Global and National Affluenza
There has been a story in the news about a young man who is accused of vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol, in which four people died during this incident as a result, and two were injured. To make a long story short, his defense attorney and psychologist used the term "affluenza" to describe the condition that he has. It is stated that the defendant is so rich, that he didn't know the difference between right and wrong. A person that doesn't use their conscience is indeed a dangerous person, and in big trouble before an accident or incident.
I found a backdrop to share on affluenza as follows.....
1. Social condition that affects a society because of the elevated number of individuals striving to be wealthy. People within the society feel that the only measure of success is determined by how much money and prestige a person has. Hey, does this sound familiar?
2. A social theory claiming that individuals with very privileged and wealthy backgrounds sometimes struggle to determine the difference between right and wrong due to the nature of their upbringing. Also known as sudden-wealth syndrome. (Remember that judgment will begin at the house of God).
Does the Global Church have Affluenza? You will have to answer that for yourself.
King James Bible
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Both of the definitions above supported the information given on the news concerning this condition. It made me really ponder some things and it provoked all of these thoughts about this. I said within myself this sounds like a global and national ideology and it sounds a lot like America and the Church.In Summation, it triggered what a reprobate looks like. A reprobate is one void of judgment, as the fool is described in the Book of Proverbs as one who despises reproof. This is a corrective word.
Everyone has a conscience, but not everyone uses their conscience. It is our inner judicial system. Moreover, one that doesn't use the conscience to judge between right and wrong, good and bad is dead in trespasses and sin. This is a real issue to have a conscience which can lie dormant and idle within the soul and forfeit the judgment needed to make a sound decision.
The defense attorney and psychologist had a point, but, their definition of the actions of this person is not affluenza, it is dead in trespasses and sins. This man didn't respect the boundaries set by the law of the land not to drink and drive, and that is his trespass. This trespass produced the sin of murder, and lying about the particulars. Oh, but the Ten Commandments could have given him some guidance and direction, even when his parents failed to.......thou shalt not kill. He could have considered the consequences of drinking and driving, know that you may just kill someone. It is stated that the young man suffered from affluenza a life style where wealth brought privilege, but there were no consequences for bad behavior. This sounds like a global/national problem as well. Sin is a global and national problem, before you get to become a criminal you are already a sinner, sin is the stem or root. There are wealthy people all around the universe who are suffering from this disease, wealth that brings privilege but there are no consequences for bad behavioral patterns of avarice and greed. It sure defines sinners at large, acts performed with no conscience or consideration of consequences.
We as believers have the Scriptures to assist us in how to use our consciences to make a good decision, we too can fail in the effort, yet the hope we have is the Bible. We are looking at the man/woman we are in the mirror of the Word and we are being asked to change our ways and to be conformed by renewing our minds to reflect truth.
Micah 6:8 - He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
How often are consequences really considered in society? To be conscious and aware of consequences is a disciplined way to think. It reminds of the words of Jesus.......narrow is the way that leads to life, but broad is the way that leads to destruction. The paths to destruction are endless, the hope we have is that we believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. We haven't escaped the consequences of our actions, but we rest in His finished works.
Believers know that they were once repeat offenders, some didn't commit crimes, just sin; but if it weren't for the grace of God, we don't really know what we would be capable of, as we were once dead in trespasses and sin too. We as Christians must make sure we don't have affluenza and amnesia....There is a snare in knowledge puffing up concerning A mighty God and riches, the cattle on a thousand hills belonging to our God and Father, having privileges but exhibiting bad and poor behavior. This condition of affluenza is applicable to anyone that doesn't examine and judge themselves. We have a Heavenly Father who affords us privileges of wealth, are we any different from this case scenario. Here's a open rebuke from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Revelation 3:17 ministers to this condition, here is ointment:
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
Jesus is talking about the Church in Laodicea, but it is applicable to the Church today. In other words, this condition is described as reprobate, being void of judgment. This premise caused me to think very intensely internally, not so much about the young man, but my own life systematically. I had never heard the terminology affluenza before and was somewhat shocked at such a diagnosis. But I know what Jesus counsels for these same symptoms, to buy of Him gold tried in the fire.
Revelation 3:18 - I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
What is the remedy for being a reprobate and void of judgment or affluenza?
Revelation 3:19 - As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.
King David in Psalm 23 said, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. The rod is for correction, whereas the staff it comforts sheep and lets them know that they are safe under the shepherds staff. King David came to the conclusion that both the rod and staff were both comforts. Judgment must begin at the house of God or we will become reprobate. Is the Church exhibiting affluenza of any kind? If there is any entity on the earth that should know the difference between right from wrong, it is the Church. We have the whole counsel of God to judge ourselves and the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. Jesus is coming back for a chaste bride, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Spots such as afflueza, resulting from a reprobate heart and mind. There is a warning in the Book of Revelation about this state.......and it is the answer and cure for affluenza.
Revelation 3:14-16 - King James Version (KJV)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
REPENT and RETURN is what we all must do, before this disease spreads and contaminates. . repentance should be our daily lifestyle, to make sure our conscience is working properly. Grace and peace.
