Taking care of our environment is a very popular topic today. We are besieged with facts and figures concerning the sad state that our physical world is in. Melting polar ice caps, high mercury levels in fish, declining air quality in our larger cities, and toxic wastes seeping into our water supply are just of few of the concerns that are voiced daily by many so called scientists and activists who warn us of impending doom if we continue to neglect their advice. We are all made increasingly aware of the need that each of us has to protect the environment that we all live in on a daily basis. I am convinced that GOD intends that we be good stewards of this earth that HE has so graciously allowed us to inhabit. In fact Adam’s duties involved replenishing the earth and dressing and keeping the garden which GOD planted. (see Gen.1:28; 2:15)
Now while we must have a certain level of concern for our physical environment and should take definite precautions against unnecessarily polluting it, there is another aspect of our lives wherein a different kind of pollution should be of even greater concern to us. One of the ongoing failures of Israel as a nation was that they did not utterly destroy the inhabitants of the lands into which the LORD brought them. As a result they mingled with these pagan cultures and inevitably their own culture was polluted. This pollution did not even seem dangerous to them initially, but it ultimately caused great weakness among a people who were a great nation and eventually brought about their subjugation to foreign rulers. The mighty Israel who once conquered every nation in its path and caused great trembling among the inhabitants of those lands, became the slaves and bondmen to those who mocked their GOD.
Now we as the people of GOD are "a holy nation" that we should show forth HIS praise. We are called to battle. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of CHRIST." (2 Cor 10:3-5) We are called to a much more serious warfare than the nation of Israel was. Whereas they were called upon to preserve a culture of flesh and blood. We are called to battle against those enemies who would destroy our very soul through the corruption and pollution of this wicked world. Now our enemy is not "this world" in the sense that it is the place in which we dwell but rather the customs and mindset of this cosmos(i.e. world order) which would make us its slaves and turn our hearts away from total submission and devotion to the way of CHRIST.
We have not been called to establish a "Christian culture or society". There really is no such thing in the normal sense of what we mean by culture or society. We have, however, been given the charge to keep HIS commandments and to keep ourselves "unspotted" from the world. Satan and his attendant powers of darkness have been allowed to have great sway in this cosmos. His(and their) chief design is to destroy GOD’s creation. Since the LORD has determined to redeem HIS people out of this place of their dominion, they increase their efforts against the sons of GOD and seek with great deception and appeal to the fleshly nature of the LORD’s own, to bring them back into the bondage from which they have already been set free. (see II Cor.11:14)
It is a total waste of time to try to persuade the unregenerate to honor the way of the LORD by pressing them to walk in holiness. But the awakened and delivered people of GOD can and must be admonished and provoked unto good works, mortifying the deeds of the flesh and dying daily for the glory of their SAVIOR. Satan would seek to entrap us by capturing our minds with the design of capturing our hearts. His greatest delight is to pollute our intellect so that we think like the world. He is very patient and subtle as he plies his craft, but nonetheless deadly.
Consider these things: The use of the LORD’s name (O my GOD!; O Jesus or Geez!; etc) is an acceptable expression rather than blasphemy. What was once considered public nudity is now the latest syle. Underwear is no longer a hidden garment. Fashion is dictated by sex appeal rather than a consideration of modesty. Mothers encourage daughters to pursue boys rather than chastity. Sexual activity outside of the bonds of marriage is called normal rather than fornication. Living together is an arrangement instead of shacking up. Virginity in the young has become quaint rather than expected. Homosexuality has become a lifestyle rather than an abomination. Divorce is a convenience rather than a shame. A sexual liaison with someone other than a spouse is an affair rather than adultery. Child-rearing is replaced by careers and daycare. Worship is an entertainment event rather than a soul experience. Sermons, seminars, and counseling have replaced repentance and seeking. Prayer is something we are led in rather than something we participate in. Giving is measured by percentages rather than a cheerful heart. "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD Almighty.” (2 Cor 6:17-18)
mam