Inoculated Against Creation
| Author: Doug Sharp Subject: Creation Date: 1/22/98 |
I think that most of us are dismayed when we hear about someone who falls away after originally being enthusiastic about things of the Lord. It is even more disconcerting when this person becomesan anti-creationist. It is as if a switch is turned off, and there is no more life. It is as if they had just enough of the message of creation to build up an immunity.
I believe that Romans chapter 1 is a good explanation why we are fighting such an uphill battle, despite what I believe is overwhelming evidence for creation. For many of these people, you might as well be trying to argue with a fence post. The progression is like this:
Romans 1:16 – being ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
Romans 1:17 – lack of faith.
Romans 1:18 – holding the truth in unrighteousness.
Romans 1:19 – ignoring evidence God himself arranges personally right in front of them.
Romans 1:20 – ignoring evidence from the creation.
Romans 1:21 – thanklessness, vain imaginations.
Romans 1:22 – arrogance.
Romans 1:23 – worshiping the creation rather than the creator.
Romans 1:24 – lusts.
Romans 1:25 – changing the truth of God into a lie.
Romans 1:26 – vile affections.
Romans 1:27 – homosexuality (as an example).
Romans 1:28 – refusing to retain God in their knowledge.
The results:
Romans 1:28 -God gives them over to a reprobate mind.
II Thess 2:11 – God will send them strong delusion, that they will believe a lie.
Isaiah 66:4 – “I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear; but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.”
Apparently there is a point when God stops dealing with a person and turns them over to the results of their own choices. This happens after they continually refuse to listen to the voice of the Lord. Our task is to catch these people before they get to that point, while their heart is still tender toward him, and help reinforce their faith through love, encouragement, and instruction. Our battle is primarily spiritual, and one of wills, not of facts.The dilemma of the creationist is that they have to continually deal with those who are at Romans 1:28. They have wrapped around them many layers of protective shields that have accumulated through their constant rejection of the Lord.
“How be it this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”Matthew 17:21.
Doug Sharp