Conflict in Culture

‘Time in the Word’ By Clayton Adams

America is being divided by political wars between Democrats and Republicans.

Our government is devolving into self-destructive arguments and the harshness, cruelty and lies increase with every election. This is destroying our nation.

We, “the people” are witnessing our nations destruction and are willing to give anyone and everyone a try at leading, governing and managing our nation. Every part of our American culture is being compromised; commerce, government, faith, education and even our medical system is close to being broken. Our freedoms of religion, press, speech, to bear arms (own guns), due process are all under attack, severely limited or being incrementally taken away.

We live in confusing times.

The Bible gives many warnings and signs to watch for and heed. The Bible can also serve as a guide through confusing times. An uncertain future is nothing to fear, so long as we know it is coming and know what to do.

A few of the warnings and signs include: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools…” (Romans 1:2-22).

Jesus speaks directly to this issue of being confused and misled, “…See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am the Christ, and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end…Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:4-6, 11).

From the Old Testament we read, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for better!

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!” (Isaiah 5:20-23).

To illustrate this confusion, consider Pilate, the Roman ruler who stood between Jesus and the angry crowd. Pilate admits to the crowd that Jesus has done nothing to be arrested, tried or punished, but the pressure mounts, Pilate is confused, listening to the leaders of the Jews who wanted Jesus dead, Pilate disregarded the advice of his wife to let Jesus go. Pilate gives in to the angry crowd.

Against his own conviction, against what he knew to be right, Pilate sent Jesus to be crucified on the Cross (John chapters 18-19). Pilate gave up his leadership, trust and soul by betraying Jesus.

Many of our leaders today have given up their leadership, trust and souls to grab what they cannot keep.

Are we any different than Pilate? We stand before what we know is right and what we know to be wrong.

We stand before a clamoring confused culture that is screaming, demanding more… more what? We are drugging, drinking, eating and indulging ourselves into oblivion. What once was wrong and even illegal is now “right” and legal.

Leaders in every area deny the Bible, God, Jesus, sin, hell, heaven and self-control in favor of self-expression, pursuit of satisfaction. The “wise” have now become foolish.

How can we live in a culture so desperately sick?

Is there a cure, a balm, a salve, a healing agent to use? There is. The Bible offers many guidelines and practices, which, if followed can save people, generations and nations – they can save you, your family, your friends, even the strangers in your life.

A few guidelines in the Bible that can put us back on solid ground include: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We are all sinners, including myself. Never look at anyone and condemn them for their sin, it’s not our position to condemn or to judge.

Honestly, the older I become and recognize my failures and sin the greater compassion I have for others and their struggles.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). I am glad God demonstrated His love first through His Creation then by His Son, Jesus.

There is a cost to sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). There is a cost to doing as we please and turning away from God.

When Pilate stood before the clamoring crowd to deliver Jesus up for crucifixion there were the religious and political leaders adding fuel to the fire. The political and religious leaders were afraid of losing their influence, power and money – not any different than many of our leaders today.

We shouldn’t be so hard on Pilate; we know how easy it is to fall into the trap of focusing on the “here and now.” I have, sometimes I feel sorry for myself, compare myself to others, feel cheated and even lonely. In these moments I (we) must be careful to take these feelings and place them under the Word of God. Consider some Scriptures that may help when caught between the clamoring crowd and our feelings.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:9-10).

Like the old saying, I’d rather go to church with hypocrites than to hell with them.

Confess your sin to Jesus, He is always listening. If it is a repetitive sin, a vice, lurid thoughts, ask a confidant to help in your time of weakness. This is what Christians are supposed to do.

“Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound” (Romans 5:20). To anyone who believes that one sin or another is unforgivable, unconquerable, or worse than any other sin – there is only one sin that is not forgivable, Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit as Jesus said in Mark 3:28-29. All other sins are forgivable! All other sins are forgivable! Sure, there are consequences but God does not hold our sin over us – He forgives! God does not judge the sin He forgives.

And provides a way of escape from our temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13). Look to the future and keep your eyes on the prize – eternity with Jesus in heaven.

There is a day coming when every person shall stand before God to give an accounting, “…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, those who eagerly await Him” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Do you find yourself “eagerly awaiting” for Jesus to return? If not, would you like to look forward to His return?

Consider this, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed” (Romans 10:9-11).

Lord, I confess my sin before you, forgive me. Help me to overcome my battles with your Word, your Spirit and your Son, Jesus Christ.

I believe your Son Jesus Christ is the door to Heaven and to You. Help me live my life for you and not for myself. Amen.

Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. E-mail him at claytonpadamslll@gmail.

com.