The Issues of Our Day

Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.

– Charles H. Spurgeon

Masks and police won’t fix the issues of our day.

The events of our day seem on the surface to be spiraling out of control. Trial upon trial seem to convulse the nation and even the world. How are we to make sense of all these things? And is there any point of application to the madness we see around us? The Bible should be our guide in trying to answer these types of questions and it is not silent on the issues of our day. It is just as applicable today as it has always been.

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25)

Before you think that is irrelevant please pause to ponder it for a few minutes.

Why is it that there is such a breakdown in the order of society? The Word of God answers this clearly: There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:18)

If people believed “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3) and that “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14) they would view this situation very differently.

You may have seen or heard a phrase being used lately, “No justice, no peace”. The problem is that man uses this with his fellow man but doesn’t consider the same principle with God. In truth, there is no peace between God and man without justice.  “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;” (1 Corinthians 15:3) Why did Christ die? To pay the penalty for the sins of His people. Therefore, justice was served. God poured out the punishment on Christ that was due to those that believe on Him. He was the substitute. Justice was fully served and therefore Christ comes bearing tidings of peace and good news… the gospel of the grace of God… the forgiveness of sins. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5:1)

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:11-14)

Apart from Christ Jesus there is no peace with God and justice is served on the individual on the day of judgment and for all of eternity in hell. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

God’s word speaks to everything that is taking place around us. Thou shalt not kill is clearly relevant. The whole nation is in an uproar because of this commandment and yet they will not acknowledge what God says should be done with murderers. God’s ordained punishment for murderers is death. Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” But man ignores that and says, no, we don’t like that. We think is it more humane to throw murderers in prison for life (or less). Suddenly, “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” becomes very relevant.

By the way, this isn’t a call for vigilante justice. Government is the the one God ordained to punish evil doers. So when the government fails to give the death penalty as a sentence when it is justified or fails to protect citizens it is violating God’s purpose for it.

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Romans 13:3-4).

This does not excuse ungodly actions by government. Government is supposed to submit to the moral law of God just as every individual is. It is supposed to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. When it doesn’t do this it rips apart society rather than help provide an environment where men can live a quiet and peaceable life.

And how about the lives of the unborn? Where is the outrage that the most helpless unborn babies are murdered through abortion? And that some of these aborted babies are used in research?

From an interview between Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Deisher:

Mr. Kennedy was shocked, and stated:

“It’s kind of weird to think that the animal rights activists have more clout with the […] companies than do the anti-abortion activists.”

Dr. Deisher replied:

“They do. And you know what’s really alarming is the lack of outcry over human babies born alive at five to six months old so that their hearts can be obtained beating. And they have to be beating to be used in the research that’s being done.

If the heart has stopped beating, it’s not useful. You cannot use it.

And so these babies are delivered alive, and their hearts cut out without anesthesia.

I wouldn’t do that to a mouse….”

See here for more information.

It is easy focus on what others are doing, but it is much harder to look in the mirror. Christians ought to consider that the state of this nation is a reflection in one degree or another to the state of the professing churches.

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)

Shouldn’t the days in which we live give us pause to consider the hypocrisy in the church, or that flat out apostasy in professing churches brings down judgment upon a land? To sin against light is far worse than to sin in ignorance. Worldliness in the church is far worse than worldliness in the world. Consider what happened to Solomon and then consider churches in America today. Consider the following in spiritual terms as it may be applied to our time:

“But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love…

…For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father…

And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.” (I Kings 11:1-2,4-11)

Modern American churches*, oh what strange women you have loved! Sports and other activities profaning the Lord’s day, false gospels and signs and wonders, speaking in false tongues, women preachers and teachers,  immodest dress, vain (and often evil) entertainments, a forsaking of the moral law (the 10 commandments), modern Bible perversions, church growth movements, man pleasing music, a gospel that lifts up man and puts God down, support for sodomites, and so much more. Compromise, compromise and more compromise for unity, and for ease. You may not agree with all the things I have listed but if you are fair I think you can say that at least a few of them hit home. And if I missed some, and I’m sure I did, then fill in the blank that you know to be there. (*I know there are some faithful churches left across the land. May God sustain and increase them!)

Do we really think God does not see? Do we really think so little of Christ’s blood shed for His people that we can be loose with the things of God? Do we not remember that Christ’s flock is the one, “which he hath purchased with his own blood”? (Acts 20:28)

No surprise then if a nation that forsakes God suffers the same type of judgment given to Solomon or has to go into a Babylonian captivity for its idolatry. “…Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee…”

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” (2 Timothy 4:3)

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:3-4)

J.C. Ryle wrote:
“I must be plain. I fear there are thousands of persons called Christians… They are baptized. They attend the services of their church. They would not on any account be reckoned infidels. But as to true repentance and saving faith, union with Christ and sanctification of the Spirit, they are “names and words” of which they know nothing at all. Examine yourself, then, before this subject is forgotten… If you are not yet forgiven. Then what have you got by your religion? You go to church. You have a Bible, you have a Prayer-book, and perhaps a Hymn-book. You hear sermons. You join in services. It may be you go to the Lord’s Table. But what have you really got after all? Any hope? Any peace? Any joy? Any comfort? Nothing: literally nothing! You have got nothing but mere temporal things, if you are not a pardoned soul.”

Now Let Us Consider Some Words of Encouragement

“Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;” (Psalms 33:18)

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

“And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” (2 Chronicles 26:5)

And consider this prayer of Solomon when he sought the Lord before the days when his wives turned away his heart:

“If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be; What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house: Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive… That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.” (I Kings 37-40)

If you are the Lord’s, then do not fear. Pray that the Lord would revive His people. Pray our hearts would be conformed to His will.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isa 26:3)

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (John 14:1)

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalms 56:3)

Are You Forgiven?

If the Lord Jesus Christ is not your savior then you have everything to fear. The plague of your own heart (your sin) will do far more to you than COVID-19, riots, or wars can ever do. “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:5)

J.C. Ryle notes:
“Let me next give a solemn warning to everyone who reads this paper and knows in his conscience he is not forgiven. Your soul is in awful danger. You may die this year. And if you die as you are, you are lost forever. If you die without pardon, without pardon you will rise again at the last day. There is a sword over your head that hangs by a single hair and you are in fearful danger of hearing on judgment day, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).

“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” (Acts 3:19) “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31) “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:4)

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

May the Lord bless you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If you are seeking peace with God read this.