What a Mess!

 

Psalm 3:1-4 Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. 

 

I have talked to many people and I do not know any who look at the world around us today without saying “What a mess”, “It is in sad shape” or “It is a different script than I would have written”. Last Sunday, Dr. Willie Nolte preached a message on this very subject, the reasons why it is happening in our culture and the Christian response to it. He stated two essential truths which are key points to know: (1) straying away from God’s holy and righteous Word, Will and Way, which includes God’s first best plan for personal relationships with God and others will result in chaos, brokenness and heartache in life. Buy, (2) God is sovereign (supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign Ruler of the universe), His grace (the free unmerited love and favor of God) is real, plus restoration and transformation of lives is what God does. 

 

Galatians 5:16-21 tells us, “ Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, drug abuse, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

 

Since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, when sin entered the world, the sinful desires of the fallen flesh tempt and urge the mind to impious, profane, wicked and immoral behavior. Pastor Nolte listed the wrong ingredients for stability, order, blessings and a healthy social life on God’s green earth. There are consequences to our sinful thoughts, evil intentions, damaging words and depraved actions. (1) Unchecked Pride – Proverbs 6:12-19 lists pride at the first abomination to God. (2) Lack of accountability - where they believe that they are not accountable to God or man and can get away with their sin, having no remorse or regret. (3) Taking matters into their own hand and pursuing vengeance. (4) Dishonesty and use of deceit with lies, cheating, deception, mis-direction, hidden agendas, distractions, or distorted half-truths. (5) Withholding grace, mercy and love – that which God is and expects of us towards others.

 

Romans 12:19 “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

 

What a Christian can do right in a wicked and adulterous generation. (1) Stay in the Word of God and the Word of God will stay in you. (2) Put on the full armor of God [Ephesians 6:10-18] and stand firm on the Word, Will and Way of God. (3) Pray for your enemies and do good for them [Matthew 5:44], (4) Refuse a destructive response. No evil for evil or revenge. (5) Be salt and light. Expose sin, call people to godly boundaries, and give the Gospel to a lost and dying world that so desperately needs it. (6) Seek God’s presence and a right relationship with Him [Read Psalm 63]. 

 

Keep going Christian; don’t give up until your cross into glory. If it’s broke, fix it. If it’s a mess, clean it up. Father, my soul shall be satisfied, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

 

Victory in Christ, Brian