By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Genesis 6:8-9 "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God." - NIV
These words about Noah come amidst a very grim environment of a very evil society. Everyone thought, planned and did evil. The fallen angels had married daughters of men and produced giants. The heart of God was grieved at the magnitude of sin in the world. Its was in this scenario that Noah is described as a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. The contrast between Noah and the rest of the people, is like contrasting day and night. The secret to his righteous life and favour was because he walked with God.
The Lord destroyed the earth with a flood as a result of increase of evil. But as men descended from Noah increased on earth, evil thrived again. Todate, our world is characterized by evil in every sphere, even getting worse as we draw towards the end of the age. Jesus said evil will increase and the love of many will grow cold (Matt 24:12). Paul said it too (1Tim 4:1).Can one live righteously amidst such evil everywhere? The answer is yes. Because it is not by might nor by power of men, but by His Spirit.
Just as Noah walked with God and lived righteously in a terribly evil environment, so can we if we choose to walk with, and worthy of God. There is every temptation to be part of the evil environment and to live as everyone else does. Evil has become glorified and celebrated. Good has become bad, and vice versa. But we can choose to live for God. It is not easy, but worthwhile. The Holy Spirit is available to enable us do so. We just can’t make it on our own. It’s by God’s grace alone we are saved and sustained.
Titus 2:11-12 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…"
Shalom children of God.