientism; then ideologies like feminism and so on such a notion which is other-centeredness has been replace a sinful self centred deception.
Let us consider a few facts that have shaped this new way of thinking.
The scale of time
This ethical revisionist ideal has come on us fast-- real fast in fact, but even so there have been clear signs of it taking place.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth (Rom. 1:18)
The point should established: what we are seeing in the current context is an exact expression and fulfilment of these vital words. The devalue of human life from the womb to the tomb is a clear witness to the fact that the knowledge of God has been "suppressed" and so to has the singular truth of creation that all men have been created in the image of God. So while it is true that we are all born sinner by nature and depraved in our ways still the image of God that is the divine determination of our value and worth.
But where there was some semblance of truth being understood in our Lands-- it now has been eroded and exchanged with a pragmatic system of though: if it works then it is right. And this is where such things like abortion has been able to have foothold on society.. And this, of course, has led to further degradation of human life. It is a shameful thing. If, for whatever reason you don't want a child, then give up for adopt. whatever you do do not terminate its life for any reason as that is murder.
But this a clear sign that such a people who advocate this fall into this category:
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done (Rom. 1:28)
Again it has to do with not acknowledging God which is a denial of truth. And therefore, we are told of such people:
Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess. 2:11-12)
Do you follow the point? There is a clear pattern forming: these people are by their actions "supressing the truth" and are steeped in their own sinful territory. So God, therefore, out of righteous anger gives them other to their delusions. That mean to put it simply: society has been left to stew in their own deception. Is there a way out of this? Yes. But we will come to that later on. For now all I am seeking to do is lay out the reality of this corruption of society so that we can
So how long has it taken: not even a generation: 40-45 years.
A history that speaks
One could ask a simple but highly relevant question at this point: Is this the first time? And to that we can answer "there is nothing new under the sun." Because there clearly is not. The Old Testament gives us some very clear examples of this human depravity:
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die (Genesis 3:1-3)
You want to know how the present resembles the past and how things can change in such a fast manner-- well here is the first recorded case of where God's truth is set aside for the lie of the Devil. Nothing new there-- it has been happening continually throughout history of man. But in this case it was not a matter a generation but only of days; or perhaps weeks. Who know for sure on the duration; but we know it took place because even today we know the effects.
And yet this denial of God has been very clear from the following quote:
“I will now disprove the existence of all gods. If there were gods, how could I bear not to be a god? Consequently, there are no gods.” Nietzsche
And so we see the anti-Theist sentiment in this. And I agree with Douglas Wilson at this point in saying there is no such thing as Atheism. And do so on the ground of scripture: the fool in his heart says "there is no God."" (Ps. 14:1; 53:1) To this rhetoric I simply say that there is no rational means and certainly no justifiable means to make an unproveable assertion into a undeniable fact because man's knowledge is only limited to what he knows; and yet what he does know he is not even completely sure about. And this is a clear fact. Here is what Doug wilson has to state on this:
So if there is no God above us, then what we have down here is a scramble for that job opening. A vacuum is created (in their minds and aching souls), and those with a bad case of the libido dominandi jitters begin to make their preparations to ascend the sides of the north. But after a very short time, they discover that they are not actually ascending the mountains of self-deification at all, but are somehow lost in the canyons of madness. And night is coming on.
So what does this tell us? That history of man has had a clear mentality to do evil thing because they follow their own lusts. How do I best make myself to prima-donna? Because it is all about me and my wants and desires. And this is a clear picture of what scriptures tell us in Ephesians 4:17-19 about the unconverted man. And it is true of each person without Christ.
Men who play god!
Now some man have this twisted sense self-importance; and it comes through in what they believe they have the right to adapt and change to suit the whims of society. Think about the corruption of marriage through the redefinition.
