|
Vital
Issues: Changing Times By: Jeff Joyce
To say times are changing is really an
understatement. The world we live in is changing at a
mind-boggling rate. Take technology as an example. The
computer I used to type this article, though the latest
and greatest when I bought it a few months ago, will be
considered a dinosaur in a matter of months when the
next generation of computer chips become available. This
is change for the better of course; who would argue that
a slow computer is better?
Some of the change I see in our world, however, is
not for the better. I’m thinking of the social changes
in our country. Many have been complaining about the
breakdown in the moral fabric of our society. Moral
standards are eroding. We are told that there should be
no standards, that standards or absolutes are old
fashioned and too restrictive, that they inhibit the
evolution of our culture. After all, this is the 90’s.
As an American, this popular thinking gives me serious
concern about the future of our great country. But as a
Christian, it gives me even greater concern about the
future of individuals being affected by this moral
drift.
Most of us look at our neighbors and coworkers as a
moral barometer. We stay within the bounds of what is
socially acceptable or "politically correct,"
as we so often hear. You can see the danger in this if
you think about it for long. With no absolute standard
as a reference, we can justify any lifestyle.
What does God have to say about moral standards and
absolutes? Are there any? I think most of us are aware
that the Bible is filled with God’s Standards—what
He defines as good and what He defines as sin. The Ten
Commandments are the best known examples. They are a
brief overview of what the Bible calls the Law. We are
only fooling ourselves if we think God’s definition of
sin is changing along with our society’s definition.
Human standards change with changing times, but God’s
standards are unchanging. "I the Lord do not
change" (Malachi 3:6). If I am evaluating my life
by current but false standards, where does that leave me
in relation to God?
When we read the Bible, we find out that not only
does God have unchanging standards, but also that we don’t
measure up to them. The following Scripture may shock
you: "The Lord looks down from Heaven on the sons
of men to see if there are any who understand, any who
seek God. All have turned aside, they have together
become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even
one" (Psalm 14:2,3). After quoting this Psalm, the
apostle Paul concludes with the following statement:
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His
[God’s] sight by observing the law; rather through the
law we become conscious of sin" (Romans 3:20).
Clearly what God is telling us is that His Law was not
given to show us how to become righteous, but rather to
provide a standard by which we can measure ourselves.
When we measure ourselves by God’s standard we find
ourselves described by the statements we just looked at
from Psalm 14.
Are we without hope? Are we doomed to be judged for
our sin? The answer is yes—if we ignore God’s view
of us and continue as we are. But listen to what Paul
continues to say: "But now a righteousness from
God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the
Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from
God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who
believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely
by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ
Jesus. God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement,
through faith in His blood" (Romans 3:21-25). Our
situation is not hopeless! God provided a way for us to
be pronounced righteous, a righteousness not of our own
doing, but from God. Is there anything of greater value
in this life than a pronouncement from God that we are
righteous? Despite our best efforts, we cannot live up
to the standards of a holy God because of our propensity
to sin. We shouldn’t look at a changing society if we
want an accurate assessment of how God views us. We must
look to God’s Word for a correct understanding of our
condition.
The righteousness available from God is a gift to be
received by faith. Jesus Christ the Son of God died on
the cross as an atoning sacrifice, a sacrifice to put
away sin. The Bible says that as a result of what Christ
has done, we can be justified (made righteous). Are you
interested? I would like to conclude with a well known
verse: "For God so loved the world that He gave his
one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
|
Recent Additions
If you have any questions, please