half of every conceivable cause (from economic to social to politi cal even to sponsoring legalization of all kinds of perversions) appear to be here to stay. The Munich Olympic Games revealed a new low in violence in an area where sportsmanship was the guideline, but flagrantly violated. Skyjacking has become a customary practice in spite of detecting devices, pre cautions, warning of governments, who are hamstrung in their efforts to stop these piracies. Even the world's leaders assembled at the UN were at a loss to deal with the malady when brought face to face with it. Civil war and violence con tinue in Ireland. The world has not yet recovered from the extreme violence of the civil strife between the parts of Pakistan, resulting in the birth of Bangladesh. Who is the physician who can diagnose the disease, so that we shall not be constantly occupied with symptoms instead of causes? God alone has indicated the cause and the cure. Here it is from an ancient, but revealing, text: "Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of
God, and the earth was filled with violence" (Genesis 6:11, NASB). Please notice the order: when man corrupts his way before God, only violence on earth can result. Cause and effect were never more clear ly spelled out. The general low level of spiritual life and concern the world over is directly respon sible for the outbreak of violence and the casting off of restraint, so that life on earth is unsure and problematic at best. If the Scrip ture is clear on any point, it is on this: the cure is the regeneration of the human heart on the part of the unbelieving (John 3), and the exercise of believers to follow the clear promise and injunction of Isaiah 30:15: "In quietness and trust is your strength," and Philip- pians 4:5: "Let your forbearing spirit (Matthew Arnold translated it "your sweet reasonableness") be known to all men" (NASB). In an hour of unprecedented violence may we by the grace of God fol low the Lord of glory who exhorted us to follow Him, the meek and lowly One. There is no better time to start than now.
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