Pastor's Corner
We are living in perilous times. Our world is no longer normal as we once knew it. Morality and the human conscience seem to have taken a back seat to people doing what is right in their own eyes. But what is right today? Do most people even know, or do they want to know what is right? In the past year, everyone’s life took a dramatic turn. The recent pandemic has changed how all of us live and function in this new “normal” that we are all faced with. So how or what are we to do? Most of all, we are to stay true to the word of God. God’s truth has not changed, nor will it ever change. Today more than ever, as Christians, we must live the Christian life as an example to a lost and dying world. We have an enemy who is relentless in his attacks. He is a defeated foe but nevertheless, he has not and will not give up until the bitter end. What we see in our nation today is the success of his continual deception and manipulation of people’s minds and hearts. As he continues his assaults, so must we encourage one another to remain strong and even increase in our desire to spread the Gospel message to the entire world. We cannot afford to slack off in our pursuit of holiness and conforming to the image of Jesus Christ. We must also be even more relentless than Satan in our desire to bring the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The world and even our own country has become inundated with idol worship. It may not be as obvious in America as it is in some foreign countries; but idol worship is rampant right here in our own country. The primary idol today that is worshipped above all others is the human self. There is so much focus on pleasing oneself and it permeates itself in the advertising that is all around us. Advertising focuses on what pleases the desires, the selfish and often wicked desires that are ingrained in the worldly human nature of mankind. It has been the tool of the devil from the beginning with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. “Do what pleases you – don’t worry, be happy.” Or “God is always trying to take away your fun.” The devil has many tricks. He has used these tricks repeatedly. He does not need to change them – we continue to fall for the same old tricks.
We may be more modern and have more technology than ever before. But that does not mean that we are any smarter. We just have more ways and even easier ways to sin than ever before. The challenge for us as Christians is to continue to do the work of the Lord. Our world may seem to be in chaos and out of control, but we must remember that nothing catches God by surprise. In His sovereignty all things are under His Holy and Sovereign control. And as we surrender to His will and do His work; we can overcome the world. As much as man likes to think that he is in control of things – man is actually in control of nothing. All is in God’s hands and in His control.
Our job today is to continue to spread the word of Truth in this lost and dying world. None of us know how much longer God is going to allow us to exist. This country, which was founded on God’s word and His truth, is no longer that same country. We must pray, study, and witness for the Lord. People must hear the truth and have the opportunity to repent and see the light. Currently we still have the freedom in this country to do the work of God. How much longer will we have that freedom? I am not sure, but we need to cherish it and not let the time that we have left go to waste. Many may think that we could never lose our freedom, but as we read the headlines and as we watch the news and as we see the ideology of many in our government and our country today, this is a very real possibility.
Let us pray and always be ready to give an answer to every one of the truth, and the faith that we have. Let us be the example of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Our society is losing its grip on reality and the primary truth that every person needs today. Share the message of salvation. Do the work of an evangelist. Our time is short. We are in a time of apostacy. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 tells us that prior to the anti-christ revealing himself, there will come a “great falling away.” We are seeing that today. Open your eyes and see, but do not sleep as others sleep as Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 but let us watch and be alert as we see the day approaching.