A CALL TO TURN TO GOD

In a free and democratic society, we are all privileged to hold individual worldviews. In this context, the Cayman Ministers’ Association wishes to call attention to the biblical worldview with respect to public morality and the celebration of what Holy Scripture declares to be sin.

In our National Anthem we sing, “God save our gracious queen”. In our national song, “O land of soft fresh breezes, of verdant trees so fair, with the Creator’s glory reflected everywhere…”.

On our Coat of Arms, we have the words of Psalm 24, “He hath founded it upon the seas”.

It is evident in the above quotations, and as reflected in the preamble of the Cayman Islands Constitution, that ours is a nation that acknowledges the supremacy of God and our dependance upon Him. But are we like the nation that Isaiah spoke about when he said “The Lord says, ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me’” (Is. 29:13)?

Let us be clear, this God is a personal, intelligent God, who is actively involved in human affairs. He did not just leave His creation to manage itself, but He upholds it by the Word of His Power (Heb. 1:3). “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:29).

God has given us His word to direct us – how we should conduct ourselves in every area of life, individually and nationally.

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers, but His delight is in the law of the Lord” (Ps.1).

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:20).

Let us note, also, that there is a day of accountability coming. “It is appointed unto man once to die and after death, the judgement” (Heb. 9:27). “The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Rev. 20:12).

Remember that “God is not willing that any should perish but everyone to come to repentance” (II Pet. 3:9).

Let us remember that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

May we further remember that “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him” (John 3:17).

As human beings, we have to choose whether or not we will follow the way of God through His Son Jesus Christ. Remember what Jesus said, “But unless you repent, you will all perish” (Luke 13:3).

In our culture today, many expect to live as they please and that all will be well with them when they pass from this life into eternity. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor slanderers will inherit the kingdom of God” (I Cor. 6:9&10).

Many in the early church came out of the above lifestyle when they repented and were converted. Paul wrote, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (I Cor. 6:11).

God gave us our free wills. We can freely choose the way we want to live; but our choices have consequences, both for ourselves and for our society. Popular opinion does not change the Word of God, which He has given to mankind to direct them how to live.

God sets before us life and death, blessing and cursing, but He tells us to choose life (Deut. 30:19). In the time of the Apostle Paul, rebellion against God was great – even as it is in our time. Here is what St. Paul wrote in Romans Chapter 1:

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. Because of their wickedness, God gave them over to shameful lusts; even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another” (Rom. 1:18-27).

Let us remember that God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what He sows (Gal. 6:7).

We cannot as individuals and as a community expect to disobey God’s laws with impunity. Changing societal norms does not remove our individual obligation to do what is right.

“…But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolators and all liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts and let him turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, for He will freely pardon” (Is. 55:6&7).

The Apostle Paul told the people of Athens many years ago, “In the past, God overlooked your ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:31). We will do well to heed this warning.

Submitted by:

Torrance Bobb

Chairman, Cayman Ministers’ Association