Already Under Judgement--The Sixties and Seventies

"Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." Romans 1:24-25

The beginning of the Sixties and early Seventies found America changing established ideas of morality and replacing them with alternate views. This was the generation of "free love" and communal living. It was the beginning of the age of rampant drub abuse and lax ethics. Many were leaving Christianity in order to explore "new ideas" about religion. Eastern Mysticism rose throughout the land. It was a generation noted for its rebellion against established authority. It was a generation that saw the foundation laid for the destruction of the family and a serious rise in divorce. Many landmark cases changed the nation forever and set us on course for even more judgment. This was the time period that saw the murder of innocent children become a legislated right. This was the generation of, "if it feels good, do it." The Bible shows this to be a judgment, "God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts: to dishonour their own bodies between themselves."

It was a direct sign of a judgment from God. Look at the text verse above--"Wherefore God gave them up..." The idea is that when men turn their back on Him, He pulls back His protection a bit which allows more darkness to ensue. The word "gave them up" also has the connotation of being pushed. God pushed them a little farther away from Him not to destroy because God's judgments begin with redemption in mind. He is trying to get them to repent and return such as happened in America after the roaring 20s. If they fail to repent, they get pushed a little farther away. Eventually the people get so far away that repentance seems to be nearly impossible and then God must, in His holiness, judge the land. This is the very idea where Paul is discussing a man caught in sin in Corinth. He said that the man needed to be delivered over to the devil that he might be saved in the day of Christ. In other words, let the devil kick him around a little until he repents. God always has redemption on His mind, but we must choose to turn to Him in sincere repentance.

Things will not get better in the next two decades and they clearly follow the pattern of Romans 1. America is already under judgment!