Hell in a Handbarrow

Hell in a Handbarrow
        Yesterday I quoted part of an article written bu John B. Harrington quoting from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
Here is the expanded version,
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency        courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4
I as a Christian can honestly say there are many in the world that are doing things in the name of Christ that are wrong. They are placing heavy burdens on the backs of honest people who’s only wish is to do what is right before God.
They are constantly asking for money to fill their own pockets. They are claiming to perform miraculous things in the name of God yet they are not. They are perverting the teachings of Christ for their own ends.
Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 
2Timothy 4:3,4
Jesus said of these people,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                            Matthew 7:22,23.
I believe Christianity is a lifestyle not a religion. I believe the words of Francis of Assisi who said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
For me Christianity is a faith of love understanding and reaching out to the world with God’s mercy.
We are not called to judge, Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                              Matthew 7:1,2.
I am however called to reach the world with the most incredible message of love I have ever known.
And if there was ever a time the world needed hope it is now, as Paul Gallico puts it,
“We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.”
And the way I see it there is no hope but in Jesus.
The apostle Paul once presented the Gospel of Christ at the Areopagus in Athens, at the end he gave this conclusion,
“For he (God) has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
  At that, Paul left the Council.”
                                     Acts 17:31-34  
I put to you that Jesus dear reader is the only hope for mankind. You may as those in the Areopagus in Athens did, sneer or you can read the Bible and in particular the New Testament yourself to see if Jesus truly is who he says he is.
For other readings out side of the Bible I recommend Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.
For I really believe that our world is as Gallico puts it “Headed for Hell in a handbarrow.”
And I believe that only God can save us.
Think about it.