Recently I read a book entitled Fallen: A Theology of Sin by a handful of various contributors. One section of the book, written by D.A. Carson, really stuck with me. Carson's section is titled "Sin's Contemporary Significance". In this section he writes,
"Despite the massive evidence that surround us on every side, many in our generation have come to think of themselves as essentially good people. Pollyannaish outlooks abound. If there are bad things in the world, they are primarily what other people do - other religions, other races, other political parties, other generations, other economic sectors, other subcultures. Doubtless every generation thinks of itself as better than it actually is, but in the Western world this generation has multiplied such moral blindness to the highest degree." Carson helps us understand the state of America right now. We live in a day of extreme violence and wickedness (just watch 30 minutes of CNN today) and yet people will always point to 'someone else' as the problem. This thought process has produced what Carson calls an intolerant tolerance in America. What this means is that our culture encourages us to be tolerant of all belief systems, yet in great irony, when a belief system claims another belief system is wrong, intolerance walks in. We live in a society that has placed tolerance as the supreme god. There is no cultural consensus on right and wrong, good and evil, holiness and sin, because tolerance has been elevated to the highest moral echelon. While these things burden me greatly, I am not surprised. Throughout the Old and New Testaments we see the incredible implications of sin. From Genesis to Revelation it isn't hard to see that because of sin, man's ability to live righteously is not only broken, but absolutely impossible (Jer. 10:7-8, 14; Matt. 15:19). What are we to do in light of this? Christians, we must live lives in a manner worthy of the gospel (Col. 1:10; Eph. 4:1; Phi. 1:27), preach the gospel (Rom. 10:14), and pray for our nation (Joel 3:12). While the world continues to rebel and live in rebellion against God, we must be walking examples of the gospel to bring hope. Unbelievers, repent and believe (Mark 1:15). Trust in Christ. By yourself, you can't and won't change. Place your faith in what Christ has done for you on the cross. I'm praying that God would lead me to greater boldness, love, and brokenness for America. Will you join me?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
About MeI am a Husband to Clarissa, Pastor at Liberty Baptist Church, reader of many books, and tweeter at @brad_merchant. Archives
July 2016
|