Sermon on Isaiah 5:20

 

 

    In , we read, "Woe unto them who call evil good and good evil."  However, like most other instructions in the Bible, society, in general, ignores this divine condemnation. There is an effort to rename all sorts of sins trying to make them more "respectable."  For example, the evil of premarital, and extramarital sex is widely accepted as normal in our "enlightened" society. I am told, "Lighten up Toby, that's just how it is these days!" However, the Bible still calls it "sin." Since it is sin, it must be repented of before God will forgive the sinner (Luke 13:5). Furthermore, giving consent to sin is to make one's self guilty of the same (Romans 1:32).

    Social drinking is common among many who claim to be Christians. It is proclaimed that the Bible condemns drunkenness, but a little drinking is okay.  The same passage that condemns drunkenness also condemns adultery, homosexuality, stealing, etc. (1Corinthians 6:9-10).  If a "little" drinking is okay, then so is a "little" adultery, a "little" homosexuality, a "little" stealing, etc.  A homosexual claims that God does not condemn homosexuality, only the "abuse" of homosexuality. If that be the case, then God does not condemn stealing, only the "abuse" of stealing; He does not condemn adultery, only the "abuse" of adultery.

    Another evil that is being called good is the sin of indifference. "Just don't bother me. I'm comfortable just the way I am!"  Our Lord condemned the church at Laodicea because they were "indifferent / lukewarm."  They approached Holy and Sacred things in a much too mediocre way, and had a far too "casual" approach to Christianity (Revelation 3:15-16). Jesus encouraged (warned), them to, "be zealous and repent," (Revelation 3:19), or He would no longer consider them His church.

    While these and many other things go against the grain of modern societal thinking, still, they are truths that must be dealt with if one has any expectation of being saved by Jesus Christ (cf. Hebrews 5:9).  Looking at today's society, we don't have wonder why Jesus said, "Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14).        Toby Miller