The January issue of Christianity, 2009 used this headline to picture the calamity of man set adrift by the culture hell bent on self-indulgence, pleasure and winning at all cost.
The article applauded the many ministries that had been developed to raise awareness of the HIV problems. He noted the compassion being shown to the poor, social and racial justice issues and the fight against sextrafficking.
While recognizing the great value of these efforts, the writer declared none of these good works dealt with the most profound social problem facing humankind. That social problem is alienation from God. The dictionary states to alienate means “To make unfriendly, hostile or indifferent, where attachment formerly existed or the estrangement of a person or his affection from another person.”
When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love is best demonstrated, not in a praise song, but in obedience. To quote the article mentioned, ”The breakdown of society is rooted in the breakdown of our relationship with our Creator. And the biblical response is equally clear: The way out of social chaos begins with people being restored to God, transformed individuals go hand in hand with transforming social networks.”
I am a part of the ministerial alliance effort to assist families with their utility bills. It is a good ministry and I’m glad it gives me the opportunity to be in contact with people who I would otherwise not know. I go into many homes of single parents and others who have great needs.
I recently visited a home which had a one month electric bill of $794. But as helpful as this is, it often is a band-aid approach to a deeper problem of disobedience, or poor judgment. Sociologists tell us the two great needs of human beings are security and significance.
A deep relation with God meets both these needs. Knowing God’s grace, love and forgiveness gives us confidence no matter what happens God loves us and He will see us through the storm. Significance comes from knowing that as a child of the King, I am valuable and I don’t have to seek security from things of the world.
Jonah 2:8 says “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” If we hold on to our idols, whether they be pleasure, comfort, success, gold, etc., we lose out on what God has for us. A relationship with God gives meaning and purpose to life. We learn the joy of service and sacrifice. We have security and significance that the world cannot give.
In our age of “the quick read page, the mad dash and the quick hash,” we have lost sight of the lostness of man without God. We have a responsibility to our brother or sister who needs to know God is there. He longs to come alongside, even to dwell within us; giving direction and guidance to those who believe and obey.
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