Persevering Through Perilous Times

"We live in a chaotic world . . . The truth is routinely attacked and lies rewarded. Immorality is glorified. Wars and rumors of wars persist. Threats of famine abound. It is easy to be disturbed at all we see taking place and wonder where the world is headed, becoming worried for ourselves, our children and grandchildren."

Near the end of Jesus’ ministry, He was with His disciples in Jerusalem. They commented on the beauty of the temple buildings. Jesus responded with a prediction about what would happen to them in the future. This naturally prompted questions, which led Jesus to expand on His prophecy. Knowing it would deeply trouble the disciples, He wove into His message words of assurance, saying, “See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6)

Jesus’ prediction of the future to the disciples included disturbing events like wars, famines, persecution, increased crime, disease, natural disasters, as well as the degradation of the heart of man, becoming more calloused and ruthless toward others.

Our Lord knew times like these would cause His followers to be greatly disturbed, to the point of being frightened, so in a spirit of wisdom He sought to prepare them for what was coming. Then they could remember His words and not be anxious.

He also knew that when prophetic events would unfold, it will appear chaotic and believers might feel like evil is triumphing and God is nowhere to be found. His teaching was to assure His followers that God is present and in charge. For He not only predicted what will be taking place, but will be working in the midst of it.

We live in a chaotic world where there are crises of all sorts happening simultaneously across the globe. Sometimes there is the sense of organized chaos, where godless influencers plot evil together at the national and international levels. The truth is routinely attacked and lies rewarded. Immorality is glorified. Wars and rumors of wars persist. Threats of famine abound. It is easy to be disturbed at all we see taking place and wonder where the world is headed, becoming worried for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.

Jesus knows the Evil One will take advantage of such crises that affects people’s emotions. He will attempt to deceive them in the church, within the family, throughout society and succeed. Jesus keenly understood this was a spiritual battle between good and evil; God and Satan.

He told His disciples about a great light that will bring hope into the world, and push back against the forces of darkness during this time of global spiritual upheaval. It is the light of the gospel of Jesus. It will be proclaimed throughout all the earth and rescue the souls of men and women who are enslaved by the empty promises of their sinful generation.

The disciples were told they will need to endure to the end during this time of trial Jesus predicted. He did not say they would escape from it, but would need to persevere through it to the end. And how could they do that when the pressure will be immense? By the Spirit of God who indwells them. It would not be according to their own strength or wisdom, but through the power of their resurrected Christ.

This is a message for us. Let us not be filled with alarm at the troubling events swarming around us. Rather, as believers read Jesus’ words again, and remember that He predicted times like these will come. Respond by being vigilant to protect yourself from deception. Take up the gospel and share it with someone who is trapped in sin. Love one another. Then endure, persevere and keep pressing forward.

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I pray that believers would not be alarmed when seeing what is happening in the world. Rather, may they remember your words, go and preach the gospel and endure to the end with joy, while being faithful to all your commands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” (Photo by Brandon Morgan on Unsplash)

Is Covid Still Keeping You Out of Church? It's Time to Come Back

"Two years later, nearly 100% of churches are back to meeting in-person, that is good news. However, according to pollsters only around 75%-80% of Christians have come back. For those believers who have not returned, this may be a spiritual test about the Lordship of Christ."

Jesus was like a celebrity-type figure to many of His day. Crowds gathered in the thousands to hear Him speak and do miracles. This attracted a wide array of people to come follow Him, along with the 12 disciples. One man in particular was a scribe, a highly educated teacher and copier of God’s Word. He randomly shouted out to Jesus in the midst of other people, “I will follow you wherever you go.” (Luke. 9:57) Jesus quickly responded saying, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Lk. 9:58)

Does not that sound like an odd response to a person who wants to follow Jesus? What was Jesus, the master communicator, saying? He was telling the scribe there is a cost to following Him. While the man may have been enamored by the celebrity of Jesus, Jesus highlighted the non-glamorous parts of His ministry, which the scribe never observed. For Jesus told him it was one of poverty, homelessness and rejection.

Why was Jesus saying this? He was not just sharing information about His ministry’s travel and lodging plans. Jesus was stating a condition that must be met to follow Him. And that condition is His Lordship. It must be believed in and submitted to, no matter the cost.

When March 2020 ushered in the Covid pandemic, it became a test for every church and Christian. The test became harder with the passage of time due to continual negative and discouraging news of the virus spreading, hospitalizations, deaths, new variants and the introduction of vaccines. Sweeping lockdowns and mandates came as a result, causing churches to shut down in person gatherings and people to stay at home.

