It doesn’t take much effort to see our world is eroding all around us. By simply turning on the TV, radio, or going online, we are constantly bombarded with negative news. We may even experience some of them personally when we’re out and about in our communities. It’s gotten to the point where I ask myself, “What new atrocity will I see or hear about today?”
This can certainly lead to strong feelings of discouragement and despair, as there appears to be no end in sight. We all see, firsthand, morality disintegrating in front of our very eyes, from the world stage in what’s happening to Israel, to the national stage in what’s occurring at our border, and to the local stage in what’s unfolding in our public schools. For the unbelievers in Christ, this is understandable. They don’t know the truth. They are completely oblivious to God’s plan. To them, this is it. This is all they know.
The reality is that this is simply the same story, different era. Moral decay has been around since the creation of mankind, from Adam and Eve to the Holocaust and everything in between and afterwards. Ephesians 2:2 tells us that Satan is the ruler of the kingdom of the air and the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. It’s important to know that he may have some power now, but that will come to an end.
This is where our view, as true followers of Jesus Christ, should be opposite of the world’s view. We know the truth. We know the ending of the story. Satan loses and God wins! Satan will be destroyed. Until that day comes, however, our faith will be tested. The Bible is literally being played out before our very eyes. There’s no sugar coating it, things will get worse:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Despite this continual downward spiral, it should be all the more encouraging for us followers of Christ. It should drive us closer and closer to Him with even more diligence. This will take us into a deeper relationship with Him than we could have ever imagined:
James 1:2-5 (NKJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
So no matter how much moral depravity transpires around us, let us continue surrendering to The Holy Spirit and dig into God’s Word. Let us remain obedient to Jesus’s commands. Let us be the light in the darkness until the day of His’ glorious return!
Wayne Errig