You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.”
–C.S. Lewis
“At no time, perhaps, since the Reformation have Christians as a body been so unsure, tentative, and confused as to what they should believe and do. Certainly about the great issues of Christian faith and conduct is lacking all along the line. The outside observer sees us as staggering on from gimmick to gimmick and stunt to stunt like so many drunks in a fog, not knowing at all where we are or which way we should be going. Preaching is hazy; heads are muddled; hearts fret; doubts drain our strength; uncertainty paralyses action.”
–J. I. Packer
Only a few more days left. Are you all in a tizzy over the election? What will happen? One thing I can almost guarantee; life will continue, but things will definitely change. The thing is, are you prepared? One more thing–don’t fret!
There are a few things to consider. Jonah went out one day preaching to that evil city Nineveh that represented the most hated people of ancient time–the Assyrians. They were extremely cruel, ruthless, and inhuman people. Yet, by the time he finished his preaching the city had repented and God spared them. Another time, Jeremiah preached hope. Hope that the nation would repent because there was a coming invasion that would destroy Jerusalem. There was no repentance, Jerusalem and the Temple was destroyed, but that didn’t stop Jeremiah from preaching hope. Then there were those taken captive during this invasion to Babylon. You do remember Daniel and his friends? Three different situations, but God was involved with them all, and most important God had people involved.
Now you say, that is fine and good but it is Old Testament. Let’s move to the year 313. Christians for a couple of centuries had been persecuted by Imperial Rome. Then in that year at Milan, Constantine made Christianity a legal religion. Rome indulged in all sorts of decadence, immorality, and wickedness. One of those things was putting to death Christians as a spectacle in the arena. Now in the reign of Constantine there was a reprieve. You may say what you want about Constantine, but there is little doubt that he was an instrument of God in this situation. True, Rome fell, but it was 150 years later.
No matter who wins the election, Christians continue to have an obligation to serve God. Obedience to His Word will become more and more paramount, especially as evil may continue to rise and show its uglier face. When will the end come? I don’t know, but until that trumpet sounds we are to occupy. Light, salt, spread the Gospel, live the Gospel, and don’t compromise. Take some time and review Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. The testimonies of those who compromised versus those who stood for Christ. This is not a time to be ashamed of the Gospel!
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
–Matthew 28:20 (NLT)