SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                             1016

“Extreme Wickedness”

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth; 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 6:11-12; 5-6)

Could it be possible that mankind was more corrupt in the days of Noah than it is today? Having cleansed the earth in the flood, God gave mankind another chance through Noah and his family. Yet ten generations later we see that the extreme wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah again brought judgment from the Lord. Were they more wicked than we are today?

I am struck by the verse: And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. I am reminded of the lyrics in the song, HOSANNA by Hillsong that say: ‘Break my heart for what breaks Yours’ and my heart is indeed also grieved. My heart is broken not so much at what I see in the wickedness of the world but rather because when I point my finger at their sin, there are four other fingers pointing back at me! My heart is grieved because I too am part of the problem because of my sinful nature. We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment; As it is written: None is righteous, no, not one. (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10)

I can relate with Paul who wrote in the book of Romans, Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24, 25)

I marvel at God’s love for us. In spite of the continuing extreme wickedness of the world, He suffered and died for our sins in the Person of Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life; he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. (John 3:16; Titus 3:5)

There are no loopholes in God’s plan for salvation. Although the Lord is patient, not willing that anyone should be condemned (2 Peter 3:9) there will come a day when He says ‘Enough!’ and it will come upon us suddenly, as in the days of Noah. (Matthew 24:37-39) There is only one way out of the cesspool of wickedness that plagues us, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ who paid the price for our redemption. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…; For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:5)

Is your heart attuned to God’s heart? Are you grieved by what grieves His? Are you willing to deny your flesh and follow Jesus? Yes, we will all trip up and stumble along the way. Do not let the enemy speak the lie that you are unworthy to resume your walk with Jesus. Our righteousness is found in Him and Him alone – never in our abilities.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)