Thursday, September 9, 2021

A Critical Misdiagnosis

 

One does not have to be a news junky to be aware of the growing lawlessness and corruption that is sweeping across our land.  Open violence that is tolerated by many who advocate reducing police presence in our inner cities is a growing threat to those populations.  Outright lies are being told to influence public opinion on matters dealing with health issues and legitimate treatment options.  Retail outlets in certain parts of our country are facing a wave of theft that is generated by a refusal to prosecute criminal offenders below a certain level.  Parental rights and responsibilities are being undermined by public officials who believe they know better than moms and dads how children should be taught and disciplined.  Efforts are being made to cancel major dimensions of our history, thus preventing future generations from learning the lessons of the past.

What is the source of such aberrant behavior?  Why do humans engage in actions that ultimately harm those they profess to care most about?   What drives powerful people to espouse policies and actions that are detrimental to those they are charged with leading?  Why is our nation divided in a manner not seen since the Civil War? 

The wrong answer to these questions is at the root of what ails America these days.

In May of this year, 1000 Americans were surveyed to determine their worldview.  A key finding of this study revealed that 51% of adults claimed to have a biblical worldview.  But, in actuality, their responses indicated that just 6% actually have one.  A biblical worldview is an outlook that integrates the Christian faith into every dimension of life.  The Bible does not just address how and when we should gather for worship, it provides principles that must govern behavior 24/7.

Among the discoveries of this study is that just 33% of the 51% “believe that human beings are born with a sinful nature and can only be saved from the consequences of sin by Jesus Christ.”  That means that only about 17% of our population recognizes our inherent sinful nature and that the only cure is found in the work of Jesus Christ as Redeemer.

Throughout history, the depravity of the human heart has been on full display.  In the Old Testament era, children were offered as burnt offerings to the heathen god Moloch.  Today they are aborted from the wombs of their mothers in service to the god of personal freedom and convenience.   National leaders in ancient Israel abused their authority, led the nation astray, and brought the crushing judgment of God upon themselves and their people.

Today, we are in danger of suffering a national collapse because our collective conscience fails to recognize the inherent depravity of the human heart which can only be cured by the power of God.  So long as we blame our social ills on educational methodology, or the color of our skin, or the level of the minimum wage, or any other peripheral issue, we will never get to the root of the problem.

We are each born a sinner.  Only the power of the gospel can change the human heart so that one can begin to reflect a lifestyle that honors the God who made us.  As a church, our task is to effectively communicate the gospel message so that individuals can be changed and families can build their lives upon God’s eternal truth.  Any other foundation will crumble over the course of time. 

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