I read a quote today that could begin a thesis on how the world perceives things during these dark, dreary days we now find ourselves in. The author states, “It’s not that God is being replaced by technology, but that He ceases to be relevant for many because of it.” At first glance, I took umbrage with this statement, as most Christians probably would. But then I calmed down and read it again, slowly, and caught the drift of what was being said. You know what? I’m sad to say he may be ‘spot-on’ with his line of thinking. The statement itself borders on the profound.
A God that is no longer relevant to the world we live in today. Do tell.
Carl Sagan wrote (and I’m paraphrasing) that as people replace the mystery and awe of spiritual institutions (church and religion) with science and technology, they will find themselves becoming more gullible to false religions and also susceptible to junk science. I highly doubt that ‘ol Carl cared a hoot about religion to begin with, but in many ways the truth of his manner of thinking, at least in this case, has been proven correct.
It’s been thousands of years since the Red Sea parted or someone was raised from the dead. No one has displayed the ability to walk on water lately. (Although it may seem as though some might have the skills to do so) I can name many, countless miracles from the Bible as it is full of examples of such written therein. Yet the miracles that fill us with wonder and awe these days are no longer portents of faith, only products of our science and technology. Christianity is considered passé, beliefs from a past age that are no longer relative or current for the discernment of modern man. At the same time other ancient religions, Wiccan for example, are becoming popular and all the rage. But I believe that even more so, religions as a whole have been usurped by worship of technology and deeper still, the worship of our government. Your faith cannot change your financial status, but the government can. God cannot or will not heal you, but modern medicine along with our breakthroughs in technology can save the day. There will be no Great Tribulation or Great White Throne judgment, but we should be getting prepared for global warming and/or climate change. And this new religion is punctuated daily by the sacrifice of unborn children on an altar built of free-thinking, choice, and political correctness.
Exodus 20: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
These verses constitute the first two of the Ten Commandments as delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai over three-thousand years ago. They are more than commandments; they are warnings that have apparently been disregarded by our world today. God allows no one and no thing to take his place in our lives if we are going to reside in His will. And these verses close with the promise that if we keep His commandments, we will in turn receive mercy.
The world does not need more knowledge. Our country does not need advanced technological enlightenment. We as people do not need yet another government program. What is needed today, in the worst way, is a Savior. I’m not talking about a political leader; though I’m convinced one will be coming down the pike before too much longer. I’m taking about a Savior that can deliver us from our sins and make us right with God. A Savior like that is worthy of our worship and adulation, while neither technology nor government never will be.
It is wise to obey the laws put in place by our leaders, it is good to vote and pay taxes, and I will always do those things. To fail to do so would be wrong and sinful on my part. Yet at the same time, it is important that I be careful of what I serve and to whom I bow down to. A Christian should be able to discern the difference, while always remembering that God is indeed relevant in everything.
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