“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
II Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
Repeating History
As Christian men who have gone through the MD5 process we are not surprised by our world not turning to Jesus. Paul wrote to the church at Rome and referred to one of the most immoral societies in History.
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” Romans 1:22-25 (ESV)
Still Relevant
No doubt every generation of believers thought these verses by Paul were just as relevant to their generation as the first century church. What is surprising, however, is how Christians have been falling in line with our culture in politics, COVID-19, entertainment, language, etc.
The Truth
Over the past few weeks, my pastor has been preaching through the book of Judges. I personally always wondered how the Israelites could be so foolish in how they adopted the Canaanite practices that God had warned them about previously.
Not anymore! ...Are we any different in our own society?
A Few Examples
They practiced child sacrifice to Molech -
Abortions abound today.
They participated in sexual rituals to Baal and Ashtoreth -
The Pornography industry nets more revenue than all major professional sports combined, human sex trafficking is growing, and sexual promiscuity is pervasive in our entertainment.
Faith in Man vs. God
Everyone knows about Samson who was a terrible judge, but do we know about Othniel who served God faithfully and was the best judge in the book of Judges? The Israelites put their faith in themselves and society around them rather than God.
Are we any different?
Are we blending into society too much?
Are we trusting in our secular society and each other more than God?
You Can Trust God's Word
The Bible does not have specific instructions regarding certain things like the pandemic, but it does provide instructions for how we as Christians should conduct ourselves in everyday life.
The Bible has more outside proof of its' truth in other historical sources, archeology, and copies available than any book in antiquity. There is no close second! There has not been one archeological discovery that has disproven anything in the Bible to date.
Yet American Christians today are very biblically illiterate. We go to other sources of information rather than God's word.
The Goal
May we, as Christian men...
Devote time each day to not just read the Bible but study the Bible and pray to our Heavenly Father continually.
Teach the word of God to our children and grandchildren.
Love our neighbor.
Repent of our sin.
Speak truth in love.
Disciple our children.
Love our wives sacrificially.
Sharpen and be sharpened by other men of faith.
Admit when we are wrong.
Above All Else
May we grow more deeply in love with Jesus Christ and emulate Him above anyone else. Be like the men...
“Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.” I Chronicles 12:32 (ESV)
John Gore
MD5 Facilitator
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