“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:12-13
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 6:37
Thirty years ago I wrote the following words on the subject of perseverance, although they were not published until ten years later. Here is what I wrote:
“Perseverance means to remain firm in our faith. But we do so only because the Lord has promised that he will never reject his own nor will he allow anyone to take them out of his hand. It’s comforting to know that our perseverance doesn’t depend on us; it depends upon the keeping power of the Holy Spirit, who lives within us. Our love may wax and wane, but we are able to stand firm because we are the Lord’s sheep, given to Jesus by his Father, and kept by the Holy Spirit.”
I am not sure I would rewrite this paragraph, but I would definitely add to it. Thirty years ago, life in America was very different. America’s border was mostly secure; Christians frowned upon same-sex marriage; people did not try to change their gender; abortion was not accepted as a woman’s right; and crime was punished.
Although sin has always been sin, today we see lawlessness increasing and the love of even those who call themselves Christians growing colder. Just look at the break-up of Christian families in the USA.
Things are somewhat different in Africa. I am proud of Africa where I maintain many close ties. I am proud of Uganda and other African countries that have taken a stand against homosexuality because the Bible says it is wrong. Although their stand has cost them financially, they have held firm. They are persevering in difficult circumstances. I am praying especially for Uganda that has passed a law against homosexual activity. I will do anything I can to help their church leaders and their president to say NO to what they know is wrong. They are persevering and I pray that they will persevere to the end of their individual lives.
Will you pray for Africans who in their poverty stand firm for their faith? And will you pray for Christians in America with their wealth that they will stand firm in spite of being ridiculed, persecuted, and falsely accused for their faith? Pray that they will endure and remember that Jesus will never cast them out.
And finally will you pray for yourself that your love will never grow cold and that you will be able to stand firm in the difficult times we face today? I pray for that myself.
Yes and amen! I, too am proud of a nation, poor as it may be, that stands for righteousness and will even pass laws against the ungodliness that we in America are being pressured to accept.
ReplyDeleteI know this is long, but it is on my heart...These thoughts are prompted by the support of pride month that I see at national and local stores and restaurants, in major newspapers, in local and national newscasts and more. It also is a reflection of my thoughts on the Sex Ed program that was put on by Planned Parenthood in Olympia, Washington, as well as other places that are teaching similarly to children.
ReplyDeleteIt occurred to me early this morning, that none of us should be surprised. At least none of us who consider ourselves to be Christians should be surprised. We live in a world that has turned from God's word as its sole authority. Unfortunately, much of the church has turned from His authority as well. We have allowed the sins of the world to infiltrate the church. We have ceased to be salt and light. And our view of a successful church has devolved from God’s view of such.
So, my thinking , in no particular order, is this:
It is no surprise that our nation, and most of the western world, is pushing LBGTQ+, adult/child “love”, etc. as a normality. Where there is no authority, no restraint, anything goes.
It is no surprise that we encourage children, teens, young adults, and adults to “investigate” the varieties of sexual “pleasure”, because we are sexual beings lacking self restraint, and happy to indulge fantasies. There is no reason to restrain one’s self.
It is no surprise to me, with a distinctly Christ centered world view, that this world is in rebellion against its Creator….This is from the International Children’s Bible, 2 Corinthians 4 (with emphasis on just who the ruler of this world is. This ruler is in rebellion against his Creator.)
4 The devil who rules this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. They cannot see the light of the Good News—the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is exactly like God.
And so, the blind lead the blind….
When there is nothing beyond life but death/non-existence, then it is perfectly rational to participate in whatever your desires are. It is rational to steal, to be a grifter, to lie, to cheat, to do anything to get ahead because this life is IT. So, it is no surprise to me that those who do not know their God, who do not believe there is more to life than death, do whatever they deem right in their own eyes.
I wish it was not thus, but this is how I see it.