As a little kid, I can remember singing many "kids" songs at church, one of which was The B-I-B-L-E. Do you remember that tune and the words?
The B-I-B-L-E, yes that's the book for me,
I stand alone on the word of God
The B-I-B-L-E
Is it just me or do you also feel that you are standing alone on the word of God? I know the world has gone mad and bad on many occasions but right now, I feel like crawling under a juniper tree for I see people who I have known years leaving behind the fundamentals truths of the word of God.
Just this week, a young woman who professes to be a Christian, said "go ahead - burn it all down." referring to cities and helping to incite even more violence. I could go on and on with the discouraging and disparaging comments made by so many that I literally feel sick to my stomach.
When even lovingly and privately confronted with what the Bible has to say about such behavior and attitude and I specifically refer to Romans 12 and 13, the absolute venom that spews from their mouth is disturbing and heart-breaking. There is no sating their appetite by simply not confronting the sin - they want you to heartily embrace that which is directly contrary to God's word. "and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:32)
Yet, I know that God is always at work and He can change the heart of people that I might just consider hopeless. And even, in me, He pours out HOPE and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5) Aren't you - faithful few - grateful for the Comforter and Helper that Jesus told us would come after He ascended.
Please don't ignore what is going on either. Take a Spirit-led walk through Ezekiel Chapter 9. Yes, it was written for a specific people at a specific time for a specific reason but like all of the Bible, there in are glimpses of God's character and His attributes and HE DOES NOT CHANGE. It is clear that God expects His people to grieve and mourn over sin (Ezekiel 9:4)
Yes, there are those to whom you speak who have already become permanently darkened but you don't know who they are only God does. What we do know is that Jesus told us to "go and make disciples". Worry about what you know - not what you don't know.
You see, there is a secret weapon built into the heart of man by God himself. A.W. Tozer said ever so eloquently, "The yearning to know what cannot be known, to comprehend the incomprehensible, to touch and taste the unapproachable, arises from the image of
God in the nature of man. Deep calleth unto deep, and though polluted and landlocked by the mighty disaster theologians call the Fall, the soul senses it's origin and longs to return to its source."
Your secret weapon is the Holy Spirit Himself who draws men to God for God set eternity in the hearts of man, a yearning for something beyond themselves. Oh there may be a façade of anger or rudeness or other offensive behaviors but underneath, deep inside is a longing and you can be the one who supplies the answer.
The answer is simple - Jesus. "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form." (Col. 2:8-9) Preach the gospel, live the gospel, live from the gospel. Show a God so attractive and amazing and BIG that they will want to know about Him.
Please don't diminish the glory and greatness of God by trying to make Him fit into something that you think will be attractive to the world today. "Perverted notions of God rot the religion in which they appear." (Tozer)
Soon, people will discover that the person they thought was their soul mate will let them down and they will look for someone else to fill the hole left behind by hurt and disappointment.
Soon, people will discover that their passion for the cause of the moment will wain and THAT hunger for fulfillment will still be there;
Soon, people will have their laws or lack thereof they fought so hard for and they will occupy the land they so violently took and discover the emptiness and thirst for something more is still there;
Soon, people will discover that they can never collect enough things or drink enough power to satisfy the deepest longing in their soul.
Be ready, "always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"(1 Pet. 3:15) and never forget this - The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Is. 40:8)
So, my friend, stand firm against the true enemy which is the prince of the power of the air and understand that your battle is not against flesh and blood but against the kingdom of darkness and must be fought with kingdom weapons - by being strong in the power of the Lord and His might. Be fully clothed in the armor of God. His armor - not yours. (Ephesians 6:20)
Know this, you are not alone - God has always had His people and He is with them even to the end of this age. Stand firmly on the only thing that will stand forever.
The B-I-B-L-E
Comments