Even in this fallen world, nature is a beautiful place. I can’t imagine the pristine beauty of the Garden of Eden, since only two of us got to see it. When Adam and Eve were ushered out of that beautiful place, and forced to live elsewhere, they still inhabited virgin territory, and it had to be a glory to behold.
Since I’m a Kentuckian, I’ve often wondered, as I’ve traveled through this great state (commonwealth, that is), what it may have looked like before any human set foot upon its ground. Throughout the United States are areas of breath-taking beauty that have come from the hands of God. This has caused me to go beyond these thoughts and consider what man has done to God’s creation.
I can’t visualize the animal kingdom “making a mess of things,” but when man moves into an area, things change, and usually not for the good. Driving back and forth to work, I often see a rabbit, squirrel, opossum, raccoon, skunk, deer and even sometimes a fox within the city limits. Sometimes I will see a wild creature turned to “road-kill.” I feel sorry for them, knowing that we, mankind, have rooted them out of their own territory, and made it difficult for them to live in what used to be their habitat.
One thing is sure, since sin introduced itself into the world, it has never ceased to wreak havoc throughout the land.
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” (Genesis 6:12)
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” (Romans 8:22)
God’s creation replenishes itself and retains its beauty. Man does take from what God has created and make some beautiful sites to behold. The problem is, if these man-made sites are not kept up, they will deteriorate, and become quite ugly.
God provided language for all people to communicate, and what do we do with it? We add to it every “expletive deleted” word that can come from an evil heart. We take words that were once clean, wholesome and enjoyable and turn them into gutter talk, such as the word “gay.” “Gay” was formally a word meaning merry, or bright in color. Now it is used to identify one of the most obscene practices of a sexual act that is condemned by a Holy God.
God provided us a mind that knows no limits for good, and what do we do with it? Thoughts have derived from the human mind that could embarrass a demon. If you’re not convinced, consider just a few of the popular movies showing in your local theater. Take a look at the book shelves in your local book store. Channel surf for a few minutes on your television set, or surf the Internet for a while.
We continue to pollute the earth with our mind, mouth, actions and products. We are even expanding our reach to outer space.
Marriage, a union between a man and a woman, which God provided for pleasure and procreation, has been brought to the lowest of lows by the evil thoughts of man. Marriage today, as God intended it, is laughed at and ridiculed. Half the population doesn’t even bother with it. They just “shack up.” Most from the other half just treat it like a pair of shoes. “Think I’ll get a new pair.”
God has blessed man and woman with children, but the cold and perverted of heart have murdered them, abused them, neglected them and even sold them in slavery. Their innocence has been taken from them and treated like dung in a barn. They are neglected by their own parents since they are an inconvenience, except for getting that monthly check of course. Even many Christian parents are not teaching them from God’s book, the Bible, but leaving them to fend for themselves in a world quickly being taken over by evil.
Sometimes we say of one who is clumsy that “they could tear up an anvil.” That certainly is true of mankind. We have pulled back the man-hole covers from the sewer openings and crawled down in the depths of our own spiritual excrement. We have taken what is holy, clean and pure and defiled ourselves. The stench of our actions, defile all that is around us and our own soul within us.
Is there any hope for mankind? Can we be saved from ourselves? Hope, for many, has gone the way of the Dodo bird, because they refuse and mock the only lifeline there is. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, tells mankind of the only hope we have.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39)
In this verse, Jesus was speaking of Himself. Paul says that,
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:19)
If we discard Jesus Christ, then we are hopeless. When Jesus is booted out of our lives, mankind has no means of salvation from his own wretchedness. All that remains is total hopelessness.
As rotten as we have become, it would take Almighty God Himself to save us from ourselves. Fortunately for us, He provided the means to do so. However, He only provided one way. There are no other options. We can’t just pick and choose. The way is through His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
His Son confirms it;
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Can you smell it? The “it” is the vile, putrid, nauseating smell of sin that has spread like a cancer throughout our society. Like an octopus, it reaches out to us all. If you’re sick of what the world has to offer, and would prefer the clean, refreshing aroma of forgiveness from an Almighty God, then call out to Him now.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
Grant Phillips