Frog in the Pot

"Then the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'" - Genesis 3:4-5

I am certain you have heard the story of the Frog in the Pot. If not I will share it now. If you bring a pot of water to a boil and toss a frog in the pot it will hop right back out. But, if you put a frog in a pot of water at room temperature and the slowly turn the heat up until the water is boiling, the frog will stay in the pot until it is cooked - time for frog's legs! You get the idea. 

My point - that is the same way that someone or something can change people's thinking and doing.  You don't hit them with the full lie all at once. But start with a mere suggestion. How do you eat an elephant? Yep - one bite at a time. I have watched the culture in the United States drift farther and farther away from what was once called moral. That is not to say that we, as Christians, have not been guilt of hating both the sin and the sinner - and feeling justified. That to our shame.

Let me use foul language as an example. There was a time when it could not be used in movies and would never be used by men in the company of women and children. Then an exception was made in the movies where "light" swear words could be used. But not on television. Then over time - more and more words were added to the list of acceptability. And television was opened up. Now today - words that would never have been imagined to be in movies and television and not in the printed media are uncensored. "How did we get there?"  asked the frog.

"For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." - Romans 5:7-9

So day be day - like water wearing away at a stone in the river - change happens. And then one day - you ask - how did we get to this place where what is clearly contrary to God's expressed will for mankind has been perverted - up ended. A Haitian saying - Ti Pa Ti Pa - little step by little step - that's how.

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!" - Isaiah 5:20-21

Let me close with this scripture and then I want you to meditate on it in light of where our country and culture  is today. Just so you know that I am not making it up. The trouble we face today is not new - it has been with us since the fall in the Garden.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." - Romans 1: 18-32

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone