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Post by Jeffrey Olver on Aug 25, 2005 13:36:58 GMT -5
“God will give me justice.” J.A. Olver We live in a nation of perverted justice! As a nation, we find entertainment in violence; movies are produced that twist our emotions so we find ourselves rooting for the “bad-guy.” We use words like “excellent,” “amazing,” “awesome,” and “wonderful” to describe movies whose plots revolve around theft, revenge, deceit, and drug abuse, and disrespect, immoral sexual behavior – sometimes bizarre and harmful.” All tailored to be entertaining, glamorous – or even if it’s not glamorous, producers try very hard to portray it as unavoidable and unchangeable. People of power and influence continually color the black and whites gray. As I said in a previous writing, “… dark veil…is cast by Satan over the world to make the black and whites into gray, shifting shadows.” We see on the news, these people continually escaping punishment for their crimes with a mere “slap on the wrist.”
In addition to the perversion, we have the defense of criminals which is no defense at all, but an offense to moral absolutes. Granted, there should be a rightful defense of criminals to make the punishment fit the crime and to assure they are not punished bizarrely, but lead to rehabilitation. But when criminals, while in the act of their crime, are injured or face some sort of physical or mental distress, are able to turn right around and file lawsuits against the people whose rights they were attempting to violate it is just plain repulsive. It is taking advantage of the blindfold covering the eyes of justice and raping her. With forked tongues, courtrooms are distracted from the real issue. Stories are woven of tragic pasts, mental instability, and mysterious and conveniently temporary bouts of insanity. Now, legitimate cases of mental duress due to illness or preexisting conditions are made – and while there is a reason for the sins committed, there is never an excuse.
This condition has become so commonplace that it is not very often you see people incensed by injustice (whether it is in the public eye or within private matters). Rather, a sickening apathy has infected the minds and hearts of a nation. With the growing popularity of crime (thanks to movies, music and videogames), we’ve become desensitized to everything from murder and rape to petty theft. Children play countless hours of videogames, many of which are notorious for their graphic violence, crude humor, sexual innuendo and outright immoral behavior. In a particular driving videogame Grand Theft Auto III: Vice City, the player can steal vehicles, destroy property, as well as solicit and beat and murder prostitutes. In a more recent release of this game, a “modification” in the computer game version was found where if the player enters a certain code they would be able to view and direct characters of the game having graphic sex.
Movies are not any better. In the film The Italian Job, the plot centers around a group of people taking revenge against an accomplice of theft who stole the ill got gains from his fellow thieves and murdered one of their own. The plans to have their revenge are meticulously planned and thought out with the latest modern technology and computer hacking. Prime Time isn’t so good either. The station FX came out with a show a few years ago called The Shield, which is a show based around the life and activities of a group of illicit police officers who use violence, drugs, who also take bribes and other illegal means to enforce their version of the law. It is one of the many burgeoning television shows on Prime Time to have strong profanity and nudity. On the station HBO, we have the show The Sopranos. About a family involved with Mafia. The show is about murder, sex and violence and is one of the most popular shows on TV today. Many Christians, in fact, enjoy these movies, shows and videogames.
We as a nation have become so morally relativistic that we don’t mind injustice, bribery or cheating at all. Until someone steals something from us, or kills a loved one. Then does deceit sink its stinger deep. Rights can be violated; criminals can get away scot-free, until they commit crime against us or our families, then and only then is there is injustice not tolerated and we demand fairness.
Some would deny the legitimacy of true justice. That it is a fantasy. That justice is peeking from underneath her blindfold, and while we’re distracted by the glamour attached to crime in the media, she tips the scale in her hand. Even more would claim that the biblical standards of justice are too archaic and they would never apply to situations today. This stems from teaching as young as elementary school that results in the startling 2002 Barna statistic that 53% of teenagers do not believe there are moral absolutes.
By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down. Proverbs 29:4 Is it any wonder that the moral stability of our country is so shaky? Is it any wonder that more and more of entertainment is based from deceit, pain, death, revenge, immorality, promiscuity and violence? Most of that stems from greed; greed for pleasure, ease and comfort. The support of morals and principles is rotting away, leaving this nation on unsettled ground. America has become much like the man described in Jonathan Edward’s Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, who is walking on rotten planks over an open, fiery pit, oblivious because he has made so many plans to escape deathly situations and get around ill will.
We all growl like bears; we moan mournfully like doves. We look for justice, but find none; for deliverance, but it is far away. Isaiah 59:11 As Christians what do we do about it now? Many simply do not care and are consumed by apathy. They figure that we are outnumbered and that the “system” is too powerful. Many only gossip about and discuss the moral decay. They never step outside their comfort zone, never get involved and seek for every opportunity to speak their mind. Some will even shout and display signs and holler, not seek to remedy the situation – only to embarrass the parties involved, rather than to do ministry.
The question arises, “what do we do?”
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:1-8 (kjv)
Over these past few years we have witnessed the impact one vote can have. We have seen the power (and will continue to see) of one voice. Getting involved, voting, petitioning and researching what exactly is going on in the world that is creating this condition of perverted justice are all means that should be pursued in order to reach out into those circles.
However, the option that is mostly neglected is the one we need the most. “Cry day and night!” In the beginning of this parable, the reason for it is introduced: “that all men ought to pray always and faint not!” Prayer is the most powerful weapon we have. As illustrated in the parable Jesus told prayer, consistent, ardent prayer will have a lasting effect! So what do we do? Pray! So that God would give us justice that “would roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24). And that He might return and find faith on earth.
In the coming years we can only expect conditions to get better.
What?
For a season, times will seem to get better. Churches will be successful. Thousands will come to Christ. Ministries will be booming, packing out stadiums. This is phenomenal when the converts are genuine and immediately discipled into a walk with the Lord.
But…
The rest of what I need to say can be found in 1 Thessalonians 5;
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19Quench not the Spirit. 20Despise not prophesyings. 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25Brethren, pray for us. 26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
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