Two years later, nearly 100% of churches are back to meeting in-person, that is good news. However, according to pollsters only around 75%-80% of Christians have come back. For those believers who have not returned, this may be a spiritual test about the Lordship of Christ.

For those of us who have repented of our sins and placed our faith in Him, He became not only our Savior, but Lord. We were bought by Him through His blood on the cross. As a result, we became His and no longer our own. This means we are expected to do what He says, which is our primary way of expressing our love for Him. He commands us by word and example to gather with other believers to receive teaching, have fellowship, take the Lord’s supper, pray, celebrate baptism, engage in ministry and worship together.

For nearly 2,000 years, millions of Christians have faced potential danger for doing this. This is something modern believers in western nations largely know little about due to our freedoms. Gathering as the church has rarely been risk free since its inception. Believers in the first century often met in homes partly because of rampant persecution. The smaller groups, privacy, lack of visibility to authorities made it safer, but still not without some threat of peril. For centuries the faithful in persecuted lands have gathered with full knowledge they could be harassed, arrested or killed. They have also gathered during war, in crime ridden neighborhoods, while facing sickness and disease and following the effects of natural disasters.

What compels Christians to assemble when there are threats to their safety? The Lordship of Jesus. Like the scribe that shouted out to Jesus that he would follow him no matter what; words are easy to say. But the true test of the Christian is found in the dark valleys of suffering and trials of all sorts.

Fellow believers, it is time to get back to church. Accept there is risk, but place your faith in Christ as you go. When you do, remember the suffering and death He courageously endured for you. And do not forget some of His last words before He ascended back into heaven, “I am with you always.” (Matt. 28:20) In Christ, you are never alone.

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I pray this column will reach those who have not gone back to church since the start of Covid. Whatever their fears or concerns, bring them to place their trust in you and overcome all obstacles to gather again with their fellow believers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

They Killed The Son of God to Bury The Truth

"Jesus gave them the truth and what did they do? They killed Him. The Son of God."

When Jesus was arrested on charges of blasphemy and ushered in before the powerful Sanhedrin, He was asked this question by the high priest, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” (Mark 14:61) Was the priest really interested in the truth or just trying to cover it up? Here is Jesus’ answer, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” This infuriate the high priest, “. . . he tore his garments and said, ‘What further witnesses do we need? You have heard his blasphemy. What is your decision?’ And they all condemned him as deserving death. And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards received him with blows.” (Mk. 14:63-65) Jesus gave them the truth and what did they do? They killed Him. The Son of God.

For three years Jesus’ spoke openly and boldly to both those in power and the common person. To some, His words of truth were received by teachable hearts that led to changed lives. But to most, they caused offense, irritation and anger.

Jesus publicly exposed the lies of the religious leaders, and confronted them with their corrupt behavior. They did not like having the light of truth being shone upon them, so they sought to eliminate the truth. They thought if they killed Him, the uncomfortableness He brought would be gone. Not so. For the three days Jesus lay buried in a borrowed tomb, His opponents were not rejoicing. They pondered the supernatural signs at the moment of Jesus’ death and were troubled when they remembered how He said He would rise again. It was three days of misery for them. Then on the third day, when Jesus rose from the dead, they discovered with great alarm how the truth cannot be buried.

Do not look down on these religious leaders and imagine we are better. By nature, all of us try to suppress the God-revealed truth about our lives. Our circumstances may not be recorded on the pages of history as theirs, but we are still no less guilty.

When God shows us the truth of ourselves, He often does it through our conscience, that inner voice which speaks when we have violated His moral law. When we pursue evil desires, the voice warns us, but in turn, we suppress it. We turn up the volume of entertainment. We give ourselves to pleasure. We go to great lengths to rationalize what we have done. We give ourselves to religion and good deeds believing that will ease our unrest. Whatever method we choose to silence our conscience, the truth of our lives cannot be buried.

And how does God respond to our efforts to suppress the truth? He says we are all without excuse. Through our conscience, He has written on our hearts what is right and wrong. As a result, this justifies God’s anger toward us. When He has made it plain to us what we ought to do, then do not do it, we invite His judgment.

What is our saving hope in light of this? Only one person can save us from the danger we are to ourselves, which comes from the just consequences of our own actions. When Jesus died upon the cross, He took the wrath of God for our sins, so we would not have to. He paid our penalty of death for us. And when He rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven, He sent His Spirit to wash clean our conscience and give us a new heart and mind. Jesus is our only hope.

A prayer for you - “Lord God, I pray you will help us to face the truth. The truth of who we are and what we have done. We are sinners and have sinned against you and others. We cannot cover it up anymore. Save us from your anger. Show us mercy through Christ. Grant us the forgiveness You have promised to those who call upon Your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”