A Crooked and Perverse Generation


2:15 ...so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world...


It should not surprise the Christian when the world is crooked and perverse. We are the ones who understand human sin; we are the ones who know what and who is behind it all.


It’s easy for us to think that in our day crookedness and perversity are reaching an all-time high. But the fact is, history has been a story of human perversity and crookedness. It’s been here since the garden, it will be with us until Christ’s return.


But notice that Paul is not calling us to lament this wretched condition, but to provide the world an alternative of hope and light.


Christians need to stop moaning and groaning about evil in the world and get to the business of shining like lights in the darkness. We are the one hope that this crooked and perverse world has. If we are overwhelmed by the darkness, then who will show them there’s a better way?


Our focus is not to be on the darkness of the world, but on the light of Christ. HE is our joy! HE is our hope! HE is our light! We don’t need for things to be going right in our country or our neighborhood in order to be happy. We have Christ, and He is all we need. His grace is sufficient for us. When we have joy in the midst of despair, when we have hope in the midst of misery, when we have peace in the midst of fear, then people will notice and start to ask why we are different.


Dear Father, forgive me for how much I feel sorry for myself. It is a terrible sin. You have given me solid reasons for joy, and yet I still complain. So much of my security is still based in this world, I can see that. Help me to change anchors, Lord. Help me to find Christ to be such a strong Helper that I can detach myself from the things not worthy of my trust. Help me remember You are my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, so that I will not fear, though the earth should change and the mountains slip into the heart of the sea! Shine Your light in me, Lord. Don’t let the darkness put out Your light.