One of my very good friends, from way back during my high school days, posed a sophisticated question on Facebook this evening. I told her that I would give her an answer to her question in this. She actually helped me out to write a blog today; as I try to submit one blog for everyday of the week. In a nutshell, my friend's question asked,"Why is there so much violence, racism, malice, deceit, hatred, robbery, jealousy (and the list goes on) in a world that teaches that life is supposed to be precious?" There are many ways to answer this question, but there are three levels in which I will deal with this question. The first manner in which I will answer this question is from the perspective of what, we call in the seminary, "social sin." The second way I will answer this question is dealing with the false teaching of the world, and even sometimes the church, that believes and teaches that life is supposed to be precious. Lastly, I will deal with "hedonism" to answer her question. I am not an expert on the "why" of this question, but I am well studied in this area.
Racism, violence, robbery, and drug addiction that we observe in our neighborhoods are a result of social and political sins. Social and political sins are a direct result of politicians' and world leaders' greed and quest for power, respect money, and position. Because many politicians seek power and position, drugs, violence, theft, and other addictions, most of the time infests a society. In other words, many politicians do not put healthy and clean grocery stores into low income neighborhoods, health clinics are low budget and poorly staffed, and politicians bring in more fast food restaurants into neighborhoods because they know that low income families will not purchase more expensive food. They do this because they play the role as if they are doing something good, but at the end of the day, it is bad. The bottom line is as a result of poor politicians, politicians do not hire qualified and moral staff that will cure the disease of poverty, obesity, drug use that causes crimes. These are social sins. Social sins are the product and result of why people do not have the power to help themselves by means of education, money, and employment. Drug addicts do not know any other way of living because they are a product of their upbringing. Money is not given to them, mentally imbalanced people are walking the streets when they are supposed to be in mental institutions; lack of health care. So as a result, these mentally insane people that are poor do not have health care rob stores, steal cars, and murder for drugs; or because they are on drugs. Social sins do not have a cure. The government fosters this behavior, and unfortunately no one can do anything about social sin because social sins are caused by corrupt powers and principalities.
The second part of the answer to this question is the false reality that the world teaches, and sometime, unfortunately, the church: this false teaching states that life is supposed to be precious. From a biblical perspective, if there were no suffering, we would all be in heaven. Remember the Bible states that, Jesus will wipe every tear from the eyes of His people, no more hunger, no more thirst, and no more worries (this is stated in the book of Revelation 21. 4). This only takes place when we all get to heaven. Remember, Jesus suffered and received the highest honor of sitting at the right of God the Father. I often become frustrated with many pastors that preach a gospel to the church that implies and sometimes explicates that Christians are not supposed to suffer or suffering will only last for a certain period of time. That is a lie from the pit of hell. We are supposed to suffer in order to receive our heavenly reward and crown. There are three crowns that are rewarded for our suffering and the endurance of our faith: the crown of glory, crown of righteousness, and the crown of life. All of these crowns are what Christians receive because of their endurance of trial and tribulations. If we are to be Christ-like, then we must suffer. One cannot be Christ-like unless he/she suffers. Therefore, the universe is precious because God created it, but the experiences of life cannot be always precious; although we try to make the best of our challenging circumstances and situations. Life is only precious when you have eternal life, because eternal life gives us the everlasting truth that Christ will take away all of the bad when Satan is eternally thrown into the lake of fire.
The last part of this question deals with hedonism. Hedonism is the quest to please one's senses; in other words it is gratifying sensual pleasures. Hedonism literally influences and steers everything in our society. Hedonism drives Las Vegas, Hollywood, the porn industry, all secular music, and all entertainment. Hedonism promotes and assists the appealing nature of all seduction. Think about it: Burger King,"Have it Your Way," Nike,"Just Do It," and there are many more that I could name, but the issue with hedonism is the fact that the Bible translates the Greek word hedone as lust. Hedone is a derivative of the word hedonism which is lust for self and personal pleasure. Money, Sex, and Magic, are three examples of Hedonism. Hedonism promotes self and does not promote one to live a life that is led by the Holy Spirit, so when someone is not led by the Holy Spirit in all of their ways, they gain a desire to live out what the world promotes as "hedonism." Hedone is translated as lust or pleasure in the Bible, specifically in James 4.3. But James 4.4 says that to be friends with the word means to hate God. If you hate God, and is a friend of sex outside of marriage, smoking and drinking alcohol to become drunk or high, a friend of seeking to gain earthly riches, a friend of any lust, you are actually a God hater. This is the Biblical reality that all Christians should must adhere.
I could go deeper into the question, but these three explanations are what causes robbery, hatred, jealousy, drug addiction and many other wicked behaviors that Christians should seek the Lord to deliver from their lives. Christ is seeking a church without spot, blemish, or wrinkle, and these sins are the wrinkles and blemishes that cause our society to be perceived as an evil place. This is not only a perception, but it is a reality. The reality is that you are able to live holy and righteous and be delivered from wickedness.
Unfortunately, life will not be truly precious until Christ comes back. The world will not face this reality because they do not have the Holy Spirit. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God; it is foolish to them (1 Cor. 2.14). You can overcome the forces of the world and the false teachings and philosophies of the world. You can pray, fast, and ask God for wisdom and He will direct your paths; free of charge. You can overcome your worries, anxiety, and misunderstandings about the world. God is sovereign and our society is only going to get worse. It has to get worse because Jesus Christ says that when things get worse they are the birth pains of His arrival for His church! Jesus is coming back people of God, and we must prepare ourselves by daily prayer; daily fasting; and more time spent in prayer. You will not be able to see and understand what I am saying unless you pray more to Jesus Christ!
I pray this gives you some clarity! God bless you and until next time!
In Christ,
Pastor Donald W. Williams II, Servant of the Lord
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