A WORLD OF INIQUITY
INTRODUCTION
A World of iniquity begin with Adam and Eve, with its first recorded violence through Cain (Genesis 4:8-9), continuing into the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit, to this day!
Lawlessness (iniquity), prompted by the ungodliness of man, is spreading
its tentacles of deception towards nations once under the influence of God's Word! There is a movement to disarrange the
godliness of man towards acceptance of that which is condemned in God’s Word!
A World of Iniquity
A Global Village
A world of iniquity has been showcased in the Biblical descriptions of the pre-Flood days of Noah, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Babylon the hold of every foul spirit (as previously mentioned)! Has those days risen again? Has that which is forbidden raise its ugly head again? Will God allow its continuation or bring judgment?
An electronic age has brought the world together as never before. It was noted that the new electronic interdependence recreates the world in the image of a global village (Marshall McLuhan). Such, if not properly utilized, can foster the ideal of what occurred in prior times; before demise and destruction came at the hand of God! Has the forsaking of God, and His Word, lifted His umbrella of protection and provision?
Practice Iniquity
(Lawlessness)
A World
of iniquity was noted by the Prophet Micah, who cried out: Woe to them that devise iniquity
(lawlessness), and work (work out) evil upon their beds! When morning is light,
they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand (Micah 2:1)!
There is a great need for
sounding the alarm, to awake one to what is happening in the land; a movement
to enslave the people towards acceptance of ungodliness, an attempt to
suppress the godliness established in the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of
God! The last portion identified by
Micah; it is in the power of their hand, is amply displayed today by those
placed in power to establish laws and rulings to undermine godly principles.
Rejoice not in Iniquity
(Lawlessness)
Apostle Paul wrote: Rejoice not in iniquity (lawlessness) but rejoice in truth (1 Corinthians 13:6). I speak after the manner of men (in human terms) because of the infirmity (weakness) of your flesh; for as you have yielded your members servants (slaves) to unrighteousness and iniquity to iniquity, even so now yield (present) your members to righteousness and holiness (Romans 6:19).
Paul was attempting to set the record straight towards adherence to the Word of God; not vain repetitions of man, towards the unfruitful works of darkness (sinfulness) being presented as truth! There is a deception in the world, and in some instances the church, to enslave one towards acceptance of the previously unacceptable!
A World of Iniquity
Poison of Deceit
Apostle James wrote: The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity (lawlessness), and boasts great things; behold, how great a matter (forest) a little fire kindles (sets on fire) (James 3:6). We are seeing the ungodly forcefully injecting their venomous poison of deceit towards fruition rather than rejection; through seditious prompting until it takes root in the heart of those ignorant to their devices!
We are seeing changes, supposedly for the betterment of mankind, coming forth that would suppress the godliness of man! When the news media becomes bias in its reporting; social media being of a greater influence than the truth, with an audience receptive to such pampering, it enhances a world of iniquity!
Lodging of Wicked
Thoughts
Prophet Jeremiah cried out: O Jerusalem, wash your heart from wickedness, that you may be saved, How long shall your vain (wicked) thoughts lodge with you (Jeremiah 4:14)? It was noted that such thinking can arise from many sources: Absorbing immoral movies and television; carelessly surfing the Internet; listening to malicious talk; ignoring the Word of God; giving into a materialistic worldview!
It was noted that it had to be difficult for Jeremiah always having to be the bearer of bad news, and always being rejected. Jeremiah was continually mocked by the people for bringing nothing but words of condemnation. Jeremiah's words enraged the people. He challenged their social and moral behavior. He held his ground and was not afraid to give them unpopular criticism.
Today there are those who are giving humanity's vilest nature what they want to hear, justification to do exactly as they please with no regard to a day of reckoning. In a world of iniquity we are seeing an interweaving of a little of the truth to offset the falsehoods being proclaimed.
Lack of Shame
A World of iniquity sees recognition being given to ungodly virtues of man; that once would have been of a reproach or shame, but now embraced as acceptable with pride and openly proclaimed! The Prophet Jeremiah, in speaking the Word of the Lord, said: Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, neither should they blush; therefore they shall fall among them that fall; at the time that I visit (punish) them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord (Jeremiah 6:15).
Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls, but they said, we will not hearken. I set watchmen over you, saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet (given warning), but they said we will not hearken.
After further warning then came pronounced judgment by God: Hear, O earth (a world of iniquity), I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened to my words, nor to my law, but rejected it (Jeremiah 6:16-19). How long will God delay judgment towards a world that is gaining in intensity towards the ungodliness of man rather than the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God?
Efforts to Normalize
Sexual Immoral Activity
It was noted that the ongoing efforts of the sinful world has sought to normalize all sexual activity identified by the Bible as sexually immoral. Nevertheless, Biblical standards of sexual morality are given by God. We are to recognize and honor this by sexually moral living.
We live in a fallen world that seeks to gratify and accommodate sins that would not have even been discussed previously! Congregations and denominations may teach that Biblical prohibitions against ungodly activity are cultural and not a commandment; cultures and convictions may change but God’s Word does not!
Outwardly Appear
Religious
Jesus said: You (religious of His day) outwardly appear righteous unto men but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity (lawlessness) (Matthew 23:28). Because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax (grow) cold (Matthew 24:12). It was noted that Christians in America, and in other similarly free nations, can be thankful they live relatively free from persecution.
Nevertheless, the increasing hostility toward Christians in Western nations may be a sign of worse times to come. As the Western nations move steadily toward living entirely by secular values, God’s Word is cast aside! In a world of iniquity a genuine Christian, living a godly life, professing the name of Christ, will stand out in an increasingly hostile world.
Mercy or Wrath
The Prophet Hosea, in speaking the words of the Lord, said: Israel, return to the Lord your God, for you have fallen by your iniquity (lawlessness) (Hosea 14:1). A receipt for return has been provided by God: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways (a world of iniquity), then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
It was noted that while this promise was originally given to King Solomon regarding the people of Israel it is certainly applicable to all who will call on the name of the Lord in repentance and faith! Failure to do is also noted: But if you turn away and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; then will I pluck you up by the roots out of my land which I have given you, and this house (temple), which I have sanctified (set apart) for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations (2 Chronicles 7:19-20).
Hope and Assurance
Scripture reveals: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (the Lord Jesus Christ), that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). He that believes on him is not condemned; but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:17).
A world of iniquity would draw one away from such a hope and assurance; however, cleaving to Jesus as Lord and Savior, will ensure a heavenly gain! Jesus said: I stand at the door (of one's heart) and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door (only you can), I will come into to him, and will sup (dine) with him, and he with me (Revelation 3:20)!
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