walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation [or manner of living], in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Now some people remind us man is like the steamboat which always toots the loudest when it’s in a fog. Confusion reigns supreme in the minds of many would-be coun selors. This is the price men pay for substituting human reason for the authority of the Bible. Psychologi cal adjustment isn’t enough to com municate satisfying answers to life’s most serious questions. Something more is needed. It’s a case of the blind leading the blind when they don’t point men and women to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible does more than recognize that man has a need. It testifies to the reason for that need. The Bible never indulges in back-slapping, seeking to inflate one with a sense of self-importance. God tells the truths about us. This forever sets the Word of God apart from all other books. Without Christ as personal Saviour, an individual is dead in trespasses and sins. We don’t like to face the facts, especially when they’re so forcefully present ed to us. Pain-killing drugs can cre ate greater ease but not effect a cure. So with man’s explanations of his own problems and needs. A body without physical life is said to be dead. If God’s life is not infused and energized in a spiritual manner, as far as intellect, emotions and will are concerned, a person is spiritually dead. Anything less than this spiritual experience abandons us to a life of unsatisfied spiritual hunger. The word “trespass” refers to a misdeed of falling down when a per son should stand upright. “Sin”
IN TIMES LIKE THESE
by Dr. Lloyd T. Anderson, Biola Tour Teacher and Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church of West Covina, Calif.
C hapter O ne T here is assurance in the Bible that as believers we can live a vic torious life in the Lord. In Ephe sians 2:1-10 we have a tremendous passage, bearing on the subject of our relationship to Jesus Christ. This should be studied and appreci ated by every child of God. This sec tion contains the important truth that it is by grace that we are saved through faith. Today crime and violence are on the upsweep. Days of social revo lution are full upon us. The spirit ual temperature across the whole land is beginning to decrease in a very sizable fashion. Ethical values are being scoffed at. by the people and materialism is a god to multi tudes. Holiness, truth and integrity are forgotten concepts. People live beyond their means as status is sought. Nuclear destruction raises its ugly head, showing its destructive fangs. No wonder civilization is near the breaking point. Only God has the answer. Man needs a Saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ is God’s per fect provision for every need. Verses 1-3 in this passage show our spiritual condition before salva tion : “Wherein in time past ye 14
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