Psychology Today had a recent article entitled "Top Trend for 1994." It was written by Gerald Celente, a professional trend-watcher , who directs the Trends Research Institute in Rhinebeck, New York. He writes that people are looking for new basic values in the wisdom of the ancients. He terms it "a remarkable new twist." He found it amazing for contemporary people to base their worid view, social and political strictures and organizations, and the arts on the "forgotten wisdom of ancient peoples." That individuals have a purpose in life is a "brand new old idea."

The Bible has received a lot of bad press. Many have said that it is old and out-of-date, that it was written for another age and another culture, and that it was written in two dead languages. The critics have not realized that the real issues of life remain the same in every age. Society must have justice for all. Man must worship and serve One who is higher than himself. Individuals must have respect and concern for their fellow-citizens. The home must have love and integrity. Husbands and wives must be true to each other and show love and understanding to their children. The children must love and obey their parents.

Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Mathew 24:35 NIV).

David wrote, "Your word, 0 Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens" (Psalm 119:89).

Isaiah recorded, "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our Lord stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8).

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18).

There is a desire in every normal person to live forever. Solomon wrote of God, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men..." (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The healthy mind does not want to think that its conscious existence will end. We have a strong desire to go on and on. This is universal.

The word of God is the wisdom of the ages. It teaches radical reality. It states plainly and clearly what sin is and what it does to the human family. It reveals that our Maker loves us and has provided a way to cleanse us and forgive us of our sins through His blessed Son, Jesus Christ. This is called salvation. The Bible uses such words as "grace," "mercy," "redemption," and "atonement." These are not ordinary words in our modern vocabulary. In fact, the Bible took the Greek word "agape" and lifted it and gave it a new meaning of "love for the unworthy, the unlovable." It means an undying love that will endure all kinds of hurts and disappointments. The world has never spoken this language; only Christians come to understand it. This love is characteristic of God and of those who follow Him.

Gerald Celente said that this new trend finds people looking for a purpose in life. He called it a "brand new old idea" Indeed, it is an old idea and it is new to our modern thinking.

Our purpose in living cannot be "get all you can," and "eat, drink and be merry." Our purpose in life must be noble, pure, and lofty. It cannot be self-centered, for this never brings happiness or selffulfillment . There has to be something in our quest for life that transcends this existence of a few years in a body that gets sick and finally dies, in this desire for physical comfort and security. The heart "has eternity set in it"' as Solomon said, and as Augustine wrote, "The heart of man is restless until it rests at home with God." Our purpose in life, therefore, is to enjoy and serve God while here and long for the time we are at home with our Father.

Back to Contents November/December 1995