2nd Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
This passage of scripture warns us against false prophets and teachers who teach heresies and atheistic views under the garb of Christianity. The reason why we are cautioned to be aware of such activities, is that these teachings have the tendency to affect our belief and faith in God in very negative ways, and they can be adopted and voted on, even without us being aware of their evil influences. The general theme of atheism is to deny the existence of God, but there are many variant strains of the same philosophy which produce the same results. The theory of evolution for instance is atheistic in nature, for it dispenses with the great facts of creation, and credits the origin of species with a cataclysmic happenstance, which occurred millions of years ago. And because this theory is now taught in our schools, we are now raising almost an entire generation of infidels who do not believe in God. Hence the reason why recent data shows that America is becoming more and more secular in thought and action each and every day.
Another deviant strain of atheistic philosophy is the recent rise of so-called libertarianism, in which those who adhere to its teachings believe that they are accountable to no one but themselves, once they do not infringe on the fundamental human rights of others. But this idea is also a form of atheism for the Bible teaches us that we are all held accountable to God for the deeds done in the body, and furthermore everything we do affects others either directly or indirectly. Jonah's actions cost his fellow travelers their goods and cargo, and almost caused the death of many sailors who had nothing to do with his sin, and thousands of babies and innocent people die each year from second-hand smoke. Therefore the God of heaven must of necessity hold every person accountable for what they have done, with the appropriate rewards for our deeds to be administered after the close of human probation. Let's read:
2nd Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
In our day there are many who have tried to blend Christianity with atheistic concepts, and have produced a pseudo form of godliness, in which sin is countenanced and practiced in the name of libertarianism. Others have embraced both creation and evolution with the vain hope of acknowledging the existence of God on the one hand, while incorporating the popular atheistic concepts of the day. The Bible teaches us that as Christians, we should be all God's or none of His at all, but to try to straddle both sides of the fence to try to please God and the popular majority, will inevitably put as squarely in satan's camp, to receive our just due with him and his evil angels at the end of the age.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reminds of the sobering truth that God will one day judge the world, and since this sacred truth is not dependent on whether we believe it or not, it then behooves us to so live and so do, as those who will be called into account for our thoughts and actions, for the time is at hand. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!