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 INTRODUCTION
We often hear it said that 'to err is human' or 'nobody is perfect.’ Although these statements are perfectly true, they are sometimes used as an excuse to justify the failings of our fallen nature. But these shortcomings now have a new ally in the secularist desire to appease our noisy consciences. The systematic 'de-sinning' of human behavior in the west over the past 100 years or so has been progressing at a rapid pace recently, thanks to many of the modern 'mind' sciences that have re-named sin using quasi-medical terms, in the godless pursuit of saving our lazy souls from any effort towards purification.
‘FAST FOOD’ – AN OXYMORON!
Witness the recent suit against the McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's and KFC Corporations, charging these fast food chains with creating ‘addictions’ among patrons. The plaintiff blames them for the two heart attacks he has suffered and for his current afflictions of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems. “I trace it all back to the high fat, grease and salt — all back to McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King — there was no fast food I didn't eat; and I ate it more often than not because I was single, it was quick, and I'm not a very good cook."
'THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT'
Perhaps, just perhaps, there might have been a little of the old fashioned sin of gluttony involved? But to admit that would be too convicting. It is much easier to blame someone else (...and make a little money in the bargain). Waite Phillips made a valid comment in this regard, "A man can fail many times but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame someone else." When we take responsibility for our own behavior, it opens the door for a victorious life.
On a cultural level, much blame for the world's present woes has been placed by the media and politics at the feet of religious fundamentalism. To a degree this is true, but secular fundamentalists are a far greater threat to freedom than all the terrorists that exist!
Perhaps Mark Twain's sardonic wit spoke a truth when he said, "At times it does seem a shame that Noah and his party didn't miss the boat!"
NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN
The sad thing is that there is nothing new, only that which has been forgotten! Our prideful post-modernism is doomed to go the same way as the Dodo bird. Trendy 'broadmindedness' does not essentially differ from the moral declines that have spurred the disintegration of most previous civilizations. Is ours any different? General Douglas MacArthur once said, “History fails to record a single precedent in which nations subject to moral decay have not passed into political and economic decline. There has been either a spiritual awakening to overcome the moral lapse, or a progressive deterioration leading to ultimate national disaster.” Collectively, being human sometimes means we have short memories or selective hearing — one or the other, or maybe both!
TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER
If someone from another planet asked me if I was a human being, I could say, “No! I am not a human being, although right now I am being human!” You see, according to God's word, before I was here, I was hidden in His heart. But from the moment of conception, I actually became a spirit that was given a soul and the body I currently live in. However, this won't be my home forever. When my physical body finally succumbs to the pull of gravity, it will return to the dust it came from and my spirit will return to God, from whom it came. “Remember Him before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." Ecc. 12: 6-7
BEING HUMAN, BEING SAVED!
The purpose of life is to prepare for eternity and that preparation takes place in the soul; it is a life-long process of 'being saved' and purified to resemble the image of Jesus. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor. 1:18
This world and eternity belong to those who realize that they have a responsibility to work on their fallen human nature. They know they are 'being human' right now, but this is not their excuse. They hunger after righteousness, and when that becomes the collective desire of enough individuals, then it transfers to the exultation of a nation — and that can give a small glimpse of heaven here on earth. “ Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34
"It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself." -Thomas Jefferson
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