For a few weeks now I have been stunned and saddened by the news. Evil overwhelms us at a rapid pace and the world seems so chaotic. I have had writer’s block, trying to process my thoughts and emotions, looking to the Lord for truth. There is so much white noise coming from the media. What is happening in the world today as far as homosexual sin itself is nothing new and has been around since almost the beginning (Genesis 19:4-5; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:24-28). The sanctioning of gay marriage in society is what has Christians turned on our heads because we see something immoral being forced upon us.

I turned on the television Friday morning to a local news station and my heart sank as I watched less than a dozen celebrate at their LGBT headquarters over the legalization of gay marriage. I was genuinely disturbed by what I saw. It isn’t just the breakdown of society as we know it that breaks my heart, but the individuals I saw rejoicing in their sin. I saw their faces, their souls. I cried later that day for the lost. There is so much blindness and darkness it grieves me to watch it play out on a national platform.

Christians should now be responding with compassion toward those who rebel against God, and hate Him. We speak the truth in love, but also with conviction. They need the Gospel message just like everyone else, because we too were once dead in our sins. Pray for redemption, salvation by grace through belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Weep over our country and how God is dishonored. The current events should not surprise us, however. Jesus warned His disciples of what life would be like in the last days:

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:10-14 NIV).

The nation shakes their fists at the Savior I love and want nothing to do with Him. I heard a sermon recently that reminded me why unbelievers hate God. It comes down to authority and accountability. If you are a Christian, you know Who your authority is and Who you serve, God Almighty. We know we are held accountable for our actions, good or bad. Unbelievers are too, and it will all come to a head on Judgment Day.

The sermon was from Luke 5:17-26, when Jesus healed a man who was paralyzed. Jesus was teaching in a crowded house, and the Pharisees were there. When friends of the paralyzed man lowered him into the house from the roof right in front of Jesus the Bible says He saw their faith and said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20 NIV). Of course this did not sit well with the Pharisees and they began thinking to themselves of his blasphemy, knowing that only God alone can forgive sins. Two things here (maybe three): The Pharisees were correct in believing that only God can forgive our sins. Also, Jesus was stirring up the waters by claiming He could forgive sins. He essentially was declaring right there that He had authority and that He was the Son of God. If Jesus were just a mere man, this would have been crazy talk. The other thing is this- Jesus knew their thoughts. He knew what was in their hard hearts and confronted them on it. The Son of God says, “Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” [He said to the paralyzed man,] “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home” [Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God]” (Luke 5:23-25 NIV; italics mine).

If Jesus has the authority to absolve my sin, then I have to acknowledge that I have sin to start with, and that I must answer to Him. Those who rebel against God would rather wallow in what they want and to control their own lives and answer to no one. They think this satisfies, and it might for a season. But only God alone can be our ultimate Satisfaction. Unbelievers keep seeking to fulfill the flesh without long- term success. Ultimately, this will kill because “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NIV).

To the unbeliever, how long will you run from the Eternal God? Will you forever rebel in your sins? God can handle your mess and redeem it. He can take your brokenness and restore it with everlasting joy. I promise. I can say these things with full confidence because it is what He has done for me. The Lord Himself promises what He will do in His Word.

We need the Lord desperately in these last days. To the Christian, this is a call to persevere and stand firm in the faith. Believers are the heirs of salvation, friends of God, sheep of His pasture, slaves to righteousness, warriors of faith. Know what God’s Word says and hold your ground. Cling to Him. Pray. Fast. Read the Scriptures and see the work of God displayed on every page. Pray for those who colorfully parade their sin. Sincerely plead with God to save their souls before it is too late. Nothing is too hard for God. Even this legalized decision to uphold immorality is not beyond God’s control. Let our prayers rise as sweet-smelling incense before His throne. He sees. He hears. He knows.

“Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged my Glory for worthless idols. Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror,” declares the Lord. My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water […] Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the Lord your God and have no awe of me,” declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty” (Jeremiah 2:11-13; 19).

Grace upon grace,

April