SINS OF THE LAND
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Our nation is in great moral decay and getting worse day by day. Political correctness has desensitized and numbed the conscience of multiplied millions. Immorality is no longer considered immoral, it’s simply passed off as being a “social issue.” In the minds of those who subscribe to this idea, this makes it neither right nor wrong and therefore cannot be condemned. Especially is this so with the depraved sins of sodomy (homosexuality, lesbianism and so-called same sex marriage) and abortion (the horrifying slaughter of innocent babies). As heinous and despicable as these two atrocities are, they have become the norm and those who oppose them are often passed off as hate-mongers.
The day is drawing closer, and already exists in some places, that opposing sodomy is a hate-crime and those who do so are considered dangerous and a threat to society. The Department of Homeland Security sent out a bulletin (explained as an assessment) in 2009 to law enforcement agencies across the U.S. saying they should be on alert for right-wing extremist organizations. Such groups should be monitored more closely. They say that individuals in such groups are vulnerable to being recruited as terrorists. What groups do they consider to be right-wing extremists? In today’s climate of perversion, we should not be surprised that they would say it is those who oppose homosexuality and same sex marriage. Those who oppose abortion and contend for the unborn’s “right to life.” Those who believe the United States’ boarders should be secured (they call it immigration). Those who believe in gun rights protected by the 2nd Amendment. Those who are returning veterans of the military (Iraq & Afghanistan particularly, seeing they know how to use weapons and might teach others how to use them). Those who are concerned about the religion of Islam. Those who are conservative, traditional, and still believe in the Constitution. Basically, if you contend for God, home and family; if you believe there is an absolute standard of right and wrong, righteousness and evil, sin and error, then you are considered a right-wing extremist or at least closely connected with them. Members of these groups are all on the hit-list to be watched more closely. Do you feel someone breathing down your neck?
The freedom of speech, protected by the 1st Amendment, is under attack. Current policies and practices allow and protect those who push their agenda of same sex marriage and gay and lesbian “rights“, but seeks to stop the mouths of those who contest and challenge it. To oppose such would make you a right-wing extremist. To speak out against this perversion of God and family is considered a “hate-crime.” Why is it that some can say anything they want to promote immoral behavior (their right to do so being protected under the Constitution), but others cannot say anything to oppose such behavior? Isn’t our right to oppose such practices protected as well? While freedom of speech does not protect someone yelling “fire” in a crowded auditorium, it does protect one’s right to oppose and expose immorality and wickedness.
God said through Isaiah, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). Does this not sound like the times in which we now live? Though Isaiah is speaking of events in his own time, the principle applies in our generation of corrupt men and women who have abandoned all sense of right and wrong according to God’s standard (Romans 15:4). Notice these passages that tell us what God thinks about it:“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 17:15). “He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them” (Proverbs 24:24-25).
Who would have ever believed that in such a short period of our life-time, perversions of humanity would gain acceptance with the masses? Will the morally upright allow the morally degenerate to have their way? NO, they cannot — WE must not. The creator of heaven and earth tells us to contend for purity and righteousness. If we don’t stand up and proclaim righteousness throughout the land, no one else is going to. However, the war in which we are engaged is a war of “words.” It is not a war of physical violence. It is not one of anarchy and mayhem (“the wilful and unlawful crippling or mutilation of another person, violent and needless disturbance“).
We are in a battle for the hearts and souls of men. We are at war with wickedness wherever it may appear. However, we are not to take to the streets, and as thugs, cause havoc and anarchy. There is no law, either man-made or God-made, that protects those who would commit criminal acts of inflicting bodily harm. “(For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
The righteous of the earth are at war! As soldiers of the cross, we are engaged in a fierce battle. We are well equipped in the Lord’s army to do the job we’ve been given to do. Ephesians 6:10-17 words it this way. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Notice that in one hand we hold the sword of the Spirit, the powerful Word of God. And, in the other hand we hold the shield of faith “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16-17; Nehemiah 4:17). With these two, we hold the most powerful weapons the world has ever known.
Jails and prisons remove the depraved and debased from society so they can no longer work their evil deeds upon the public, but such institutions cannot change a person’s mind. The powerful Word of God, on the other hand, reaches the very seat of mankind’s problem. It affects the very mind and thinking of individuals. When one changes their thinking (their mind), their actions automatically change. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that a man is what he thinks in his heart. He will do as his heart dictates. If his heart is evil, he will do evil. If his heart is good, he will do good.
The word of God and teaching it in every place is the tool we use to win the hearts of the way-ward. It is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:17-21; Ephesians 6:11-17). The unadulterated word of God must be preached from the house-tops and no government on earth can prevent it’s spread. It works good in the lives of people, not evil. It brings peace and tranquility. It offers no threat of bodily harm to anyone. But instead, it brings an inner peace that is beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7). Will you let the eternal Word of God change your life for good?