Thoughts from The Bible

Thoughts from the Bible

Wednesday, 24 February 2021 09:11

Jesus is the answer to a permissive society: part two
by Terry Broome

The Christian religion is the only acceptable alternative to our present moral predicament. The greed, covetousness, selfishness, and sensuality of our day are all once and forever remedied by a careful application of those sacred principles set forth in God’s Word. Christ has offered an alternative to the stranglehold of sin.

What a difference He can make in our lives! Titus 3:3-5: “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love; of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; +which was shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”

God’s Word has the power for changing one’s perspective and melting one’s heart. Instead of feeding upon the standard fare of American minds so evident in R-rated movies, we ought to be dwelling upon things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, (Philippians 4:8).

Peter admonishes us to “no longer…live…in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (I Pet. 4:1-4). He warns us that the world may think us strange for not running with them “to the same excess of rioting,” but that we must look in view of pending judgment. We must arm ourselves with the same mind (i.e. willing to suffer) that Christ manifest.

Many, however, who claim to be “Christians” are failing to offer the world an alternative to sin. Religious people too often fail to live on a higher level than non-religious people. In 1835, the Frenchman, Alexis de Tocqueville visited this country and then wrote a massive study of American life. He concluded: “There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America….America is great because America is good, and if America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.”

It’s alarmingly possible that America is no longer as good or as great as she thinks she is! It’s time to make America good again, and to do this we must get back to our roots, to that Eternal One whose Truths were the foundation upon which this great nation was laid. We must restore creation to our thinking about origins.

et’s restore the dignity of man as one “made in the image of God.” Restore sacredness to life whether in the womb or in the nursing home. We must restore respect for the Bible as the inspired word of God. Let’s restore Christian decency to entertainment practices. Let’s build a nation of Christian homes where special interest groups will not presume to invade Christian family values.

Our country needs a religious restoration. He who sits as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, must again be restored to His place of rightful respect in the minds and hearts of those who rule in high places. Indeed, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Jesus is the hope of any nation to be able to change her ways and be blessed by God. Jesus is the answer to the sin problem of our permissive society.

The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.