Condemned, Condoned or Confused?
Introduction
The final authority for the Christian Faith is the Bible, the Word of
God. All belief and behaviour is to be tested against this
touchstone. To the law and to the
testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because
there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20). The 'laissez faire' -
that is, 'anything goes' attitude of the world is thus not an option
for the Christian. Christians are exhorted to be
not conformed to this world but... transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and
perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). Anything which is condemned
by the Word of God is to be utterly rejected, and everything which is
commended and commanded by the Word of God is to be received and obeyed.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 exhorts us to Prove
(or test) all things. By what criterion and standard though
do we test everything? By what God says in His Word.
In the following pages we will look at some prominent features of our
contemporary society in the light of God's infallible Word. When we
do so, sadly, we will see that it is often weighed
in the balances, and ... found wanting (Daniel 5:27). This
being so, is the situation hopeless? The answer is a resounding
'No!'. For the same Scripture...
given by inspiration of God which is
profitable for doctrine and reproof
is also profitable for correction
and for instruction in
righteousness that the man of God may be perfect...
(2 Timothy 3:16, 17). In other words, the same Bible
which teaches us God's way also teaches us where we have strayed from
God's way and how we can return to God's way and stay and progress on
God's way until we need the Bible no more, that is, until we reach
heaven itself, eternally saved by God's grace and in no further need
of reproof, correction and instruction.
Let us then now consider some prominent aspects of our modern world
in the light of God's Word. In doing so, we have nothing to fear, for
God's way is always best. It has been well said: 'For best results,
follow the Maker's instructions.' God, our Maker's way, as revealed
in His Word, is the only way to true happiness, peace and eternal
life. Only the Bible can make us truly wise, as only the Bible can
impart the wisdom of God.
Happy is the man that findeth
wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise
of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof
than fine gold ... Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her
paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon
her: and happy is every one that retaineth her (Proverbs 3:13,
14, 17, 18).