1505. This Cosmos Is Only Evil

This Cosmos Is Only Evil

"This present evil cosmos" (Gal_1:4).

We frequently hear the expression that "the world is good at heart;" that while it is rough on the outside, and often uncouth in its language and unclean in its conduct, yet it means well; and will eventually bring forth equity and truth. Such statements are entirely contrary to the Word of God.

1. The Holy Spirit came to convict the cosmos of sin (see Joh_16:8). The Holy Spirit never flatters the world system; He never tells man that he possesses the "shining star stuff." He never suggests that there is within the heart the "Divine Spark" which needs only to be fanned to produce the flame of righteousness.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin. He says that the Gentiles are sinners; He says that the Jews are sinners. Under His flaming denunciation every mouth is stopped and the whole world stands guilty before God.

2. Sin entered into the cosmos when Adam fell. It was by one man that sin entered into the cosmos, and death by sin (see Rom_5:12). The picture is sickening. From the result of Adam's sin we find that the cosmos has become corrupted from center to circumference.

The Bible speaks of "the filth of the cosmos" (1Co_4:13); of "the fornicators of this cosmos" (1Co_5:10) and of "a cosmos of iniquity" (Jam_3:6).

Thus we see that not only has sin entered into the cosmos but that the cosmos has become polluted with sin.

3. The men of the cosmos are altogether sinners. The Bible tells us that "that which is born of the flesh is flesh" (Joh_3:6). We have already discussed how the cosmos is composed exclusively of flesh-born men. Let us look then at that flesh. What does God say about it?

"The fleshly mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be" (Rom_8:7-8, \1911 Bible).

The flesh is altogether corrupt. "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing" (Rom_7:18).

If the flesh is corrupt, its fruitage must be corrupt. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness," etc. (Gal_5:19).

World orators are always throwing bouquets to their crowd; they are full of flattering statements concerning the world and world-men, but the Bible has nothing to say of the cosmos save that it is evil. From its head to its feet, it is full of wounds and bruises and putrefying sores; they have neither been bound up nor mollified with ointment (see Isa_1:6).

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR