New year, same promise

In an increasingly degenerate world, it’s easy to become disheartened. In our lifetimes, our society has legally (though not morally) redefined the ancient, God-ordained institution of marriage to the point of absurdity: the idea that two men or two women, sexually incompatible and unequipped to create life with each other, can call themselves married. The legal sanctioning of threesomes isn’t far behind. Before we leave this earth, we might even witness a shameless public push to lower the age of consent so that adults can “marry” prepubescent children.

Speaking of children, the exploitation of these vulnerable people who depend on adults for protection will grow worse. Impressionable souls “confused” about their sexuality are encouraged to wallow in depravity. The neglect of children continues as the two-parent family erodes. Too many are raised without resident, biological fathers to love them and to fend off predators. Unborn babies are slaughtered in the womb every day for convenience—almost a sacred rite for the “my-body-my-choice” crowd. Parents who give birth to a baby born with defects can sue for “wrongful birth” and receive millions in damages for their disappointment.

Along with various social pathologies, we have a government—supported by the fruits of our labor—that continues to practice racial discrimination, this time in the name of diversity rather than superiority. Half a century after the nation embarked on a passionate quest to eradicate government-mandated racial segregation, America is more race-focused than ever.

As sure as death and taxes, things are going to get worse. The apostle Paul spoke of the ungodliness of this age in his second epistle to Timothy:

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”

“Always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” These words were true before we existed and will remain true long after we’ve returned to dust. Though we might become discouraged, every believer has a commission to warn, to witness, and to make disciples. The wind of decay swirls around us. We can pray for revival, but the world will remain fallen.

On this first day of 2014, let’s recommit to the Great Commission and strengthen our faith in Christ. As Paul said in Ephesians, we believers have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. We’re blessed with the security of salvation, a future inheritance of eternal life with God. This alone should give us the courage we need to slog through the cultural morass as God grows His kingdom.