Have you looked around wondering how we got here? The moral, social, and spiritual decay of our society seems like it has entrapped all of us in some way. Romans 1 warns of the dangers of abandoning faith in God and reveals how the truth sets us free from the lies of the culture and the captivity of our feelings.
As Christians, we are reminded that our hope is not in the whims of celebrities, politicians, or governments but in the eternal kingdom of God. When anxiety, hopelessness, and fear threaten to consume us, we can find true freedom in the Bible, which reminds us of our identity in Jesus Christ.
The Entanglements that Lead to Captivity
As Christians, our allegiance must be to the Kingdom of God and the multi-ethnic family of God. Faith in God is the reason for our salvation, and people with faith in God can never be controlled by another. But what happens when a civilization abandons faith in God?
In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul outlines a sobering progression that leads to the collapse of civilization. The path begins with truth suppression and ends with moral destruction. Understanding these steps is crucial for us to recognize the dangers of abandoning our faith in God.
Truth Suppression
The first step on this road to ruin is the suppression of truth. Romans 1:18 tells us that the wrath of God is revealed against those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
- “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…”
This suppression is not due to a lack of truth; rather, it's a deliberate choice to ignore or distort what God has made evident. As humans, we are created in the image of God, endowed with a moral conscience that inherently knows right from wrong. Yet, when we choose to suppress this truth, we lose our moral compass, leading to confusion and chaos. Truth suppression begins with attacking the word of God, the evidence of God, the ways of God, and the people of God. True freedom in the Bible comes from submitting to God’s truth.
God's Demotion
Once truth is suppressed, the next step is the demotion of God. Romans 1:21 explains that although people knew God, they did not glorify Him as God.
- “…although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
In our modern context, this manifests as placing feelings over facts, where personal desires and emotions become the ultimate authority. This self-idolatry leads to a confused identity, as we attempt to define ourselves apart from the Creator who made us.
Man's Deification
With God dethroned, humanity elevates itself to the position of deity, or self-idolatry. Romans 1:22-23 describes how we exchange freedom in the Bible for the captivity of culture.
- “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.”
In this passage, Paul warns against exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for images resembling mortal man. This self-deification results in a society where everyone does what is right in their own eyes, leading to moral anarchy and societal decay.
Moral Destruction
The final step is moral destruction, where God gives people over to their own desires. Romans 1:24-25 warns that the result of this is moral anarchy, where they dishonor their bodies and worship creation rather than the Creator.
- “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
This is the tragic outcome of a civilization that has turned its back on God, leading to a breakdown of moral order and the collapse of societal structures.
Finding Freedom in the Bible
With a culture that seeks to entangle us through truth suppression, demoting God, and self-idolatry, many are left feeling uncertain of what is true, entangled with sin, and unable to stand firm. But this is not God’s way for His people. He gave us His Word, so we can find true freedom in the Bible.
Freedom is Finding a Foundation
Through His Word, we lay a firm foundation upon which we can build our lives. It is unchanging and eternal, providing stability in a world that is constantly shifting. By aligning our lives with the truth of Scripture, we can navigate the paths of life with confidence and peace.
Freedom is Finding Guidance
Through His Word, we are guided on a path that leads to righteousness. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s Word leads us to conduct that is pleasing to Him, healthy for us, and beneficial to others.
Freedom is Finding Truth
Through the Bible, we find freedom from deception. Jesus declared in John 8:32, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” The truth of God's Word gives us clarity and direction in a world of enticements and entanglements.
Freedom is Finding Hope
Through His Word, we find freedom to hope. We discover that our hope is not in ourselves or this world's systems but in the God of heaven. As we place our faith in Him, we can rise above the entanglements of this life and find peace in His presence.
Takeaway
Freedom in the Bible is found when we actually discover and come to know the Author, therefore finding true freedom in Christ.
In these challenging times, it is crucial for Christians to remember our true identity and allegiance. True freedom is not in political parties or human institutions but in the kingdom of God and the multiethnic family of God. By seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness, we can rise above the chaos and confusion of our world and live as beacons of hope and truth (Matthew 6:33).
As we navigate our culture, let us hold fast to the truth of God's Word, finding freedom in the Bible as we allow God’s words to transform our minds and guide our actions. By being faithful, we can be agents of change in a world that desperately needs to find freedom from the entrapments of deception and decay. Let us stand firm in the freedom in the Bible, proclaiming the truth of God’s Word with conviction and compassion, and trusting in the God who is our ultimate hope.
Is there hope for our nation? Discover how the principles of freedom in the Bible give us hope in uncertain times by listening to The Well Podcast with Pastor Phil Hopper, Pastor Chad Glover, and host Les Norman.