The World We Live In Part 5

So what are we to do? Having discussed corruption, having discussed the consequences thereof, having discussed how God feels about it, what are we as children of God to do in the face of it?

Ought we to be indifferent toward it? Ought we to promote it as some have taken to doing? Ought we to condemn it or condone it? Ought we to isolate ourselves from it? And what do we do if it doesn’t stop? What do we do if corruption continues to grow, and besmirch even more minds and hearts with its influence?

The first thing we must do as individuals in regards to corruption is flee from it. It is incumbent upon us as individuals to guard our hearts, and to be the watchmen of our own conscience.

I realize this is not the answer some were expecting, but it is a biblical answer nevertheless. From Joseph fleeing from before Potiphar’s wife, to Timothy being exhorted of Paul to flee youthful lusts, there is wisdom in fleeing from even the appearance of evil.

1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

Many who thought to dialogue with corruption, many who thought to make a truce with it discovered that given enough time, they were overcome by it. You don’t dialogue with sin, you don’t try to find common ground with corruption, you flee from it, you guard your heart, and you run into the arms of Jesus, your protector.

The second thing we must do as individuals in regards to corruption is adopt the same mindset as God when it comes to it. In recent years there has been a resounding divergence between the way God sees certain things, and the way we, His servants, see the selfsame things. The opinion of the servant cannot differ from that of his Master. If God calls it sin, we must likewise call it sin, even though the world does not see it as such and embraces it. We make allowances where no allowances can be made, and because we take it upon ourselves to think we are wiser than God, we find ourselves thoroughly shackled and ensnared.

There is but one way to escape the wrath of God, there is but one way to dwell in safety, and that is by obeying the voice of God, and adhering to His word.

Proverbs 1:33, “But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”

Dwelling safely, being secure, and living without fear of evil are just a few of the many benefits of obedience toward God. When we obey God, we are certain of His protection, when we obey God we are certain of His guidance, and we know that He will not lead us astray, nor lead us to withered pastures.

When what God commands and what men say that God commanded are contradictory to each other, it is our responsibility to go to the word of God, and see the truth for ourselves. It is incumbent upon us to be diligent in the knowledge of God’s will, that we might not be led astray by those who would have vested interests, and ulterior motives for teaching what amounts to abject heresy.

Proverbs 2:10-14, “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things, from those who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice in doing evil, and delight in the perversity of the wicked.”

At this juncture perhaps some of you may be asking yourselves, and rightly so, if there is nothing we can do in order to stop or at least slow down the spread of corruption. Are we fated to be mere spectators? Is all we can do stand by and watch as the world fractures and crumbles all around us? Are we called to be mere accusers, to point the finger, to proclaim divine judgment and nothing more? Is our calling only to be a Jonah of sorts?

What we can do, is what Jesus did. Jesus came, He prayed, and He lived as a light for others, and as the salt of the earth, teaching all who would hear how they might be reconciled unto God. Jesus offered the possibility of transformation from a sinful nature, to a glorious one, a nature renewed of mind and heart, preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins.

We know not how many people we will be able to reach, we know not how many people we will be able to influence, but our duty remains the same nevertheless. Our duty before an eternal God is to preach Christ and Him crucified, to preach redemption through the shed blood of Christ, and salvation through His precious name.

Yes, we are to remain incorruptible in a corrupt world, and this is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us, and our obedience to the word of God.

Though you might be as Noah or Lot, alone among the corrupt, your duty remains ever the same. Be as Christ was, doing as Christ did, and living as Christ lived.

To this day the message of the cross continues to transform, and Jesus, through His servants, continues to change the world one person at a time.

With love in Christ,
Michael Boldea Jr.