“I once stood before a Conservative conference and said it shouldn’t matter whether commitment was between a man and a woman, a woman and a woman, or a man and another man. You applauded me for that. Five years on, we’re consulting on legalising gay marriage. And to anyone who has reservations, I say: Yes, it’s about equality, but it’s also about something else: commitment. Conservatives believe in the ties that bind us; that society is stronger when we make vows to each other and support each other. So I don’t support gay marriage despite being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I’m a Conservative.
And so we have this downward Spiral! Marriage is a defined union between one Man and one woman! There can be no other basis for marriage without it severely and fundamentally deteriorating. But beyond this observation there can be more said on the issue but I want to concentrate on two points: (1) Marriage was never to be something men voted on as it was given by God as means of bring stability to heterosexual relationships. It is both a compatible reality owing to its physical basis and a complimentary in terms of spiritual unity. A man and a women both complete one another and are compatible. (2) what this really shows is how far society are willing to be lead by the Devil into sin that there is no escape from.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”... but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ (Gensis 3:1b;4)
And that is the problem: 'has God said'. Did he really say that you cannot change the boundaries on this thing here. And we know what the devil is:
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
In the same way that the Devil's mission was to set himself up as God (Isaiah 14:12-21); and so does his minions such as one previous mentioned: Nietzsche And this is one example just that being done.
Blood on the Alter
The modern day Molech is a thriving business. One time it was wrong to murder under all circumstances; but now there seems to be a false justification being made where 2unwanted" pregnancies are concerned. God warned us against something of similar if not identical weight many centuries ago which is vital to us today:
And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind. Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when it will no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter; for they will bury in Topheth, because there is no room elsewhere.
Someone might say: "I do not see what you are getting at? Allow me to spell it out: Abortion (or the dismemberment of unborn children). That is the problem here. Sure it is a lucrative business (all that money); but so to was infanticide in other ways. If men and women could be seduced to kill their already born children for something like false worship and prostitution-- just think about what men and women today can be seduced to do: murder of a child even before they have had the chance to do what you freely can do.
Do you think that it is okay to deny them what you have had the chance to do? No. The circumstance of their conception may be different to one another; but why punish them. No doubt you will regret such an action at some point like that of those who change their sex do. But here it is worse. It is the taking of an innocent life.
A Gospel overture
So in light of all the evil in the world around us; and in particular the things I have mentioned above. Is there any hope to overcome such a thing as that? Yes. Indeed there is; and here it is in these words:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:14-16)
These are truly wondrous words; and even the thought they capture. But let us note what is being communicated here in this statement. Let us note 3 important truths:
(1) The sinless life of our Lord Jesus Christ
(2) The sin bearing death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(3) The justifying resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As much as it would be good to go into these things at length I will withhold the desire to do so. Because we can point to the 24th and 25th verses of Romans 4 and the 3rd and 4th verses of 1 Corinthians 15. But I will say that in Christ any one who comes to Him out of true faith will find Him to be the most comforting and life transforming saviour.
So then what must be done?
Here, then, happens to be the time for the Gospel to be applied after telling people what it is. And there are two thing that necessary:
First, men and women must repent of their sin. Upon the recognition of what they have been doing in their live and what they have supported as laid out above; they must then turn away from such things because they are evil. They must not only turn away but repudiate them as being things that they should never be involved or give approval. In other words, these thing become immoral and repugnant.
Second, men and women must put their faith in Christ. Upon the preacher giving you an understanding of the vital truths of the Gospel: the Lord must become the centre of their lives; the very definition of their beings; they very heart of all they are and do. And therefore, the scriptures demand us to put our faith and trust in Him. We are give up all hostility and rest in Him for eternal life.
Third, men and women must join a local Church. This is a non-negotiable point: all Christians unless they are physical unable must be a part of a bible believing and teaching church. Once again, the scriptures are clear on this from beginning to end; but one particular passage is this one: "not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Heb. 10:25) The redeemed heart will seek this fellowship. .
All of this is to accomplish on common reality between the Christians: to know and love Christ our Lord. And in this true human dignity is return to its proper place.
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