When I asked the simple question: "Have you considered adoption?" Her quick reply was: "Oh no! I could never give my 'baby' up! What a transformation for this young would-be mother! That [the] "fetus," instantly became (to this pregnant woman) [a] "my 'baby.'"
Hence, the intellectually immoral bankruptcy of the pro-death [pro-choice] position and crowd! When faced with life for her child with potential adoption, this would-be mother, who was considering the opposite, all of a sudden and schizophrenically did an about-face. She would be selfish enough to have an abortionist kill her baby rather than experience someone else caring for her child. In her clouded mixed up mind, the baby wasn't her responsibility - while it lived within her. But if her child were to reach the light of day and be given to someone else, through the adoption process, this child, [then] was worthy of death. I call this type of pro-death [pro-choice] mentality, "Demonic." And, I am reminded of the Scripture:
"But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death." Proverbs 8:36"
THE CULTURE OF DEATH HAS ALWAYS EXISTED
The culture of death has existed since sin entered the world [Genesis 3:1f ; Romans 5:12] By its very (intrinsic nature) the culture of death chooses death over life. It chooses to rid the earth of innocence. [Acts 3:14-15] It chooses to ignore the Creator and worship the creation. [Romans 1:18-32] That which is contrary to Holy Creator God and His Commandments; - and perfection; belong to the culture of death.
DEATH WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE PART OF LIFE
The Scriptures explain the transition from perfection to imperfection; from holiness to ungodliness; from a rightful place and position before Holy God, to an inferior contaminated position before His holy presence and divine expectations. Genesis 3:1f ; Romans 5:10-24
THE CULTURE OF DEATH'S TEMPORARY TRIUMPH
No greater example can be given for the culture of death's triumph than what it did to Jesus Christ. It was some 2,000 years ago that the sinless person of the Lord Christ was crucified. To most of the people at the site of this common Roman punishment, Christ's crucifixion was just another common ultimate and just penalty carried out against the worst of criminals. However, it was Creator God's plan and manner to provide a remedy for human sin in the sacrifice of Christ, His Son, who was [is] the spotless "Lamb of God," whose life mission was to bare the world's sins. John 1:29
CHRIST TRIUMPHED OVER THE CULTURE OF DEATH AT THE ROMAN CROSS
Jesus Christ was not, and is not a god, who is the figment of a person's imagination or liking. Christ was a genuine flesh and blood person whose birth upon the human scene was prophesied hundreds of years before His actual birth. His whole life was prophesied in the Holy Scriptures. [Isaiah 53:1f] His holy life was a special life, of teaching, suffering, death and resurrection from the dead. [1 Corinthians 15:1f] It was a life, whose purpose was to break down and triumph over the culture of death forever; thereby making it possible for sinners to be forgiven of their sins and to be granted a right standing before a holy and just God, who must punish sin to its fullest.
Now, just because Christ was sacrificed and died for all human sin; that no more translates into a sinner being forever saved from those sins and with God forever in heaven; no more than a cookie jar automatically possesses cookies within it. A non believer in Christ must come to faith in Him in order to experience the forgiveness benefits of Christ's suffering and death sacrifice for him. John 3:1-21 ; Ephesians 2:1-9
FRIEND, if you are unable to comprehend what I've been saying; I can somewhat, understand your quandary. You, of your own, cannot make yourself a believer in these priceless spiritual truths. [1 Corinthians 2:14] Nor can you (of your own) embrace Christ as your Savior from all of your sins against God and His Ten Commandments.
Human reason or effort will not bring you and your sins to an end of yourself. You cannot manufacture or drum up saving faith in your heart. Your human faculties do not have the power or strength to make you a believer in Jesus Christ and all that He has to offer you - especially the forgiveness of all of your sins; without, which will certainly damn your priceless soul in a forever [eternal] hell of torment and suffering. [Luke 16:19-31] Hence, you are stuck in your own damning unbelief. Your own struggle cannot save you from God's just wrath and punishment upon your human soul, because of your grievous sins against Him and your fellowman. Unless the grace and mercy of the Triune God attends your being, [Ephesians 2:1-9] you will be separated from Him now and in the forever future. Luke 16:19-31
Then, what is your hope? What is your lot? What is your future? That hope, lot, and future can only be found in the Lord Christ, who gave his perfect life up in sacrifice for you and all your sins. God was gracious to provide you with a Savior. He was gracious to provide you with His written revelation, as it is found in the historical pages of Holy Scripture [the Bible]. What will you do? Will you ignore that "will of God" Scripture for your life? Will you stubbornly allow pessimissm, skepticism and unbelief to ignore the present and eternal life He offers to you, through Christ, the Savior?
MY FRIEND - don't be any means "miss the boat!" Read and study those Scriptures. They are God's means of grace to break forth saving faith within your being. Only through God's Word can His Holy Spirit create that saving faith within your stoney and rock hard, heart of unbelief! [Romans 1:16 ; Romans 10:17 ; 1 Peter 1:23 ; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 ; Acts 8:26-39] And, when by God's grace, you read and hear about this Christ, your heart will be moved to believe and receive that Divine sacrifice on your behalf. [John 1:12-13 ; John 3:1-21] Don't wait for another day when you feel it is convenient to seek after true wisdom. [Proverbs 1:f ; Proverbs 8:1f ; Colossians 2:3] Rather seek the Lord where He may be found [Isaiah 55:1f]. Seek Him in the Book with which He has gifted this sinful world!
May you, by God's grace, become a member of the culture of life and not remain in the culture of death.
Amen.
ABOVE MESSAGE AND RELATED SCRIPTURES [BELOW] -- INTENDED TO BE UTILIZED IN A SIMPLE WORSHIP FORMAT:
Also: For a couple of other (more formal) worship formats:
The Order of Morning Service
The Order of Matins
RELATED SCRIPTURES TO THE ABOVE MESSAGE
Proverbs 1:1f ; Proverbs 8:1f -- Then read: Colossians 2:3 ; 1 Corinthians 1:24 ; 1 Corinthians 1:30
Acts 8:26-40 -- The account of the Ethiopian Eunuch coming into the Christian Faith
John 15:1f -- Christ's disciples, abiding in Him, will not be overcome by the culture of death
"Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak" -- by Victor Buksbazen -- an in-depth view of Isaiah 53:1-12 and the prophecy of Christ, hundred of years before his birth. Isaiah 53:1-12 underscores the truthfulness of Divine Revelation as exemplified in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
The Christian Faith: Parts 1-3
1 -- What is meant by "Believing" and / or, being, "Saved?"
2 -- How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3 -- What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been "Saved" [is a Christian believer]?
Please Note: Topical Christian Messages, by subject
Pastor (Emeritus) Nathan Bickel
Please also note:
The "Words in Season" topical messages and related worship formatare not intended to discourage or replace the Christian worship and assembly of Christians at their particular places of church worship. As this website's author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find the topical messages and related worship format and other material, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
