THE PROGRESSION OF SIN

Nations do not fall into a state of moral decay overnight: a definite progression of sin can nearly always be observed. This progression may be seen in four distinct stages:

SHOCK: The first reaction of decent folks to ungodly behavior is one of SHOCK. People simply can't believe what their eyes are seeing and their ears are hearing. We don't have to think back very many years to remember some things that don't raise an eyebrow nowadays which would have shocked the general public only a few short years ago! Shortly before they went into captivity, God said of His people Israel, through the prophet Jeremiah, "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush" (Jeremiah 6:15).

TOLERATION: When God's Word is not honored, shock gives way to TOLERATION. We still may not like something, but after the initial shock wears off, we put up with it! When God's Word is not held up as the standard to determine right from wrong, who is to say what's right or wrong? We don't want to be labeled bigots, so we swallow hard and keep our mouths shut. However, God does not overlook sin (Acts 17:30-31)

ACCEPTANCE: Toleration will soon be replaced by ACCEPTANCE. The majority approves of that which once was unacceptable. At this stage, we may not even realize a change in values has occurred. Passages like Romans 1:21 indicate that approval of sin puts one into the same category as those who practice such sins!

PARTICIPATION: The final stage is PARTICIPATION. After all, if you can't lick 'em, you may as well join 'em, right? Behavior that was before repulsive, becomes an accepted lifestyle. Did it happen that way to Sodom and Gomorrah? Stop and think a minute: how far the USA has fallen in the last few decades! What stage are we now in? (I'll give you a clue: it probably isn't the first one!)

We read in Daniel 2:21 that God sets up kings and removes kings. That applies to presidents and governors as well. God still rules in heaven and on earth! However, if we want to be an exalted nation we must determine to be a righteous nation. We must return to God before it is too late.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Psalms 33:12).

Rio Evans