When the Darkness Is Condoned

Political and (sometimes) cultural commentator, Charles Krauthammer, recently observed that “Abortion critics have long warned that the problem is not only the obvious — what abortion does to the fetus — but also what it does to us.”

In the aftermath…(or should I say the “wake”?)…. of recent clandestine videos that clearly revealed the flippantly callous, moral bankruptcy of Planned Parenthood officials, I would certainly agree Mr. Krauthammer’s assessment. Mother Teresa would have been in agreement, as well…..

"Many people are concerned with children of India, with the children of Africa where quite a few die of hunger, and so on. Many people are also concerned about the violence in this great country of the United States. These concerns are very good. But often these same people are not concerned with the millions being killed by the deliberate decision of their own mothers. And this is the greatest destroyer of peace today- abortion which brings people to such blindness."
—Mother Teresa

It’s not exactly rocket science, but, for many folks today, it seems that what is patently obvious somehow still escapes them…

But, in a fallen world, where we are blinded by the effects of (capital “S”) Sin, I guess it’s just what happens….

When the Darkness Is Condoned

It’s what happens to a culture
When the darkness is condoned…
It’s what happens when what’s righteous
Meets Pro-Choicest hearts of stone.

It’s what happens when the fruitful
Turns to barren then decays…
When what’s full drains out to empty¹,
When God’s Grace does not amaze.

It’s what happens when foundations
Are dreamed up on shifting sands…
It’s what happens when the people
Disregard the Lord’s commands.

It’s what happens to a country
When there’s no more God to fear….
It’s what happens to the conscience
Over time when it’s been seared.

It’s what happens to a nation
When there’s no more light or salt…
And when shame is shamed to silence,
We pretend it’s no one’s fault.

It’s what happens to a people,
When the Truth is disavowed…
When the Word no longer matters,
When it’s shunned and disallowed.

It’s what happens when the classroom
Is Big Brother’s chief domain…
When the children learn their lesson:
Just be happy!...Life’s a game!

It’s what happens when the Gospel’s
Just opinion…That is all,
And Great Minds in seminaries
Are convinced there was no Fall.

It’s what happens when the Bible’s
Deconstructed and defaced…
It’s what happens when the churches
Proudly teach a cheaper Grace.

It’s what happens when there’s “progress”,
But then no one’s sure to where….
When The System’s seeking meaning
While it’s screaming “That’s not fair!”

It’s what happens when the idols
Climb the throne to what is Real,
And when idle pleasures dictate
What is “real” is what you feel.

It’s what happens to the ethics,
Of a culture sinking fast…
It’s what happens to the babies,
When they’re known as “tissue mass”.

Living God of Holy Scripture,
Speak through your sweet Living Word.
Father, we cry out for mercy…
May our hearts again be stirred!

May your Grace and Mercy move us…
Help us see Sin’s grim disease,
Help us know our condemnation…
Move us, Lord, onto our knees.

Holy Spirit, bring revival
To a darkened world that’s lost,
Shepherd, lead us back to Calv’ry,
Give us Grace to see the cost.

John 23: 34

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet (Rembrandt)

‘What injustice did your fathers find in Me,
That they went far from Me
And walked after emptiness and became empty?’ “—Jeremiah 2:4-5

¹ Jeremiah 2: 4-5

² John 23: 34