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"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”(I Peter 1:13-16)
Being a senior citizen and having now become older than dirt, I must confess I have never seen this great country of ours, the United states of America, in such disarray. What was once thought to be right is now wrong, and what was once considered to be wrong is now right in the eyes of our new social environment. (Isaiah 5:20-21)
Yes, we are now living in a new era, that being a "Topsy-Turvy" religious world. For you see, calling good evil and evil good is a phenomenon first noted in the Garden of Eden. It began with the fall of our first parents (Genesis 3:1-7), and has been found in every culture since the Fall. (Judges 21:25)
Topsy-Turvy Definition - With the top downward and the bottom up; upside-down. Or in or into a state of utter disorder or confusion."
How did we get this way, one may ask? Simply by taking God out of the mix and by ignoring the principles of God's guidance in lieu of our own socialistic agenda, we have reverted to the economic and political theories that advocate collective or governmental ownership of our entire lives. In other words, we have lost all reasonable sensibility and can no longer think for ourselves.
Nowadays one need not have experience or knowledge to gain popularity. All that is required is to just "go with the flow." Yes, we are surely in a topsy-turvy world. Outside is now the inside, and up is now down in this crazy new progressive environment, which is now called being politically correct.
In reality these are dangerous times in which we now live. Never have so many people had access to so much knowledge and yet have been so opposed to learning the truth; the truth of the gospel, that is (I Cor 15:1-4).
False doctrine seems to be the order of the day with the new spiritual thinking of speculative myths, rather than living by faith (I Timothy 1:4,6).
The truth of the Gospel is subdued because of a culture of wickedness, and a determined, rebellious will (Romans 1:19-20). Instead of the proper response of glorifying God (Romans 1:21), attention is given to the worship and service of today's 'Me, Myself, and I' syndrome.
The Apostle Paul covered this New Age philosophy very well in (II Timothy 4:3-4). We are now in an age whereby people are no longer content to hear the sound gospel teaching, having turned to the many false doctrines and teachings of novelty and untruth. Even so-called religion has become topsy-turvey.
And as the Lord's return draws near, these topsy-turvey characteristics will surely intensify by mass corruption and a breakdown of law and tradition and by holding to a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:1-9,13) but denying its power.
We must, however, flee from all aspects of this false mindset (I Timothy 1:9,11), by turning to the truth of the gospel (I Timothy 1:11). We must keep the true commandments of God (I Timothy 1:14-16), and not be attracted to a false hope (I Timothy 1:17-19). We must be diligent in our spiritual walk, so as to be approved by God (I Timothy 2:15, 19, 22-23).
Sad to say nonetheless, the Church is not without its own offenders (Titus 1:10-11), those who profess to know God, but their deeds tell a different story (Titus 1:15-16) To these people we must always strive to be a good example (Titus 2:7-8). We must do our part in showing the grace of God (Titus 2:11) by pointing to the way of redemption (Titus 2:14) from the bondage of sin (Ephesians 1:7).
The now current 'Name it and Claim It' doctrine of today's church must be turned around to that of living a life of faith that will be pleasing to God (Hebrews 11:1, 6).
So what's the solution to this ongoing chaos? We must get back to the Bible if we expect to survive in this turbulent, ungodly world. Again the Apostle Paul gives us the right answer in (II Timothy 3:16-17). It's all about studying His holy Word.
You see, regardless of having to live in this Topsy-Turvey world, our heavenly Father is still on our side. There is no enemy who can effectively defeat us (Romans 8:31). There are no evils that can make a charge stick against us (Romans 8:33). There are no accusers who can effectively condemn us (Romans 8:34). And no one can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:35), for we are conquerors because of God's love for us (Romans 8:37).
According to Theologian J.I. Packer, his favorite Bible chapter is the eighth chapter of Romans which begins with "There is no condemnation" and ends with "Nothing can separate us from the love of God."
Yes, we may just be in a Topsy-Turvey world, but in the end it's God's world. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, can separate us from His love, for this is His promise to us, His children, and God never breaks His promises (Romans 8:28). Amen!
And how might our upside down world be turned right side up? Simply by following God's command in (II Chronicles 7:14), by humbling ourselves, by praying and by seeking God's face, as a people and as a nation. Then, and only then, will God hear our pleas and heal our land.
You see, this well-known Bible verse states God's requirements for blessing: humility, prayer, devotion, and repentance. In other words, this is God's formula to turn our country "Right Side Up.' Will you help? I trust that you will.
Author's Postscript
I realize this blog, having so many Bible references, may read more like a Sunday School Bible study. However, I trust that you will take the time to read the Scriptures as you go along. And I hope that you will take the time to talk with your heavenly Father as you move forward (Psalm 27:8).
"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side," let Israel now say -- "If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul. Then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul.
Blessed be the Lord who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 124)
Please visit my revised web page (http://ccrobey.wixsite.com/themessage)
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I like you illustrations of an upside down church, etc., Chuck.
Our country certainly has turned away from God; people have become wise in their own eyes and we've become a Noble Savage culture, where there is no restraint, authority...
Things started turning upside down the beginning of the 20th century. A good part of that is that our country was influenced by French culture, the enlightenment, etc. The churches, which should have been a good influence on society, instead integrated worldly views.
Princeton Theological Seminary, once sound, started adapting worldly ways in the 1920s, to match mainstream Presbyterian churches then. Liberalism, modernism - the philosophy of nut jobs like Virginia Wolf crept into the church and society. Some professors took a stand and were treated harshly and started Westminster Theological Seminary to teach more fidelity to scripture.
After WWII, the church started becoming more Godlike and positively influenced society. Just watch the Rifleman series, produced in the late 50's to the early 60s.
The last 60s was the start of cultural decline, with the 70s ME decade. And our culture moved further away from God. And so did the churches. It's sad that the churches that accept same sex marriages is close to the percentage outside the church that does. Nearly 50 percent accept this sin!
Good article with lots of verses to buttress the argument.
By the way, when I was in elementary school, with Fred Flintstone in the Yabba Dabba Do School District, teachers prayed and read the Bible to the class. We didn't have school shootings back then!
-Jeff