Skip to main content

Were the Good Old Days Really Good? (Eccl 7:10)

Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. (Ecc 7:10 NKJ)

There is a usual feeling among some that the older days were better. They think that, then, people were morally better, things were safer and more reliable, and the songs had more meaning than the songs sung today. It seems like the modern world has putrefied disgustingly. However, one doesn’t fail to understand that dirt doesn’t just come from nowhere. The sewage pipes of human nature were there all the time hidden beneath the refinements of culture. The vents were small and few, but grew larger and many as history thought it better to adjust culture to the vents of sewage than adjusting the vents to a non-justifiable culture. The reformers and repairers of the pipe either got weary of trying to stop the unstoppable or just flowed down with the seepage of dirt. It portends an imminent breakage of sewage and massive inundation of evil into history that the Bible calls as the Great Tribulation. But, we certainly, already now have a culture that increasingly adapts itself to the enjoyment of sewage – to just vent out everything and not act hypocritically. That is disastrous, of course; but, it doesn’t make the former days better as far as the existence of sewage is considered. The only difference is the uninhibited seepage of dirt.

Humanity then and now equally needs the removal of dirt from the inner human heart. The inner fountain must be cleansed and purified; or else, there is no hope. Transformation, NOT reformation, is the answer.

But, then, of course, the modern world is technologically and materialistically better than the former. For instance, communication is faster; which means on one hand that the harbingers of transformation have more pace and power at their disposal; but, it also means that sewage also has more pace and power at its disposal. So, the potent effect is equalized. Living conditions have certainly got better; but, not for all.

But, it is better to stop lamenting like a helpless fool who cannot handle the weeds from becoming a jungle.

Don't long for "the good old days." This is not wise. (Ecc 7:10 NLT)

One must become wise and learn to turn a chaotic wilderness into a beautiful garden. It needs equipment, sacrifice, and commitment. The goal is not to repair the broken sewers of culture; but, to purify the sources; certainly, a humanly impossible task. The goal is not to use the “good old days” case-story as the ideal; certainly not. We need to understand the principle of goodness and work accordingly in context of the present. God hasn’t sent the Spirit to restore the world to the good old days but to lead the children of God into the glorious liberty of the new creation. The Spirit-led don’t photocopy the 1920s to the 2020s. The Spirit-led simply obey the Spirit of true divine freedom.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rocketing Prices Make Vegetables and Fruits a Luxury in India

Prices of agro-products soar higher in India, making fruits and vegetables almost a luxury. The Times of India reports: "The price of almost every vegetables except onion and potato has gone up to 25 to 30 per cent in the wholesale market and retail price staggering up to 45 to 50 per cent. A random market survey revealed an increase in the price of spinach to Rs 40-45 from Rs 10-15 kg a few days back. "The price of tomato has gone up to Rs 55-60 from Rs 40 a kg and capsicum to Rs 60-80 from Rs 40 per kg at the start of this month. The price of onion has gone up to Rs 20 from Rs 15-18 per kg but still remained steady in the market. "Variation between the wholesale prices and retail prices is staggering between 25%-30%." (Lucknow: July 17, 2009). Lauki (bottle gourd) went from being Rs. 7-10 per kg to Rs. 40 per kg. The price of lentils has shot up to Rs. 85 per kg from Rs. 40-45 per kg. The saying "dal bhat ab ameeron ka khana hei" (lentils and rice are n...

Poll Results: Are all Mission Fields Harvest Fields?

On Monday, April 30, I started a poll on the following question: Jesus said: "The fields are ripe for harvest... I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." (Jn 4:35,38) DOES IT APPLY 2 NON-JUDEO LANDS AS WELL? They don't need preparation and sowing? Rather, they are as equally ripe for harvest as Judea-Samaria was because of previous labor by somebody (local indigenous religions and prophets!)? A total of 18 votes were cast with the following main results: YES = 9 I believe it wherever the gospel is preached and people respond. = 5 NO = 1 I'M NOT SURE = 0 One Scholar responded saying: "I think God's Spirit is at work with all people all the time through various way, and sundry ways as Hebrews says. hence they are ready for harvest... but the church is too slow to go." A Pastor responded saying: "I do believe that even in the remotest areas, the fields are alread...

Omniscience

Omniscience is an article of faith among people across various faiths that hold faith in the Supreme God. Omniscience baffles reason. How can God know all things beyond time: things that were, things that are, and things that will be? I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and [I know] the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but [are] a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw [some] of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:9-10) The biggest challenge comes in the form of the objection: 1. Knowledge is cognizance of something that exists. 2. The future doesn’t exist yet. 3. Therefore, one cannot know the future. There have been various reactions to this and attempts to try to explain omniscience of future events. Some subscribing to the eternalist theory...