Article: SUFFERING SOCIETY

Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 11:31 PM

SUFFERING SOCIETY
By Patrick D. Andrews

The statistics are on the front page of our newspapers--violent crimes committed by young people are up over 600 percent over the past decade! Why? What has gone wrong? Who is responsible? Here's the short answer. Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.

It seems readily apparent that our society has given up on God. It has determined that the Almighty Jehovah is not worthwhile and is merely a crutch for the uneducated and simple minded. Consequently God has been left behind, covered up, and ignored. The creature has relegated the Creator and His Word to some shelf in the library. The collection of dust has increased and knowledge of and respect for right and wrong has gone by the wayside. "All things are now relative!" Our citizens are insensitive to other's pain, injuries and even their deaths Our currency bears the motto "In God We Trust," but it's not nationally true. Satan is moving in, taking over, and gloating about it.

Sadder still, our "churches" have left God's Word out of their pulpits--some of those churches are ours. "They" are more and more comfortable with philosophy and uncomfortable with any "thus saith the Lord."

History repeats itself. Ancient Israel once gave up on God and because they refused to listen to His words, the consequences were devastating. Their idolatrous rulers and leaders were allowed to lead the people into a totally depraved state. God's word was gone and the people didn't even miss it. The priests and prophets were prophesying falsely to attain greater riches. Even at this, the people liked the lies, false teachings, and watered-down prophesies--sound familiar. Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Are we learning from the past? Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. We hear more and more of false preachers and weak elders. The affluent and spiritually weak want to be left alone. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Jesus warned them! Matthew 7:15-16 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? They were lax in their pursuit of knowledge; God has always commanded his people to diligently study His word. Deuteronomy 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

However, Israel didn't want the truth. Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: God was left out and they didn't want to be bothered. Are we any different? Are we seeking God and teaching our children to be seekers of God? Do we fully realize the magnitude of the consequences of our actions or inaction?

Jesus declared the total authority. Matthew 28:18b ....All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. God has given man the means of redemption with no prerogative of changing anything. However, it appears that 21st century USA is set on a course of doing what ancient Israel did. Israel was more concerned with attained wealth than obedience to God.

Too many of our contemporary citizens and brethren have allowed "mammon" to become their god. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Some of our preachers are straying far from where God would have us to be. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

What are our children learning from us? Is God everything to them? How do we compare with Israel when our worship gatherings are more social than spiritual? When the singing is merely a making of noise and the prayers are merely public speeches, we need to reexamine the deep truths of God. Perhaps we are also trying to drink from broken cisterns. Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

God has given us the answer to our problems and provided us with salvation, redemption, sanctification, and reconciliation. If Christ is to make a difference in our lives, we must allow Him take control. Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Our suffering society and spiritually weakened brethren have set their course. "We will not walk therein."