What if living in an advanced society is not enough?

All photos courtesy of Unsplash

The ongoing development of technology is revolutionising every dimension of the human experience. Advances in genetics are helping doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent disease on an unprecedented scale. Retailers are developing ways to deliver their products to our homes via drones. Mobile devices allow people to work remotely more easily than ever. Autonomous vehicles may eventually enable people to commute to the office while working in their cars (if people go to an office at all). As a result, suburbs will extend farther from city centres than ever before. It’s hard to identify a dimension of our daily lives that is unaffected by the amazing advances of technology. Those with the skill and discipline to create and market such remarkable inventions deserve the gratitude of those of us who benefit from their expertise daily. And yet, despite all our astounding scientific progress our world is still in trouble. For instance:

Climatic Events

In August and September 2019 Seventy thousand people were left homeless in the Bahamas by Hurricane Dorian and it is estimated that 200 people died. 

Disease

All the nations of the world are currently grappling with COVID-19, seeking to minimise it’s effect on every aspect of life, protecting our economies and preserving the health of our people.

International Relations 

This year North Korea fired two projectiles into the East Sea, its eighth weapons test since late July 2019. South Korea described the actions as "extremely inappropriate" at a time when the world was dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last year China warned  Britain against  sailing  ships  through  disputed waters  in  the  South  China  Sea,  saying  that  such  a  move  would be  ‘hostile’  and  hinting  that  Beijing  would  be  forced  to responded  militarily. 

So my questions is - Is the Bible still relevant in a world like ours?

Christians still believe  that  we  need  to  listen  to  and  trust  the  Bible. God’s  word  is  always  relevant  because  human  nature doesn’t  change.  You  and  I  still  face  the  same  fears  and embrace  the  same  hopes  as  our  first  ancestors. But because  God’s  word  is  as  relevant  today  as  when  it  was first  inspired,  living  by  biblical  truth  and  sharing  it  with others  is  as  relevant  as  ever. 

If you are a Christian let me remind you of a couple of facts:

1. You do not  trust  an  old,  outdated  book  when  you  chose to  live  by  biblical  morality—you’re  aligning  your  life  with the  Creator  of  the  universe  and  living  a  life  he  can  bless. 

2. You’re  not  “proselytizing”  when  you  share  the  gospel— you’re  offering  other  people  the  only  pathway  to  eternal life.

3. You’re not “imposing your values on others” when you speak on cultural issues as you’re sharing life-changing truth with people. 

4. The more people reject God’s word, the more they actually need it.

Here a couple of really important verses from the holy scriptures

Romans 1:16

‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.’

John 10:9-11

‘I am the door. If anyone enters in by Me, he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture . . . I have come so that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep’

Romans 1:17

‘For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness’.

Here are some facts we must understand from these verses:

A. God can make us right, clear our guilt, credit us with purity, holiness and a right standing with Him because of the death His Son, Jesus on the cross. 

B. We are in debt to God - we owe Him for all the wrongs we have done BUT Jesus paid for the debt by His death on the cross (the wages of sins is death).

C. God is the only one who can save us. Salvation and eternal life is the gift of God. We are made holy and pure by God when we repent (recognise and turn from our sin and our old life) and trust Him (Faith is to trust Him, rest in what he offers and depend on Him for salvation).

D. The wrath of God will be revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them (shown it to them).

E. God will judge the world one day because he hates all ungodliness and unrighteousness and will judge it at the end of time. Please do not forget that He loves us but cannot ignore our injustice, evil and sin. He has, however, through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, provided forgiveness and salvation that we can receive and benefit from.

In case you wonder what we are talking about by ungodliness and unrighteousness see the end of this blog for a description of what the Bible says. You will soon see why God is angry.

But please do not ignore the offer that God is making to you today. This is the day of salvation, the day when you can sort things out with God by confession of sin, repenting and turning from your past. But confession is not enough. You need believe God and trust Him to save you and forgive. You can pray, admit and ask. God will forgive, cleanse and bless you as a result. 

Please get in touch to let me know if you have been blessed through the word of God today.

Kind regards,

Stephen 

Note referred to:

Ungodliness and unrighteousness is defined in the Bible as: Sin, evil, injustice, lies, greed, pain inflicted on others, suffering caused by humans, violence, abuse, pride, hatred, lust, careless attitudes, insulting words, gossip, abusive languages, pointless and futile lives, filthy minds, blasphemy, ungrateful people, self focused minds, the attitude of grabbing and wanting things, of not keeping promises, of false accusers, of lacking in self control, of brutal and fierce people, those who hate good and people who do good, reckless people, pleasure lovers more than lovers of God. People know the truth but cover it up - they suppress it but God has made it plain for all to see the truth - by your conscience, by the world around you, by His word and through Jesus, His Son.

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