We’re all responsible. Law and order is a job for all of us. If we shirk it long enough we will have anarchy, and we’ve built will be destroyed.”
–Louis L’Amour (The Empty Land)
“I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
–Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)
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Hatred seems to abound today. The more tolerance desired, the more hatred is seen. Governments have even encouraged people to spy on their friends and neighbors and turn them in if they are not practicing “conscientious protocol” during this “pandemic.” There has been a strong attack against churches, one state even going so far as to say churches cannot open until there is a vaccine. Hmmm, will the vaccine be mandatory?
Let me draw your attention to Matthew 10. This is where Jesus first sends out his disciples.
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues… Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
–Matthew 10:16-17, 21-22 (NKJV)
There is a cry today, especially by the youth for socialism. Stupid! They know not what they ask for! But above is a picture of socialism, for one of the first things it attempts to do is dissolve the family. Children belong to the State to eventually do its bidding.
However, I want you to see what Jesus did in sending forth men to do their duty. Joseph Parker writes, “He does not promise them a down pillow; He does not promise them genteel society; He does not offer them any social bribe. There is no mistaking the lot of the true Christian witness. Goodness is always hateful to evil; the beasts that gather together in the nighttime hate the light–you torment them if you turn a sudden blaze upon them, and they will display animosity and resentment. Goodness can never establish itself anywhere without a battle; it is a daily battle.”
The culture of today is proclaiming that evil is good and that good is evil. There is a purposeful confusion in our midst; postmodernism seeks to deconstruct everything. Think of the chaos that is caused when family turns against family, when neighbors report on neighbors, when friends reject friends.
There is a real battle going on with one side proclaiming progressivism, tolerance, political correctness which will bring a socialistic, peaceful society. Let’s put away our differences to seek the better good. “We have succeeded now in putting the fire out and have come to the age of courteous civilities and tender regard for one another’s evil habits. The old goodness, the Christ-goodness, fought every day, not with a blade of steel but with that keener blade of conviction, enthusiasm, sacrifice that counted not its life dear unto itself that it might win the battle against evil and darkness and corruption.” (Joseph Parker)
Try to explain true, pure, biblical goodness to someone and they will cry “racism,” or “bigot,” or “intolerance.” It is not goodness that many want, but freedom to express their wickedness and live as they wish. So as Jesus sent out His disciples with a warning, we should heed the same warning in this time. Do not wonder if men revile you; do not be surprised at their evil, but be alert, be wary and guard the truth.