We are already one month into the new year. I have much on my heart concerning holiness and our sanctification as believers in Christ. But to tell you the truth I am struggling to put my thoughts in writing. I can’t help but notice the freefall of our society as we are plunging toward destruction, seemingly unchecked. It is not as if there are not voices out there warning people of the demise of this once great country, but it seems like those intent on our destruction have been given free rein and can’t be stopped. It would be much more pleasant if I focused on the good things that God is continuing to do in the world around us, for God is still working and doing mighty works in people’s lives. But occasionally I think it is prudent for us to pause and acknowledge the unpleasant realities all around us also, lest we succumb to the deceitfulness of Satan’s rhetoric that is so prevalent in the world today.
We have just heard the voice of our leader declaring the state of our union. I won’t go into details here, but in essence we were told that we are making progress toward resolving our difficulties. We are going to be all right if we continue and accelerate the direction that we are going. And what is the direction that we are going? And what will we look like when we get there? We are given a rosy picture that in no way matches reality. It is no secret that a vast number of people are deceived by these lies. The question is; How can they be so blind? How is it that they cannot put two and two together and see the facts that are staring them straight in the face? It is bad enough that the country is being bankrupted financially. But more importantly it is becoming morally bankrupt. All this is taking place in plain sight, and yet the masses don’t seem to be that upset. Why?
It is hard to believe that there isn’t some willful ignorance going on. People either have chosen to believe the lie or they have chosen to live like they believe the lie. They simply don’t want to believe that they are going to have to pay for what they are receiving, that there is a cost associated with benefits received. And I am not talking just about material things. The unrepentant immoral behaviors taking place in our society also have a cost. Some of these costs are already being realized through disease, corruption, thefts, murders, molestations, divisions, dissention, hatred, etc. , but the final cost is eternal separation from God. Our nation is going under like a sinking ship. The moral depravity of culture is creating holes in our hull and the flood is beginning to sink us. Unfortunately the strategy of government fixes today is to drill a larger holes in the bottom of the ship to let the water out. No wonder we are going into a death spiral.
As Christians we need to stay focused on Jesus and the mission that he has given us. The above reality that we are living with presently can be quite a distraction. It is far past the point of bandages and stitches, only a revival can save America from certain destruction. But our focus has to remain the same. We are called to be the light of the world. We can only be an efficient light as long as we ourselves remain holy, living in the fear of God, dedicated as ambassadors for Christ.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Mt 5:16 AV)
We can only accomplish this by trusting and relying on the power of God, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Our sanctification will result in eternal life for us. But more than this it is the power of God to provide a witness to the world around us, a witness of help and healing and hope for an otherwise dying world. May the Apostle Paul’s prayer for those at Thessalonica be also our pray for ourselves and the Church of God.
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Th 5:23 AV)