How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:14

The other day I had occasion to visit with a man who was quite vocal in his criticism of the younger generation.

Thinking there might be a devotion lurking around there, somewhere, I did a bit of research on youth. As I was googling the topic, I stumbled on this quote: "We have fallen on evil times and the world has grown very wicked. Governments are corrupt, and even children are no longer respectful to their parents."

Well, what do you think? Does that quote describe our world? Would it surprise you to find out this is not a quote from a modern-day politician who is running for election; nor does it come from a preacher on a Christian radio broadcast. No, that quote is translated from a clay tablet, which is kept in a Turkish museum: a clay tablet that is more than 4,000 years old.

That tablet proves the world's wrongdoing is not unique to our time.

Every age, every generation, has been plagued with a desire to sin. At the same time it denies any wrongdoing, any need for confession or a Savior. From the moment Adam and Eve first chomped down on the forbidden fruit, right up until this very hour, people have done their very best to deny their sinfulness and shame. They have done everything -- and I picked that word very carefully -- to avoid admitting they desperately need the Redeemer.

Because people are willing to do anything, they have invented gods and systems of belief which encourage them, through suffering and struggle, to work their way out of their sin and shame. Of course, in this religion of human invention they will never know if they have ever successfully done all that was necessary to appease their man-made gods, but they will try.

To avoid admitting their sin, shame and need for a Savior others have tried to pretend these things are a figment of their imaginations -- archaic memories of an ancient age. More than that, these doubters and deniers will do anything, everything, to encourage you to avoid the idea of sin, Savior, conscience, condemnation and forgiveness.

Of course, most people don't need much encouraging. Most people like the idea of being told they're okay just the way they are. Most people don't want to hang their heads in shame. Most people don't like admitting to sinful thoughts or actions.

Most people don't want a Savior.

No, they don't want a Savior, but they need Him, and it is that need which saw God's Son enter this world to seek and save the lost. Jesus' substitution for us -- in His life, and in His death -- is all part of God's plan to buy us back from our spiritual enemies. Jesus' resurrection is the Lord's assurance that all who believes on the Christ are forgiven, saved and will live in heaven.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I give thanks that You in Jesus have given us what we needed, not what we wanted. May we share His Name with a world that is still in denial. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 34, 37-38    Hebrews 10:1-18

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