“You, However”: (Must Read)

This
began in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. God had provided enough,
absolutely all they needed. But in the midst of all the blessings of
Eden stood the forbidden tree. The crafty serpent enticed Adam and Eve
that this forbidden fruit was something better. Because they did not
resist the temptation, their disobedience resulted in what theologians
call “original sin”. And ever since that time mankind has had a hard
time resisting the forbidden!

Whatever level of wickedness appeases the sinful cravings
for a time will eventually be insufficient.

The daily verse is a succinct description of fallen humanity. The
pronoun, “They”, is referring to the human race. It describes all of us
apart from the redemptive work of Christ. But today especially consider
the phrase “a continual lust for more”. It began in the garden
with a desire for more. It’s at the heart of the sin problem. Whatever
level of wickedness “satisfies” the sinful cravings for a time will
eventually be insufficient. More will always be needed. The progression
can be seen in so many of Satan’s vices such as gambling, drugs and
pornography. 

The ungodly make big business out of every kind of impurity.
Pornography, prostitution, vulgar media, and every other kind of
impurity make up one of the largest industries in our country. The vast
majority of it is open, shameless, legally protected and only a tap
away. Some time ago a Christian leader observed that many of the books
published in the United States today rival the drippings of a broken
sewer. This preceded the massive availability through the internet and
other modern media. Now the drippings have become a surging flood.

With the flood of evil, pornography and perversions sweeping through
our land and around the world many who have partaken have “a
continual lust for more”. Deeper and deeper depths of depravity can
be expected and the evil acts that accompany it. We should not be
surprised by the continuing depth of depravity, although in another
sense we should be.

“You, however, did not come to know Christ that way”
(Ephesians 4:20). Those who experience the life transforming power of
Jesus Christ are different. As a result of genuine conversion we are
regenerated and the slide into decadence stops and the renewal begins
(Romans 12:1,2). We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Rather
than having a continual lust for more wickedness we become seekers of
God’s Kingdom and desire more purity and righteousness.

As we conclude our message an old hymn comes to mind, one that we
haven’t heard for many years.