Sad at the depravity in our world, hoping to bring God's love and righteousness

Do you watch television? If so, what do you spend your time watching? There are often better ways to use the gift of time which God gives us than watching the televison. But, there are also times when TV is a way to keep up with the world, or to enjoy some entertainment in sports or a television show. When my wife and I find time to relax together, when we sit down and want to watch something short on TV, our “go to show” has become . . . The Andy Griffith Show. Yes, this show is OLD – from the 1960’s. But watching the antics of Andy and Barney, of Aunt Bea and Opie, of Gomer and Goober, we often laugh out loud. And, when watching the show, we find values which reflect the values which we hold as Christians. This show exhibits no foul language, no overt sexuality, no crudeness, no depravity. The people in the show care for each other. They worship together and work for the good of the community together. In some ways this show reflected the heart and the values of America in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

TV shows are different today. Some do reflect the ultimate battle between good and evil. There are a few modern shows we enjoy watching. But we are never sure what we will find on today’s media. Foul language, overt sexual content, depravity, crudeness are often the norm rather than the exception when watching modern TV. My kids tell me, “It’s a different world, Dad.” But, I don’t have to like the world which can seem to reject God and His values. I don’t have to like a show which seeks to pull God’s church into the thinking of the world and into a life of the flesh.

People wonder why there seems to be so many troubles in our world today. The truth is, there have always been problems. Each age has it’s own temptations and challenges. The poet is right when God inspired him to write in Ecclesiastes, “There is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

But, Jesus teaches us in The Sermon on the Mount, “17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:17-20) You understand what Jesus says, “ . . . every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” In other words, if a person’s heart is sick – focused on sinful desires, they will show that illness in their lives. If the heart of a nation is ill, focused on depravity and crudeness, no wonder that illness shows in outward actions. All we have to do is to look around us to see the danger and the result of following the ways of our world instead of following the righteous guidance of God.

In Promise Keepers Bible Study on Tuesday evening, January 10, the men who were gathered read from Genesis 6, the beginning of the flood account. The Lord’s reason for the flood is stated in verse 5. “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Wow! “. . . every intent of the thoughts of his [mankind’s] heart was only evil continually.” Does that description ring a bell? Does it sound like much of what we see in our world today? In Genesis, in response to sin in the time of Noah, God sent His judgement on the world for the evil it craved and did.

The truth is that evil has always been “crouching at the door” (Genesis 4:7), seeking to snare people created in the image of God. We are people born in sin in a sinful world. Even believers in Jesus have a constant battle with the devil, the world, and our flesh. But, we don’t have to accept sick hearts that give bad fruit. God changes hearts in Jesus. Listen to what God inspired Paul to write in Ephesians 4, which I read in my personal devotion on January 19. “17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! — 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. . . 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

The love of Jesus changes hearts. We have all failed God and lived in rebellion and in selfishness. But in love God sent Jesus, His Son, our Savior. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God really does love us and forgive us. When we know that we deserve punishment, but instead we receive forgiveness and love, when we learn the surprising mercy of God in Jesus, then God touches hearts which are hardened in selfishness, and moves us to want to serve Him, to follow Him. He makes our hearts new and good, and we can bear good fruit.

There may be depravity and crudeness in our world, but the love of God can shine through as well. During the Christmas season my wife and I were surprised to find a number of Christmas movies which really focused on how God’s love in Jesus changes the lives of people today for good. And, at St. John on Friday, January 15, we watched the movie, “Overcomer” from the Kenrick brothers and Affirm Films. What a great film of Christian faith working good from evil! The world around us may follow the ways of “the prince of this world.” But I will continue to strive, even with my frail human ability, to 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. It may not seem that our troubled world changes. But, through a life of faith and love, God makes a difference, even if only in the life of one other person. After all, Jesus has made me a new person and I want to live as that new child of God!