Cultural Chaos

Oct 08, 2024
How did our society get to this place? “Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” (Romans 1:29-32 NLT)

These qualities are filling our society, our politics, our entertainment, our news programs, and our conversations. Why is that? Perhaps you could say that all these things are simply the “wrath of God” that has been allowed. You would be right. There have been times when God’s sorrow over the evil in a society has so touched His heart that He simply lifts away His hand of protection and allows people to have what they want. That is where we are today.

This is a downward process that begins when “… that which is known about God …” is pushed aside and ignored. Those who turn away, perhaps even without realizing the consequences, will “… become futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart [will be] darkened. Professing to be wise, they become fools …” (Romans 1:21-22) Again, we might ask, “Why?” They replace God with other ideas or things, giving honor to the creation rather than the Creator!

Three times God’s actions are described. First, “… God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity …” Second, “… God gave them over to degrading passions …” And third, “… God gave them over to a depraved mind …” (Romans 1:24-28). Because they refused Him, He allowed them to pursue what they wanted. And because God’s ways are always for our good and will protect us from evil, when ways other than God’s are employed, the result will be an overwhelming darkness of sin and the deterioration of a society, cultural chaos.

The solution to gun violence and school shootings will not be found in laws or political action. The physical and mental health of children and adults alike will not be found in education or in the medical or psychological professions. The overwhelming lack of trust in anyone, the fear of others, and the skepticism that fills our minds – none of that will be made right by any human agencies.

The answer to evil is exactly where it has always been. God’s intentions are that such evil will drive us back to Him! Quoting from an earlier part of the same chapter I’ve been referring to, “… I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes …” (Romans 1:16). The solution, of course, is for people to turn their hearts, minds, motives, and lives back to God. His ways are always right and always good! In the words of Jesus, “… repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

Christian, pray!