Given Over

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. Romans 1:28 If you're 40 or older, perhaps even 30 or older, you likely have heard it said and even say so yourself, that the world has gone insane. We're seeing things in our nation and in the world that would have been unthinkable just 20 years ago. How did it get to be so? What is the church's response? What is yours and what is mine? In Romans 1, Paul the apostle points out what the problem is; the sinfulness of the human race. The choice of most to rebel against God and worship themselves rather than Him, despite His constant reaching out through His grace to bring them to Himself. This has caused Him throughout history at key times, to turn the cultures and nations over to a "depraved," that is, fallen mind. In short He let them have their way, and let them reap the awful consequences of doing so. Believe it or not, He didn't and doesn't do so from a desire to destroy but to draw them back to Himself. Oftentimes, most times, it's the only way to open their eyes to their need and condition. I believe we are in such a time right now. I believe that the Father has turned our nation, all nations, over to such a mind and condition. Instead of bewailing how awful things are, I believe He is calling His church to seek His face in brokenness, and to intercede for a people intent on destroying themselves....and who have no idea that they are. I can't remember who said it, but I have it in my prayer journal that when the darkness grows ever greater, the problem is not with the darkness, it's with the Light. We, who are to be His Light to the world, have not been so. In too many ways we've sought to accommodate the world spirit rather than see it crushed. We've wanted to be liked and accepted. We've resisted speaking and preaching about sin, holiness, and yes, hell. We invite people to Jesus Christ, but too often, it's a Christ who bears little resemblance to the Jesus Christ of Scripture. As a result, the darkness has grown, and the rebellion of humankind has grown with it. Hatred has grown in every segment of society, but against the authority and message of Jesus Christ most of all. That's seen in the response of telling people that not only is He the Way, the Truth, and the Life, but the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life. Rebellion is the way of the world right now, and we're seeing it everywhere. So again, how do we respond? I believe there is no answer but to humble ourselves before Him. For us to repent of our own sin, to seek His cleansing of it. All of it. Then, for us to, in holy love, intercede for this lost human race. That He would pour out His grace and His Spirit upon His church and then through His church, minister to a lost world. That we would cry out for a move of His Spirit that crushes the darkness and shines His Light wherever the darkness has reigned. To pray without ceasing until He comes with power, which is the only way He ever comes. We talk much of how God will judge all that we see. We forget that His Word says that judgement begins (always) in and with the House of God....the Church. May we not just rail against the darkness. May we come against it in Holy Spirit Light and power. And.....may we come against it first.....in our own hearts and lives. Blessings, Pastor O