HUMAN MORALITY AND FRAILTY

May 2008 article by Norman Phillips

The month of April has passed and on reflection we can ask ourselves, from a world-wide perspective to national and local levels – have our situations changed? From the standpoint of science, both general and medical, to engineering technology, we stand in awe of the rapidity of developments which are not always clear-cut or acceptable from a moral outlook.

Touching on the point of morality, though many endeavour to lead a good, principled life, this is where we, as the human race, fail. Whilst both you and I could go on and on about the many failings of human nature, including our own, that occur day by day, let me highlight just three that have occurred in April.

On the African continent, just to mention one area, in Zimbabwe people are beaten, tortured and murdered because one tyrannical despot is determined to hold on to the power with which he has subjugated the people and brought the country near to starvation and ruin. In Austria a father stands accused of imprisoning his daughter for many years and subjecting her to horrendous abuse. In this country we see a loving father beaten and kicked to death by a gang of youths because he asked them to stop vandalising his property.

What on earth has gone wrong?

When we see so many evils perpetrated, the question that is often asked is “if there is a God why does he allow such evil and suffering to take place?” The answer to that question is that God has given mankind the gift to think and reason for oneself. But instead of using the gift for good, many use this gift in a selfish way to satisfy a lust for power and greed. Our heavenly father recognises this and tells us so in the Bible. In James chapter 1 verses 14 and 15 we read: “Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lusts and enticed. Then when lust has conceived it bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is finished brings forth death”. Also, in Jeremiah 17 v 9 says “The heart (of man) is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked”. So we can see from scripture, the Word of God, man is responsible for the wickedness that prevails in the world.

God will not, however, allow this wickedness to continue, for He has appointed a time when the way of man will end. This will be done by promise. God will return His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth in “power and great glory” to overturn the kingdoms of men and set up His Father’s Kingdom on earth and rule victorious. Peace and harmony will prevail and evil will be no more, and the Kingdom will last for ever. What then will that Kingdom be like? We are given some idea – read for yourselves the following Bible passages: Isaiah Chapter 11, verses 4-10, Chapter 64 verse 4 and Revelation Chapter 21 verse 4.

We can be part of this wonderful Kingdom on earth by learning about God and His Son, and being baptised into the saving name of Jesus. Take that step now.