No More Restraints?
- Now Think On This
by Steve Martin
“And
you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For
the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will
do so until he is taken out of the way.” 2 Thess. 2:6-8 NASU
The walls are falling down. Many of the restraints we formerly could count on, which have been holding back the onslaught of the evil one as they had been in place over the centuries, are no longer there.
Almost anything is allowed now, as people and governments are using all excuses to serve their own purposes. Often it is heard, “We must be sensitive to others”, or “stop pushing your own agenda or beliefs on us.” It would seem that all situations are ok, as there is no longer any fear of paying a price for sin, no matter how large or small. After all, some would think, no longer is there a need for accountability to anyone or anything having rules, regulations or set guidelines. We are “free to let it all go and do our own thing.”
According to many, there are no longer any
restraints that would or should guide us anymore. The concept of sin went out the
door decades ago. With a common misconception that one can be called a
Christian by just saying you are one, the thought of a God who would judge
people is labeled as old school. Why therefore need we adhere to the Ten
Commandments or any Scripture? We took those down off the court room walls
decades ago, after all.
There used to be a time when at least you could
hear, even in mainline churches, good, solid teaching on standards, as they held
the ground on what was permissible and what wasn’t. Now, due to the fear of
political correctness or attacks from the other side, speaking Bible truth has
been so watered down that young kids have no idea what really is right or
wrong. The standards have been so lowered that what we once upheld and stood
strong on have now been tossed aside, replaced by ungodly standards and immoral
judgments. Deception abounds.
Even certain nationally observed days, with foundations
from evil origins themselves, have become some of the most celebrated in our countries.
Indeed, the ever increasing temperature rise in the frog’s captive water has gone
up so high, whereby the “frog” is now being boiled alive, not even realizing
the impending result. But death will actually result.
Parents raising kids are confronted daily with sound
waves of how all the others are doing it, how it will be alright to give in a
little, and why not to be so tough on allowing your kids to explore and try new
ways. Weariness takes its toll on those attempting to hold the line, while struggling
to stop the onslaught from coming into the home daily from every which way.
So what do we do? Give up and give in? Tell
ourselves that the world is going to hell anyway, so just let it happen?
In speaking to those of us who are of the current
parental generation, we are called upon by our Lord to stand, even as others
around us would give in. We are the ones who must be the lighthouse to those
who have lost their way. We must be the “Bible” to those who have never been
instructed in the Way, or shown the Truth, or heard of the Life in Jesus
Christ.
“Refuse
to follow the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your brothers
and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings that you have. 1
Peter 5:9
“So,
brothers and sisters, stand strong and continue to believe the teachings we
gave you when we were there and by letter.” 2 Thess. 2:15
I know I grow weary at times, with the frequent
temptations, the short term victories of the ungodly, and the continuing battle
to keep my mind on the Lord and His ways. But I know for the sake of my family,
my grandkids, and others who are watching and listening, I, along with you,
must hold the line. We must stand for truth, righteousness and accountability.
Be encouraged in the Lord’s strength. Spend the
time daily to be uplifted by His Word, His answers to prayers, and His light
that does shine in the darkness. Our promised reward awaits us in the end.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
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Now Think On This #163
- “No More Restraints?” by Steve Martin
Date: In the year of
our Lord 2014 (10.29.14) Wednesday at 5:30 pm in Charlotte, NC
All previous editions
of Now Think On This can be found on this
Blog, and on our newest website: Now
Think On This