Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Obedience (01/31/05)
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TITLE: LAWLESSNESS LEADS TO DISASTER | Previous Challenge Entry
By Phyllis Inniss
02/05/05 -
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As we have seen in our Bible readings disobedience imposes a heavy toll on the lives and benefits of citizens. The Israelites suffered on numerous occasions for their non- adherence to God’s laws. 1 Samuel l5:22 says “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” They worshipped other gods when they were expressly forbidden to do so. After all that God had done for them in bringing them out of Egypt and freeing them from Pharaoh’s enslavement and providing them with food in the wilderness, they disobeyed. The gold they took from the Egyptians, they handed to Aaron, Moses’ brother, who fashioned it into a molten calf and they hailed it as their god. God’s wrath waxed strongly against them, whom He called a “stiffnecked people”. Had not Moses’ intervened on their behalf, God’s anger would have consumed. them.
This island of Trinidad, which some nostalgically still call Paradise, was blessed with a beautiful climate, mountains with lush, verdant vegetation, that swerved the hurricanes from its path. The breezes from the mountains kept its inhabitants refreshed and comfortable. Its rivers streamed with beautiful clear, cool waters There was plenty of natural, tasty food from the trees and plants that grew in abundance, providing a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. Oil and gas, products of the country, made quite a contribution to the economy of the nation.
The people were happy and lived comfortably in their various communities. They shared with each other and laughed and sang at their several festivities. The churches provided moral guidance for their flocks and the non-Christians lived alongside the Christians in sufficient harmony to make life pleasant and tolerable.
Progress meant to improve the conditions of people’s lives brought hidden dangers. Becoming independent and a republic state produced a state of mind that made people a law unto themselves.. Like rebellious teenagers they refused to obey the laws of the land put there to protect its citizens. Hebrews 13:17 says “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves.”
They go through the red light and cause accidents. One couple gets killed and the baby miraculously escapes when a dangerous driver does just that Driving under the influence – a common pastime- gets the attention when someone or some persons are killed. The driver always feels he is in control, when he isn’t, sometimes falling asleep at the wheel. Speeding provides excitement for the young and not so young. With these fast Japanese cars the new take is he “lost control of the car”. The speedsters go so fast that they can’t bring themselves to a stop when the lights change and go crashing into drivers in front of them. In many cases the accidents result in serious injuries to others and are sometimes fatal.
Because of this flagrant abuse of the law by the grownups the youngsters show even greater contempt for it. Some of them turn to crime to get what they perceive to be their right. They rob those who they feel have too much while they have nothing and in real gangster style are prepared to use the gun to get what they want. The TV shows and films provide them with their role models. If you only mention the word censorship, the very people who might be at risk will cry out against their right to watch what they like. Because the law is not enforced in a timely manner, all sorts of misdemeanours take place to the chagrin of many, sometimes to the amusement of a few.
Some persons feel they can live off the wealth of others. They feel some rich people get wealthy by dishonourable means and so deserve to part with some of it. Those who claim to have worked hard for their riches are seen as riding on the backs of the poor by paying them measly wages. Proverbs 11:28 says “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
The crime situation has got so bad that everyone is crying out against it. Some are calling on the country to repent. The Prime Minister, alarmed at all the negative publicity, has called on the citizens to repent. Jesus himself warns in Luke 13:3 “but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” We are all paying for our lawlessness; we are all gradually perishing.
(Quotes taken from the Authorized King James Version)
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