How Should We Then Live?

Here are some recent headlines in the news: “Radical Islam breaks into American prisons,” “Greek debt worries hit global shares,” European debt crisis may result in global spillover” “Stagflation is here,” “The great food crisis of 2011” and “US Housing collapse steeper than thought.” It’s not good news. Why?

In 1976 Francis Schaeffer wrote a book and produced a video series titled “How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture.” Dr. Schaeffer’s work was in applied philosophy and theology. The book begins with an analysis of the fall of Rome and then looks at key moments in history up to the atomic age. Schaeffer presents the reasons for society’s critical state of affairs and then offers hope—the good news of Jesus Christ. Towards the end of the book he writes,

"Overwhelming pressures are being brought to bear on people who have no absolutes, but only the impoverished values of personal peace and prosperity. The pressures are progressively preparing people to accept a manipulative, authoritarian government. Unhappily, many of these pressures are upon us now."

Dr. Schaeffer then lists these pressures: economic breakdown, war and the serious threats of war, terrorism, political violence, the radical redistribution of wealth, shortages of food and natural disasters. In 1976 Schaeffer’s words were prophetic! Here we are today where he said we would be.

What can be done? The Bible says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12).”  The Old Testament prophet Hosea declared, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).” This was not a lack of scientific, academic or political knowledge. It was a lack of knowledge concerning God and His will for mankind. So many people lack this biblical knowledge today.

The Lord Jesus Christ made this promise: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:12).” There may not be much that we can do to stop the world from spinning out of control. But you can bring your life into control and fill it with light, love and peace. Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).” Following Him is the answer to the question “How Should We Then Live.”

If you would like to know more about how to follow the Lord Jesus Christ you can. The church I pastor offers a foundational Bible class titled “Powerful Christian Living.” This class is offered free of charge in both audio and written formats at the “Teachings” section of our web site,

www.graceministryinternational.org

You will need a New King James Version of the Bible for the class, and a heart that wants to learn. Finally, if you are in the Chicago area you are welcome to worship with us on Sundays at 10:30 AM, at the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Rd, Lake Forest, Illinois.