The Greatest Want of the World

"The Greatest Want of the World”

“We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful some time, In an age on ages telling, to be living is sublime.”

I have never felt that the words of this song are so appropriate as I do now, in 2015.  As you also are experiencing, we are literally seeing prophecy fulfilled before our eyes.  This is the time when there is an increased need of  “real” men and all that the word implies.

     "The greatest want of the world is the want of men--men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall."  {Ed 57.3}

     "But such a character is not the result of accident; it is not due to special favors or endowments of Providence. A noble character is the result of self-discipline, of the subjection of the lower to the higher nature--the surrender of self for the service of love to God and man."  {Ed 57.4} 

We are daily challenged to be such, individuals who stand for principle out of sincere love for their Creator, Redeemer, and Saviour.  We will then be brilliant lights that both purposefully and inadvertently can do nothing less than shine in the increasing darkness that is engulfing this globe.

Recently I read an article from July 10, 2015 Washington Post entitled, "Spring 2016 is all about lacy shirts, floral prints, silky fabrics — for men” (by Robin Givhan).  The opening line states, “The end of gender is near.”  As I scanned the pictures in the article, I saw images of fashion shows. The men were attired in ruffles, chiffon, lace, and/or flowers or floppy bow ties and scarves.  They modeled floral suits and man bags were also displayed. One shirt is described as a “slinky glamorous shirt ‘for humans’.”  A “phalanx of models sporting gender neutral clothing” was also pictured.  Male and female models would often follow each other (or were pictured side by side, for comparison sake) evidencing that the same item could be worn by either.  The designers stated that they were attempting to gently blur the gender differences and that this has been an ongoing endeavor.  Men shoulders are dropped, and their attire is softer. As for women’s attire, “they eschew prissy and overtly sexy. They prefer swagger…” As stated in the article, the goal is to chisel away the demarcation between femininity and masculinity.  This is life in 2015. 

The question was then asked, “Why are clothes assigned a gender at all?”   It goes on to explain that they are not referring to obvious male and female bodily differences, but rather simply, why a gender at all.  Again, this is life in the year 2015.

 

"…But these young men do not leave viewers guessing at their gender and then feeling guilty about speculating. They are clearly men. And, until our eyes adjust: They often look as if they are wearing girls’ clothes."

In light of our understanding of creation, there was and will be two distinctive beings—each with specific gender inclinations and roles; this is God ordained and unalterable. 

The Scripture is clear in Deuteronomy 22:5 where we read, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God."

“…God's prohibitions are lightly regarded by all who advocate doing away with the distinction of dress between males and females." {1T 459.8} 

     "God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime. Were the apostle Paul alive, and should he behold women professing godliness with this style of dress, he would utter a rebuke. 'In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.' The mass of professed Christians utterly disregard the teachings of the apostles, and wear gold, pearls, and costly array.  {1T 460.1}

May God help us be a light in this increasing moral darkness.

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men.”  I believe this one hundred year old statement is pertinent now than ever is these dire times.  But as stated previously, such character does not come by accident. It is a result of self-discipline, stern battles with self, and a subjection to our Higher Authority.

“…The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose."  {MH 453.2} 

     "No one will be borne upward without stern, persevering effort in his own behalf. All must engage in this warfare for themselves; no one else can fight our battles. Individually we are responsible for the issues of the struggle; though Noah, Job, and Daniel were in the land they could deliver neither son nor daughter by their righteousness."  {MH 453.3}

There is a dearth in the land, a dearth of true men and women.   May women not be ashamed of their femininity and men be boldly masculine in their Christianity; moreover may we be godly in our respective roles, standing firm to truth, and with tearful heartfelt pain, call sin sin when directed by the Holy Spirit... though the heavens fall.

 "The greatest want of the world is the want of men--men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall."  {Ed 57.3}

For resources regarding Christian apparel please contact MEET Ministry and ask for "Creeping Compromise," "Christian Apparel," and "Thy Nakedness."