Rising Beach Pollution

“Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water.” That was a line associated with the classic film, ‘Jaws’, with the obvious reference to the dangers of swimming alongside sharks – the ocean’s most feared predators. But now, there is another fast-growing danger at the nation’s beaches.

A report by the Natural Resources Defense sites that 7% of the water sample gathered in 2008 violated current standards for healthy water. The report, compiled using data from the Environmental Protection Agency, looked at more than 6,000 beaches. Nancy Stoner, co-director of the council's water program stated in the 19th annual "Testing the Waters" report, "Pollution from dirty storm water runoff and sewage overflows continues to make its way to our Beaches." Stoner also stated, “Americans should not suffer the consequences of contaminated beach water from contracting the flu or pink eye, or jeopardizing millions of jobs and billions of dollars that rely on clean coasts.”

Pollution is becoming a fact of modern life and is far from being limited to the water supply. Pollution can come in a variety of forms including air, soil, noise and even light. Then there are the disastrous results seen when a major oil spill occurs. All of the above contributes the raging battle over the environment as represented primarily in the global warming issue. Some feel the planet is in horrific danger and literally at the point of no return. Others believe the earth is capable of regenerating itself and that the alarm is mostly hype and that earth it is going through a typical phase as is normal over time.

Either way, few would disagree that pollution is unacceptable and that the preference is that the earth’s precious resources remain clean and plentiful. But there is another type of pollution that few are even aware of even though it poses the greatest threat to mankind imaginable. Paul the Apostle, quoting from Psalm 14 and 53, describes the scope and effects of this most dreadful and comprehensive form of contamination. In Romans chapter three and beginning in verse 10 he writes;

"As it is written:"There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Back in the 18th verse of the first chapter of the Apostle’s great doctrinal masterpiece he shares the result of a heart fully tarnished by sin. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” A few chapters later he gets right to the heart of that matter stating in no uncertain terms, “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) This brief phrase represents far more than the casual eye might see. Left unchecked by saving faith, man’s dreadful condition leads to certain eternal death and a level of suffering that is simply beyond all human comprehension. But most fortunately for a hopeless and helpless race, the second half of verse 23 offers the ultimate ‘solution to pollution’ - at least for the spiritual strain. Paul makes an abrupt 180 degree turn there and declares with great confidence, “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The sentence, “Just when you thought it was safe to go into …whatever” can be more than sarcastic words of doubt meaning 'don’t even think about proceeding any further'. In Christ, the pollution of human sin, and the wrath that accompanies it, can be cleansed instantly and permanently. It requires only a true acceptance of the redemptive offer of the Savior coupled with the sincere humble attitude of the Psalmist. (Psalm 51:7, 10 and 12)

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit."

William Breckenridge