Do you know what the word "bankrupt" means? I ask this question in order to lead into a thought that has been bouncing around in my head since I read an article in the local paper the other day. I'll see if I can tie the question and my thought together for a short lesson for you to consider today.
The article in the paper was a report about the "bankruptcy" of the Adelphia Cable Co. After reading it, I recalled having seen numerous ads on TV by this company seeking subscribers to their service. My "thought" was: Why would anyone subscribe to a service that is bankrupt? A service provided by a company that is "insolvent" which is the meaning of the word "bankrupt."
We've been studying some of the worlds "false doctrines" in our Wednesday night Bible study and I thought how appropriate the terms "bankrupt" and "insolvent" are to this study. You see, the word "insolvent" means "unable to satisfy claims or discharge liabilities."
When we really think about it, doesn't this fit with the "service" provided by a doctrine that is different from the ONE doctrine given by God, through His Son? We could almost ask my "thought question" in this manner: Why would anyone subscribe to a doctrine (service) that is bankrupt? That is insolvent?
False doctrines are certainly that, bankrupt and insolvent, because they are "unable to satisfy" their claims of being able to save anyone's soul. So I ask it again in this manner, "Why would anyone subscribe to a service that is 'spiritually' bankrupt?" And I guess one answer would be, that the subscribers believe the advertisements because they don't bother to study up on the company.
And then, there are people who don't believe in God at all. At least they claim they don't. They're called "atheists." I have a notice for them. There will come a time when they will believe and when that time arrives, there will be a lot of "OOPSes" heard all over the world. (Rom. 14:11-12 and notice the word "every")
But, here again, I have a question. Why would someone be an atheist? Or, profess to be one anyway? Here is what I believe to be the primary reason and I base my thoughts on several aspects of our society today. I hope that I am able to convey my thoughts here in a way understandable to you readers.
You see, an "atheist" denies the existence of a Divine Supreme Being. Thus, they have no "divine" rules or authority to follow. And, if there are no "divine" rules to follow, then the only rules they have to follow is their own. They don't want to believe in God, otherwise they would have to believe in some Divine Authority.
The "aspects of our society" that I mentioned earlier and that I believe have a bearing on this lesson are as follows. Don't we see society today demanding that we become "more tolerant and accepting" of aberrant behavior? Sadly, we even have some congregations demanding the same thing in regards to the Gospel and how it's preached.
Society seems to be set on defining its' values outside of what God has said in His Word. They want to worship a God of "tolerance." A great example was seen when the Catholic Church "elected" a new Pope. A great number of Catholics were upset over the "election" because they had "hoped" for a Pope who would be more "progressive" than the last one. Progressive in this case means "tolerant" of society's desires. One person even said that she had hoped the new Pope would "OK" same-sex marriages and alternate lifestyles.
You see, a person or a society that wants to set their own rules for human behavior is the same thing as wanting to be God. Therefore, an atheist has no moral conscience to bother him and, of course, no "absolutes" that they would have to abide by. They set their own standards of conduct, and since nothing is absolute, their standards are susceptible to change anytime it's convenient.
And then, to follow this thought on out, if their morals are what they approve of, and their standards are flexible, and since nothing is absolute - then there is no "consequences" to be paid. They are following the same path trod by ancient Israel when The Word says that they "did what was right in their own eyes."
Christians are constantly being told that we should not be so "narrow" in our thinking. We're called "mean-spirited" and "unloving" when we don't conform to society's way of thinking. And sadly again, some are not able to stand these accusations and they feel ashamed. Then they abandon the truth and conform themselves to the world.
Let me just conclude my thoughts on atheism and our societal aspects that relate to it by quoting something said by one of our great "founding fathers," Samuel Adams. When America severed its ties from England and its "monarch," Adams said these words. "Now America has the only one true and rightful Monarch on its throne." (Referring to Jesus Christ) "Without Him now, as a society, we have lost the true God and the true heaven and pretended there is no true judgment or true hell."
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."
Psalm 14:1 (Please read the entire Psalm)
Ron Covey
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