Last week in this column I said that the question of judgement predominates in the articles on the website. In that respect it follows the writings of the biblical prophets. The reason it predominates on the website is quite simply because our nation currently stands under a severe word of judgement. A question which has arisen on numerous occasions is, “Well, Bob, what should we do about it? Do we just sit and look glum?” That’s a crucial question, and I’m happy to venture the beginnings of a reply.
A word of judgement is God’s warning response to persistent ungodly lifestyle, whether personal or national. When it is national Christians cannot self righteously exempt themselves from the demand to turn from ungodliness to godliness. They should be the first to take heed to the warning and make sure they are really living as God requires of them. The probability is that in a society that is under reproach Christians will have taken on something of the lifestyle of that society and will be more tarnished than they realize. The call to repent must indeed be heard, as some frequently point out, in the “House of God”. The word of judgement in the land means a tightening up of the belt for all, not least for those whose calling as Christians is to wear a “belt of righteousness”. A word of judgement is a profound call to holiness among the saints. There is no more important call for Christians at the moment. It is a time to turn firmly and deliberately against the prevailing tide of self seeking and “do as you please”, not by condemning others nor by a “holier than thou” attitude but by quality living.
Where is that tightening up likely to be? John the Baptist points the way: “if you have two coats give one away.” That is pointing to a re-appraisal of a lifestyle based on possessions and the desire for more and more. “Bigger and better”, “more profit”, “excessive, debt ridden lifestyles” are pathways to disaster, not life. Life is not built on getting, but on giving. It is this rampant deep-dyed self-centred culture of our society that is likely to be rubbing off on us without our realizing it.
As a society we are not only debt ridden but sex ridden. To keep “clean” has to be a major aim for Christians. The promiscuity and adultery, and the pornography are of Tsunami proportion; it is crucial to gain higher ground. “Watch out!” “Keep away!” is the judgement challenge, and it is here in a major way.
I’ll probably have to continue this at some point with other reasons!
Bob
To make a comment: click on word “comments” below, write your comment in the white box which appears and add your name and e mail address (if you wish), choose “select profile”, click “anonymous” and then continue
A word of judgement is God’s warning response to persistent ungodly lifestyle, whether personal or national. When it is national Christians cannot self righteously exempt themselves from the demand to turn from ungodliness to godliness. They should be the first to take heed to the warning and make sure they are really living as God requires of them. The probability is that in a society that is under reproach Christians will have taken on something of the lifestyle of that society and will be more tarnished than they realize. The call to repent must indeed be heard, as some frequently point out, in the “House of God”. The word of judgement in the land means a tightening up of the belt for all, not least for those whose calling as Christians is to wear a “belt of righteousness”. A word of judgement is a profound call to holiness among the saints. There is no more important call for Christians at the moment. It is a time to turn firmly and deliberately against the prevailing tide of self seeking and “do as you please”, not by condemning others nor by a “holier than thou” attitude but by quality living.
Where is that tightening up likely to be? John the Baptist points the way: “if you have two coats give one away.” That is pointing to a re-appraisal of a lifestyle based on possessions and the desire for more and more. “Bigger and better”, “more profit”, “excessive, debt ridden lifestyles” are pathways to disaster, not life. Life is not built on getting, but on giving. It is this rampant deep-dyed self-centred culture of our society that is likely to be rubbing off on us without our realizing it.
As a society we are not only debt ridden but sex ridden. To keep “clean” has to be a major aim for Christians. The promiscuity and adultery, and the pornography are of Tsunami proportion; it is crucial to gain higher ground. “Watch out!” “Keep away!” is the judgement challenge, and it is here in a major way.
I’ll probably have to continue this at some point with other reasons!
Bob
To make a comment: click on word “comments” below, write your comment in the white box which appears and add your name and e mail address (if you wish), choose “select profile”, click “anonymous” and then continue
Posts
