“Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die; Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats”
(Isaiah 22:13; 1Co 6:13)
Everywhere we turn we are bombarded by glib slogans. During the alleged COVID pandemic, when loved ones were forbidden from seeing one another, cultural megaphones everywhere reminded us that “we are in this together, just apart.” When the government was bent on getting the entire population vaccinated, those that were hesitant were branded as haters of humanity. Vaccination promotion posters read, “Don’t hate, vaccinate.” Of course we all remember hearing that “wearing is caring,” which was the glib slogan that accompanied the mask mandates. Though most of our government’s restrictions have been lifted, the superficial slogans remain. I was in a clothing store a while ago where I saw a sign that read “Live By Your Own Rules.” I asked the lady working there if that meant I could take what I wanted for free. “If you do,” she said, “you’ll be arrested and charged.” Wow, talk about false advertising! Suggesting that we live by our own rules sounds positive and empowering but obviously it would be a social disaster if we tried it. There has to be some rules in place to govern our behavior. Whose rules should we live by if not God’s? In a similar vein, I recently saw a T-shirt that had the slogan,“Follow your rebel heart” plastered across the front. Of course this is the worst advice a person could give. “The heart is deceitful above all things,” wrote the prophet, “and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Truth is not to be found inside, by looking within our hearts, but by looking outside of ourselves to the living God in Whom resides all the treasures of wisdom, knowledge, and moral goodness (Colossians 2:3; 1 John 1:5). Today’s verse passages contain glib slogans of the past, both reflecting a preoccupation with sensual pleasures and a careless, indifferent attitude towards the things of God. These sentiments are just as prevalent today. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). As Christians we think much differently. We choose not to be carnally minded, knowing that “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). As born-again believers in Christ, we use our regenerated minds to test all things, holding fast to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We see through the glib, trite, and practically meaningless slogans that permeate our culture. Instead, our minds fixate on the clear declarations of Scripture, which are able to make us wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). “This is a faithful saying,” wrote Paul, “and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1Timothy1:15a). Praise God for His word, which provides us with unchanging truth, patience, comfort, and hope (Romans 15:4).
God bless you,
Pastor John
English