A few years ago, one used to hear preachers thunder against the sin of alcohol and its abuse from pulpits across this land. Now, however, it seems that the “whisper “we hear now is against drunkenness. It seems that, for whatever reason, we have come to the conclusion that one may imbibe that which the Bible says is a “mocker” and a “brawler” (Proverbs 20:1) as long as it is done in “moderation.” Now, despite the fact that alcohol is addictive and many alcoholics start with just taking that first drink, we hear no words of warning, only sounds of concession. Wut happened?

A few years ago, we heard with equal clarity the dangers of tobacco use, and was told that tobacco harmed the body, and was sinful. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19-20 were used to emphasize that we were to take care of our bodies that God gave us, and that we should not take anything in them that would purposefully harm them. Now, however, many pulpits are silent as a tomb on tobacco use. Was it a sin a few years ago, or have we “grown” to the point that it is not now? Did God change his word? Wut happened?

Not so many years ago adultery was soundly and roundly condemned in pulpits across this land. For whatever reason, however, we don’t hear that condemnation as loudly as we once did. Perhaps due to the world’s standards infecting the church, and due to the explosion of pre-marital and extra-marital sex among leaders of the church we don’t find adultery condemned. Also because sex outside of marriage has become so prevalent among young and old alike it is not in the interest of the preacher to condemn this sin anymore. Wut happened?

Years ago homosexuality would never be named or mentioned – now, it is in our face daily on television, with dedicated channels on Direct TV and others blasting this sin into our homes. What once was never mentioned became something laughed at, and now accepted as a part of our society. And, we have politicians who, in an effort to appease the homosexual lobby, pontificate on “an obscure passage” in Romans as contrasted with the “loving attitude” expressed by our Lord in his Sermon on the Mount (I don’t know about you, but Romans is pretty clear to me on this sin – read Romans 1:26-27) Wut happened?

And what about the sin of covetousness? Do we hear of any condemnation from pulpits or from Christians in this country against this sin? Could it be that we are told DAILY that for happiness to exist we must have the newest, best ___________ on the market, and God’s command against covetousness becomes a dim recollection in our minds as we go after all the things of the world. Wut happened?

If one were to look at the catalog of sins listed in Romans 1; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-21 we have to ask – when was the last time we heard sermons denouncing these things in our lives? How about gossip? Impurity (would that include pornography?)? Strife? Fits of anger? Envy? Dissensions and divisions? Jealousy? Greed (we have a television show that is called “Greed” today)? Wut happened?

For some reason, we do not take God and His word seriously anymore. Perhaps it is because of Satan’s relentless attacks upon the Word of God, but we don’t take God seriously anymore. We go to hear preachers or others who explain away simple, clear Bible passages (especially on those subjects that we or someone we know may be guilty of) and leave feeling good about ourselves. But “feeling good” about ourselves doesn’t remove the guilt of sin, or the reality of God’s wrath on these sins. God has not changed! His Word has not changed! The way he feels about sin has not changed! He feels so strongly about sin that He curse this world because of sin (Genesis 3) and he sent his Son to take man’s place. If men choose not to avail themselves of God’s forgiveness and grace through Jesus, then they are destined to an eternal hell (God’s Word has not changed on that, either – Matthew 25:31-46).

While we do not like to discuss it, perhaps a renewed look at the wrath of God and his impending judgment on men will make all of us consider what he has repeatedly told his people time and time again – obey me or suffer the consequences.

At the same time, a renewed look at the wrath of God would also cause us as Christians to be more fervent in trying to help others see that God does love them, and wants more than anything else for them to be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). He hates sin, not just because it is against him, but because he knows what sin does to us. And he wants to save us all from it.

The story of the gospel is that God wanted man’s fellowship, but when man sinned that fellowship with God was broken. He drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden because of sin. He destroyed the earth by a flood in Noah’s day because of sin. He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of sin. He punished his own people, the children of Israel, because of sin. And God changes not (Malachi 3:6) – the only reason he hasn’t judged the world yet is because he wants to give man a chance to come back to him. It must be on his terms!

Jesus died and was raised to bring man back to God. Have you availed yourself of his loving, redeeming grace?