It seems like the side that wants to hold on to what would be called—traditional values—is losing the battle. Why are values and traditions we have held onto for centuries being called into question now? Also, why does the side calling for—what would be labeled—a “progressive” change seem to be succeeding?
I’m not against change when it’s positive change. However, I am against change when it’s going to lead us down a dark road. I’m not against questioning things to examine whether they make sense. It seems, though, that one side has asked the questions, while the other side has ended up, cowering in the corner, without providing any meaningful answers to the questions. And so, in the absence of valid answers, the march toward the edge of the cliff commences.
I hate to get political. Yet, it’s difficult not to, as these ideas are daily debated and wrestled over in the political arena. The ideas being challenged like traditional families, the value of the unborn life, and the value of generally moral behavior aren’t things to be pushed aside like they don’t matter or have a direct impact in our daily lives.
There are two schools of thought which are directly opposed to one another. One side believes that there are a set of rules outside of us, irrevocable, and unchangeable—set as guides to lead us to a peaceful and happy life. Another side believes that the rules are defined by us and take on a malleable form that can be re-made into whatever image we like. So, it really all starts with our world-view. One side believes in a creator, God, while the other side believes we are the creator. I happen to be on what would be labeled the conservative side, involving a faith in God. But regardless of your worldview, I believe meaningful answers can be given.
I believe part of the reason we are losing the battle is that we have allowed the other side to frame the debate in their own terms. And we have just stood there and watched on the sidelines while they do it. They have challenged the traditional values and morals of our society and there has been little to no push-back. Why? Because we don’t know why we believe what we believe. And we don’t know how to accurately articulate what we do believe. We have allowed them to ask the questions about why these things are important without giving an answer. When a way of life which has proven to work and produce robust societies—content and peaceful, not only morally, and spiritually, but economically, and unflaggingly productive in industry, then I think an even more important question needs to be asked: “Why would you want to change it?”
Let me ask you this: If there is no God-ordained moral right or wrong, then what is the moral right or wrong? And who determines what that is? Some would say, “Well, we do.” Ok, but everyone has different ideas about what that is. Most people believe that there is a moral right and wrong. They just disagree about what it is. So, then what do you do? If there is no moral compass, then which way is true North? We don’t decide which way the compass points, do we? The compass points true North regardless of what we believe. The fact of the matter is that there are moral laws that exist that can’t be changed. Whether other people recognize that fact is beside the point. I like how C. S. Lewis described things in regards to moral and spiritual truths. He said something to the effect, “The thing that tells which note to be played cannot be the note itself.” Using sheet music as an analogy, he so accurately described spiritual truths and our sometimes flawed view of them. He was saying that we all have an inner sense of right and wrong. That, however, can’t come from us. That reality, itself, points to the presence of a creator.
AV Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” While many people can try to openly deny the presence of a creator, they willingly deny a large body of evidence to the contrary. All of creation shows an order and complexity. Order and complexity points to design. And design points to a designer. Whatever case someone may try to make to the contrary, these things are hard to ignore. The Bible calls this being “without excuse”.
AV Colossians 1:16: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” Not only does creation point to being God-created, the Bible directly tells us so. I find it helpful to remind myself that all things that I see, and feel, and am aware of are a direct result of God’s creative power. The reason I find it helpful is the comfort it gives me in knowing that there is nothing in my life that falls outside of His scope. There is nothing that is not subject to Him and His authority. That means He has power over all the problems I face.
Moreover, it is also beneficial in the treatment of samples of levitra other diseases. Other factors that play an important role include social isolation and immigration related to social adversity, racial discrimination, family dysfunction, unemployment, and poor housing conditions. viagra levitra Here are few of them: Ginkgo biloba: It is an efficient herb which can combat the problem cialis on line of impotence with the help of Silagra pills. There has been and remains a long and costly (in terms particularly bulk generic viagra of unnecessary suffering) lag between the development of new knowledge and its effective use. AV Matthew 5:13: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” I would say that in some ways we as Christians have lost our “salt”. We have not effectively engaged our society in such a way that would compel people to hold onto the values we have traditionally considered precious. A defining characteristic of salt is that it preserves and protects. This is the purpose of a community of believers. Salt is also corrosive against the wrong environments. Similarly, we should be corrosive to a world-view that would try to encroach on Biblical values.
AV Isaiah 1:18: “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.” This is God’s admonishment to Israel and her sins. However, I believe that God’s call to Israel is still His call to us today. I also believe that we have a better chance of bringing non-believers to faith in Christ when we have effectively removed the barriers to their unbelief. We can reason with people and succeed in winning their hearts and minds. And while presenting a view with which others disagree, we don’t have to be needlessly combative. We can attempt to reason with people who genuinely are wanting to know the truth. We can lovingly present to other people the truth that we all need God and His forgiveness.
AV Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].” Another thing to remember is that these things are rooted in a spiritual battle. It can be easy to engage with people mentally while forgetting the spiritual aspects of the situation. There is a battle that we also need to be fighting in the heavenly realm. Bathing everything with prayer is an invaluable aspect of engaging with others to present the truths of the Gospel message.
AV Romans 1:20: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
AV Colossians 1:16: “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
AV Matthew 5:13: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
AV Isaiah 1:18: “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.”
AV Ephesians 6:12: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].”