On Goin' Up The Down Road
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
Years ago, old timers would say, when asked where they were headed, ” I’m goin’ up the road a piece.” Now, that was said whether they were going north, south, east or west — or whether they were going up in elevation or down in elevation. Today, there’s a “down road” of degradation that many folks are going up, and it is not just “a piece” — it’s a “fer piece” they’re traveling. And, they are not just strolling casually up that road — they are running flat out. In the past fifty years, our country has seen a decline in moral values that has been unsurpassed by any other time in the history of our nation.
Paul describes the condition of the Gentiles who had left God and, consequently, whom God had “given up” in Romans 1:18-32. When they refused to have God in their knowledge, they threw off all moral restraints. When man becomes a standard to himself, his pleasure is found in the exploration of new appetites of gross degeneracy — in living for no higher goal than self-indulgence — he will not be content to live in harmony with the way he was created (cf. Romans 1:25-28).
Whom shall we blame for this self-indulgent mindset? Well, the “Hollywood crowd” has certainly accelerated the pace. Not only do they glory in their shame, but they praise themselves for their skills, awarding themselves for their immorality — openly ridiculing God and the Bible — and we watch it! But there would be no Hollywood influence, if folks didn’t want to watch it.
What current “sitcom” does not in some way glorify homosexuality? And the “Soaps” are a daily diet for those who enjoy the display of adulterous affairs. The pornography business is increasing at a rapid rate throughout the Internet — have we checked our emails lately?
But in the final analysis, each person chooses to watch or not. What we see does have an effect on our behavior (and our children’s behavior as well) — even if it does no more than deaden our consciences so that we do not feel a sense of shame.
Brethren and friends, the time has long past for us to say, “Enough is enough.”
We know that terrorism is a very present danger to our society. However, the greater danger is the loss of moral values. This will not only cause the downfall of our country, but it will cause eternal, soul destruction (cf. Amos 1:1-15; Amos 2:1-16; Matthew 5:29-30; Matthew 10:28).
Let’s not be found “goin’ up the down road,” but rather be found walking up the “up road” — and not just “a piece” — this road requires a nobler walker who is determined to travel a “fer piece” (Matthew 7:13-14).