It probably did not take an expert to tell us that milk will spoil a week past its expiration date. The obvious, however, is now not so clearly accepted. Lip-puckering sour fruit may have vibrant colors, but they also come with a punch, e.g., lemons, grapefruit, kumquats, etc. Sweetness holds its own distinction. No one believes sugar is bitter. Milk chocolate is clearly not acidic. No one eats a Red Savina Habanero pepper, which has a 510,000 SHU spice rating, and calls it sweet. Anyone who would pose such a thought must defy the law of the receptor cell which sends the signal to the brain.
These definitions have been set long before the inception of our current culture. In fact, the spectrum of bitter and sweet was established at the birth of mankind. Today, however, there exists a deconstruction of absolutes.
The prophet told us of this day: Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
The spirit of the age is deconstructing holiness, purity, and decency by calling it evil. Even religious people are rebranding the attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit in order to excuse bitter attitudes. It is the reordering of biblical truths to accommodate personal vices. The issue is worldliness.
I am wondering how the Apostolic Pentecostal can justify immorality, or gossip, or disobedience to authority and call it “sweet?” How can church members who know the scripture offer dishonor in place of kindness and call it pleasant?
The carnal man is not the only one deconstructing the Scripture. The church is engaged in the very same thing. The preached Word is either rebuffed or received as a “suggestion.” Teaching is often discarded. Television and media are routinely preferred over prayer times and Wednesday Bible study. The list goes on. When we redefine submission and holy living, what makes us different from the world? I tell you, that milk is spoiled! The Lord knows it. The Devil knows it. I know it. Just because something is called good does not make it good. It is foolish to believe that God is not keeping score.
Our secular society is void of godly virtues. I expect the world to be carnal. The concern is the attitude and actions of the church. To that end, let me remind you: 1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole