The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. – Genesis 6:5-6
Sin is almost never seen for what it really is, until it is too late. Instead, it is portrayed as a choice, a lifestyle, a personal liberty, or a harmless diversion. It is glamorized, justified, even celebrated. Christians know better; sin brings death and separation, not happiness.
Of course, God makes no distinction between big sin and little sin. Every sinful act is rebellion against God’s authority in our lives. Even so, the destructive futility of sin is easier to see in some acts than others. Nowhere is the destruction and slavery of sin more visible than with the heroin epidemic sweeping our area. Lives of the guilty and the innocent are daily being destroyed in horrific crashes, overdoses and neglect. The usual remedies of legislation, punishment, education and treatment just don’t seem to work on this. Witnessing the destruction of lives and being helpless to change it tempts good hearted people to throw up their hands in frustration and disillusionment. How can something with such power to enslave ever be stopped? Those caught in the addiction are so often unwilling and unable to break free, frustrating those who want to help. What a mess!
Seeing the ugliness and futility of this situation gives us a bit of a view from God’s perspective. Imagine God’s frustration as he saw his beautiful creation being enslaved over and over following the sin of Adam and Eve – seeing the destruction of sin passed from generation to generation with no end and no remedy. Praise God that he dove headfirst into our mess and made the only way of salvation.
We, the church, have been called out of the mire to be witnesses to the way of salvation. Having been rescued from the pit, we are duty bound to help those still sinking to see the way of salvation. Let’s not grow weary in that eternally important task! I pray that the Church will be faithful lights in the darkness pointing the lost and dying world to Christ.
