In the days of old, the Bible tells us, And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  Such evil continued until God had to destroy with the flood the evil perpetrated by man. In other words, the world was condemned by sin and the consequence was death, and it remains the consequence.

Even after the flood, the offspring of Noah and his sons returned to sin and Jesus Christ came into the world to bring man back to God.  One commentator has written that “Man's deeds are the natural, external expressions of what is already going on in his "heart"” (The Living Word Commentary Series).  Proverbs 23:7 says, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Jesus said in Matthew 15:11, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then in verse 18: But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Jesus makes it clear that what is in the heart is what defiles human beings.

In this day and age, we see and hear evil at every turn. A rogue prosecutor lied and caused the conviction of honest men who were doing their jobs protecting the nation. Another one lied and withheld evidence which has resulted in the lives of young men being ruined. (They are only guilty of sinful behavior, not a punishable crime by statute in this case.) The television screen is filled with vile and wicked scenes, while foul language pours from the speakers.

The Constitution of the United States protects free speech and that includes the preaching of the gospel and all that it contains. Yet, ungodly politicians are attempting to create laws which will eventually make the preaching of the gospel a hate crime when the statements of the Bible are used to show that homosexuality is a sin. They are egged on by the ungodly (and the ignorant) who are trying to escape God and the guilt of their sin. Why are people pandering to less than 5% of the population and why do they condone the sin they practice without shame? (What you just read could well be called a hate crime if they are successful with banning part of the gospel message.)

Paul wrote to Timothy about those who want to teach and know nothing of what they say. He is referring to those who willfully subvert the gospel, but the principle in the verse will apply to the world today. Let’s begin in 1Timothy 1: 5-10: Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10  For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;  Paul makes in plain that the law (Old Testament) is good but it was limited in that it couldn’t remit sins. His message is that men will ignore the righteousness demands of the law and ignore their own unrighteousness which is seen in the evil they do, and which is pointed out by the law. The sins listed in the verse are seen in the land and the world today and they are being glorified contrary to sound doctrine and the truth.

There is no doubt that wickedness and evil abound. But someday God will bring it to an end. Jesus said, Matthew 25:41, Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:  He is speaking of those who turn away and will not obey God, choosing to live a life of wickedness and evil. The content of the heart is very evident.

But take heart fellow Christians, all of you who are being persecuted, silenced, and vilified, for here is the message of Paul to all believers 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10  When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Now to conclude with Romans 12:18: 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. The wicked and evil in the land are doomed just as in the days of Noah. Amen.

© 03-03-2007 DEC 

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