If I were to ask you to describe this present generation, what would you say? You might say a lot of things. But there is one thing you probably would not say. You would not describe yourself or those you know as perverse.

Over 2000 years ago the apostle Peter preached to a gathering of thousands in the city of Jerusalem. The burden of his message was simple. He said, “Be saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:40).

Wait a minute. What a preacher said almost 2000 years ago hardly applies today. But have people really changed over the centuries? What about the lawmakers who regularly rebuff legislative efforts to stem the tide of abortion? On the other end of the spectrum, many families have living wills. These wills allow doctors and families to pull the plug on failing parents or injured children, even to the extent of removing food and water.

Yet God says that taking human life in the ways described is murder. It is clear violation of the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Surely a generation which tolerates the needless slaughter of the unborn and the careless taking of other human lives can be called nothing less than perverse. The words of the ancient preacher do apply to you and to me, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”