If there was any doubt left in my mind about our nation’s “moral measuring stick”, this week pretty much took care of it. - It all started while my wife and I were watching a new TV series called “Flash Forward”. - We’d been watching it for several weeks and it seemed somewhat interesting -- and then, out of nowhere, one woman gets up from the table, leans over and kisses another woman -- right on prime-time TV!
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but we were actually shocked at how blatant and in-your-face it was. -- Of course, being the “prudish, old fashioned” Christians we are, we immediately turned it off and cancelled the season recording on our DVR.
Oh -- but it’s only just begun! -- A few nights later, Adam Lambert of “American Idol” fame, while performing on the American Music awards and again on prime-time, displayed deviant sexual acts including leading males around on leashes, pushing another male’s face into his crotch, and then kissing his male keyboard player full-mouthed. -- Remember, this is a show that reaches a mostly younger audience.
But wait -- I’m still not finished! -- Also this past weekend we saw the movie release, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”, score the third largest opening weekend of all time. The movie earned over $140 million.
Why is this so disturbing? - It involves a love triangle which includes a young teenage girl, a vampire and a werewolf. - Talk about dark characters out of the depths of Hell. - The real tragedy is that this movie’s audience is made up of 80% young teenage girls. -- As one observer appropriately commented, “Watching this is like selling your soul for puppy love.”
2 Timothy 2:16-17 says, “Shun profane and idle babbling, for they will increase to ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer.”
This scripture tells us that if this blatant disrespect for the common laws of decency are allowed, it will “spread like cancer” -- and it is! These three entertainment “opportunities” took place in just the past few days! -- It used to be occasional, but now it is constant. - This is the problem with sin - it is very progressive in nature. When we as a society allow room for one “minor sin”, one of a more evil nature will quickly follow, ultimately evolving into a raging fire.
So we blinked, and now the evil forces are pressing in upon us -- and we wonder why? -- One example would be our nation’s political leaders. While most profess the Christian faith, they have an odd way of displaying it.
Let’s take a moment and review the satanic influences that were on display in the U.S. House of Representatives back in May of this year when they voted 249-175 to grant special rights to those who choose to practice homosexuality, an activity that God’s word, the Bible, condemns as an abominable sin. -- The U.S. government thus took a tragic step toward the abyss, with the entire nation in tow.
We in America are confronted right now with massive economic and social problems unparalleled in our history - yet the harder our leaders work at solving our problems, the more trillions they spend attempting to rescue our economy, the worse the problems become. - Why? Because they continue to ignore the fundamental principle which ultimately determines the success or failure of nations. Simply, when humans reject God and refuse to believe and follow His word, they are left to their own devices - which eventually always fail, for “There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12.
So, at the most basic level, our problems are not really economic, social or political -- they are spiritual! - America has forsaken God - we have rejected Him and His rule both as individuals and as a nation.
And what about the church in all this? - From my own experience I’ve watched the church evolve from the “eternal security” false teachings of the 50’s and 60’s to the more modern “get rich” wealth theology, or “be a better you” feel-good - itching ear messages -- all of which are shallow and have no lasting foundation for the times we are facing.
Over these past several years, I’ve visited many different churches of varying denominations and have experienced some good music, great humor, superb presentations, patriotism -- but rarely did I ever hear anything that would make me wonder if my salvation was at stake - that my very soul could be in jeopardy.
While I realize that nobody wants to hear they’re “going to Hell” every five minutes, it still needs to be presented as a reality for a sinful lifestyle.
For the wages of sin is death...(Romans 6:23)
Matthew 7:21-23 states,
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
We watch as our society has become a modern-day Sodom & Gomorrah -- and we must remember that no nation has ever survived when reduced to this level of sin and debauchery.
All this moral erosion tells me that tribulation judgement is coming soon. At some point, God is going to say, “Enough is enough!” and will begin to pour out His vengeance on this evil nation and world.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 says, “But you brethren, are not in darkness, so that this day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”
Until next time,
Red