First Christian Church

By Bruce Humes

Pastor

Truth be known, I think we all are looking for the year 2020 to come to a close so we can move on to 2021. This is certainly a year that won’t quickly be forgotten. The worldwide pandemic has changed the landscape of not only America, but the world for decades to come should the Lord tarry. We all would love to return to that which we thought was normal human behavior, but just as Sept. 11 changed the norms of society, so shall this worldwide pandemic change what we perceive as normal human behavior. Throw in some record-breaking wildfires, civil unrest and an election that revealed just how divided our nation truly is, and we can all understand the desire to move on.

The question we must ask ourselves is will simply changing the date on a calendar change anything? Will swearing in a new administration to run this nation change anything? Will a vaccine cure what ails America–and indeed the world? If we are honest with ourselves, the answer will be no. Why? Because what ails America and the world goes much deeper than what man can solve. It’s beyond the physical and reaches into the spiritual, the very heart and soul of man.

Genesis 6:5 says, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” He brought judgement in the form of a worldwide flood, destroying all but eight people. So, what does this wickedness look like?

In Proverbs 6:16-19, we read about the seven things God hates: “These are things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to him: (1) A proud look, (2) a lying tongue, (3) hands that shed innocent blood, (4) a heart that devises a wicked plan, (5) feet that are swift in running to evil, (6) a false witness who speaks lies, and (7) one who sows discord among the brethren.” I believe we see these seven things in abundance today in the heart of man. The prophet Isaiah wrote in chapter 64:6: “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind have taken us away.”

The apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans put it like this in 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And in Proverbs 16:18, we read: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” We see the heart of man is prideful, desires power and wealth, and will do anything to attain it. It desires to control and manipulate man for his own good and desires to make that which is good evil, and evil good. So, the spiritual battle rages beyond what we can physically see, but itis manifest in the physical, or that which we can see.

The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (physical), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.” We as a nation and the world must recognize this and stop putting our trust in men, and instead seek that which can truly change the hearts and souls of men.

Verse 12 explains why our battle is not just physical, but also spiritual, and verses 13-18 explain what we must do to win that spiritual battle: “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit.”

So, for our New Year’s resolutions, let’s heed the apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:10-11: “Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Do we want 2021 and beyond to be different than 2020? Do we want to win this spiritual battle? Then we must set aside all our worldly lusts and desires, confess them, repent of them, and seek that which can change the sinful heart of man, the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you want to speak to someone at the church or if you have a need, call First Christian Church office at (562) 431-8810. Leave a message, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.