6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
Moral Restoration for
Canada
1 Timothy 6:6
As
Christians; we need to cultivate a heart of gratitude for that which the LORD
has provided for us. Whether in our faith, family, jobs, friendships, health,
social standing, finances, possessions, personal experiences and so forth. The
scriptures assure us that if we stay rooted in Jesus Christ; we will bear good
fruit. (John 15:4)
Our contentment problem does not lie
with the fruits themselves; but rather in our poor understanding and attitude
regarding truth and virtue. Intangibles like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and a heart of praise or thanksgiving, or a
righteous and holy life may seem insignificant to Christians today. This is
tragic since those are the fruits Christians are privileged to appreciate daily
during their earthy lives. Godliness and contentment are the day to day blessings
of walking closely with the LORD Jesus Christ. Additionally; as we studied last
week; we are promised eternal rewards for a life of obedience, faithfulness,
and abiding trust. (2 Cor 5:10)
Why do so
many Canadians (even many in the church) struggle to find contentment in God even
while being blessed materially? I believe the primary reason is ignorance of
the one true God coupled with idolatry. The prophet Hosea puts it this way:
Hosea 4:6
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.
In the Book
of Hosea; we read of the children of Israel enjoying a time of economic and
national growth but forsaking the one true God and seeking after worthless
idols instead. The result is moral degradation and certain judgment (Hosea 5:1); until God once again
rescue and restore Israel. (Hosea
14:1-3)
Our culture has become so flippant, callous, and indifferent
towards the word of God that it barely has a foundation from which to frame truth
and virtue. This moral rot has gradually infiltrated the church to the point that
the church resembles the world in its worldly pursuits. Christians today are
reading their Bibles far less than previous believing generations and have
allowed the world to reshape its truth and virtues. It’s no wonder that
faithful followers of Christ are seen as aloof and out of touch with reality.
The solution for Canada is the same as was the solution for
ancient Israel. We need to forsake our idols and return wholeheartedly to the
LORD our God. Amen. (Hosea 14:1-4)
14 O
Israel, return to the Lord your
God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; 2 Take
words with you, And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,“Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will
offer the sacrifices[a]
of our lips.3 Assyria shall not save us, We will not
ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, ‘You are
our gods. ‘For in You the fatherless finds mercy.” 4 “I
will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.
I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.
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