SAVE YOURSELF FROM THIS EVIL GENERATION
TEXT:
"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." (Acts 2 verse 40, King James Version)
Today's Scripture is taken from Peter's exhortation to the Jews that gathered on the day of Pentecost, saying, "Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
An untoward generation is one that is "perverse" or "crooked" (Deuteronomy 32 verse 5; Matthew 17 verse 17; Philippians 2 verse 15). One general characteristic of such a generation is that it is corrupt in principle, and wicked in conduct. This kind of generation is one that is without restraint towards evil and every form of wickedness. It is one that is generally ungodly, having no fear of the Almighty to guide their conduct.
Amongst them are those who claim to know God, yet exhibit brazen acts of corruption and wickedness, thereby making a mockery of God before the world. Many of such are in Church settings, men who ought to be light to the world, but are themselves the epitome of darkness, corruption and wickedness.
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate." (Titus 1 verse 16). The Bible says that "from such turn away." (2nd Timothy 3 verse 5).
To run our Christian race well, we should never forget that as "strangers" and "pilgrims" here on earth, we are to "abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;" (1st Peter 2 verse 11).
Many Christians don't understand that when we are born again, it's the spirit that is saved, but not the soul. Every man has the responsibility to save his own soul (James 1 verse 21; Hebrews 10 verse 39; 1st Corinthians 15 verse 2; 1st Peter 1 verses 9 and 22). It's either that your soul sides with your already regenerated spirit, making you spiritual or it sides with your flesh, making you fleshy, carnal. The choice is yours because God made everyone to be a free moral agent.
"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:" (Deuteronomy 30 verse 19).
God gave us a choice, but He told us what choice to make, to choose life, to choose God. Yet we can’t do that when we allow ourselves to be influenced or overwhelmed by the lifestyles of this "perverse" or "crooked" generation that we live in. All around us is corruption, evil, wickedness. The Christian must remind himself constantly that he's the light of the world (Matthew 5 verses 14 to 16); that in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, he's to shine as light in the world (Philippians 2 verse 15).
Actually, God gave us the authority to run our lives. But to run our lives independent of God is a wrong choice because it portends death. Since the way of man isn't in himself, it's advisable to align our lives with God!
"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jeremiah 10 verse 23).
God calls us to put forth our own power and effort to be saved and except we do so, we will never be saved.
Our responsibility is to preserve ourselves from the influence, opinions, and the fate of this generation. It implies that we are to use diligence and effort to deliver ourselves from the perverseness and crookedness that pervades our generation.
The world is darkness, but we are the light of the world. Things that are common with the world shouldn't be mentioned about us.
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." (Ephesians 5 verse 11).
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5 verses 15 to 16).
PRAYER:
Lord thank You for saving me. All the days of my life, I walk circumspectly in wisdom, knowing that the days are evil; in Jesus name.