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Nation's Decline in Moral Conduct XIII
Nation’s Decline in Moral Conduct: XIII
As we look at the world about us, we cannot be blind to the fact that our society is changing. I recall when my father said to me “our nation has already seen its better days.” That was forty-five years ago, and since that time there has been a downward trend in national virtues: immorality has flourished. What was once intolerable became acceptable, once accepted it became tolerable, and once tolerable those who practice immorality are now forcing their lifestyles on the rest of the nation, even to the point of forced submission.
One of the questions the morally upright must ask is, “How should we respond to the changes in our society?”
In response to such, some have formed political parties and use the power of their religious organization to support their opposition. Some resort to violence, physically and verbally, while others form communes and/or adequately isolate themselves from the world. As we consider these responses, which do we take? The answer: none of the above.
So, what are we to do? The Lord, in the Sermon on the Mount, said, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do [men] light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew
In this, we find that neither the Lord, nor the Apostle Paul joined a political party of the day to promote the gospel and battle the ills of society. Neither did the Lord, nor the Apostle Paul isolate themselves from the world, but rather went into the world that the eyes of the lost might be opened, “that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith” (Acts 26:18) in Christ.
We are living in a changing world, and the wheels of perversity and immorality are picking up speed: what will you do?
It’s not uncommon for individuals to view the religious landscape from a subjective point of view. Evaluation is made and the individual comes away with the same conclusion stated by Elijah, saying, “”I have been very jealous for Jehovah, the God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kgs. 19:14). Although Elijah’s view was not the reality, it was, nonetheless, to him. Whatever your view, of the religious landscape of society, do not lose heart. The “angel of the church in Sardis,” said to the faithful among them, “But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels” (Revelation 3:4-5). Strive to sojourn in the tabernacle of Jehovah and dwell in His holy hill. ret
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