Dr. Charles Swindoll says, “You and I by birth, by nature, and by choice are inwardly depraved, which is to say we are entirely corrupt. That’s not to say that we have no good in us; we do. However, anything good in us has been tainted with evil. It touches everything. Without the redeeming power of Christ we cannot halt our moral slide” [unquote]. In Galatians Ch. 5, the Apostle Paul describes elements in this moral slide. It includes sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.” WOW! Paul says, “Anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” On the other hand, those who invite Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit to live in them reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Today, as followers of Jesus Christ, God is expecting us to set examples for the rest of society. God wants us to stand up for truth telling, justice, and righteous living, even when others fail to do so.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
