These are terrible days, possibly the worst our country has faced since the Civil War. The violence and seeming disregard of life occurring now throughout our nation are unparalleled and only seems to be getting worse. Many have begun to ask if this is the beginning of the end of America as it has stood through the last 244 years.
The ongoing vilification of our president has spilled over into a war on all law enforcement; some cities have even concluded that it is time to do away with the police altogether! Harsh voices on both sides preclude any chance, seemingly, for reconciliation. Anything that paints either the president, the military, or law enforcement in a positive light is ignored as the mainstream media seems bent on stoking the flames higher and higher. Social media giants have sought to silence any voice that contradicts the views they support. Even those within the Church (intentionally capitalized as I speak, not of any denomination or particular congregation, but the Church that Jesus began over 2000 years ago) are split over what the truth is today.
“What is truth?” Pilate asked this of Jesus during the final trial of the Messiah; regrettably, he turned away from the one person who could answer that question for him (John 18:38). Many (most?) today are not interested in a dialogue to determine what the truth is; listening is a lost art in society today. Not listening is understandable among those apart from faith in Jesus, but to see it played out within the Church is not only disheartening but a grave danger to what Jesus commanded us to do;
19 Therefore, my dear brothers, let every person be quick to listen but slow to speak, slow to get angry; 20 for a person’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness!
James 1:19,20 CJB
James 1:19,20 CJB
Interestingly, the apostle Paul warned us of this many years ago in his last letter to his young protégé’, Timothy;
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
The word translated here, ‘difficult,’ is especially understated when you consider the original term used in the Greek language;
“χαλεπός chalepós, khal-ep-os'; perhaps from chalaō through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e., dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.”
“χαλεπός chalepós, khal-ep-os'; perhaps from chalaō through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e., dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.”
Yes, being a disciple of Jesus during the reign of Nero was ‘difficult’ in the extreme. Paul could have been talking directly to us, not only in America but worldwide in the year 2020. These days are incredibly dangerous, furious, fierce, and perilous; can anyone deny that? We, as the ambassadors for Christ to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20) must be different. We don’t belong to this world, this nation any longer! We are ‘called out’ from among them to be a light on the hill to draw others to our King. In this, we have failed if we only join in the rhetoric based on the definition of truth the world would have us believe.
My intent is not to point out any person or political party as ‘wrong’ or ‘right;’ I do hope to quicken our resolve to turn to the Truth of Scripture and the one who declared,
My intent is not to point out any person or political party as ‘wrong’ or ‘right;’ I do hope to quicken our resolve to turn to the Truth of Scripture and the one who declared,
6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 NLT
John 14:6 NLT
I have been all too guilty of adding my voice to the stridor happening today, but no longer! Recently God led me to an old friend, J.I. Packer, when I ‘discovered’ Knowing God on one of our bookshelves. Reading this, I first read it years ago before I surrendered my life to Jesus (not that I understood what Pastor Packer sought to teach) then again while in prison (after my being born from above). Now, years after that second reading and, hopefully, being better in tune with what the Spirit would say to me, it has lit a fire within my soul. Adding the works of A.W. Tozer, The Crucified Life, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, has fanned those flames even more. I remember a quote from Pastor Chuck Swindoll of Insight for Living, where he reminded me, “…the kingdom of God does not come on Air Force One!” No political party or individual is the answer to what is tearing our nation and world apart. There is only one Answer, and Jesus has promised to return at a time of the Father’s choosing. That and that alone is the hope that sustains me (and kept me from just another political rant). I pray that if that hope is not yours, you would read the Gospel of John with a seeking heart and listen to the Bible Broadcasting Network (here in Wilmington, NC it is on 104.5 FM, but also online). It’s not too late for America; it’s not too late for you.
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