As the days continue to grow more dark and evil, it becomes increasingly urgent for the Church to stand firm and hold its ground, advancing as we have the opportunity. The darkness has been pushing hard against the light and gaining ground we would have never thought possible in the past. Meanwhile, the churches in the land seem content to appease the sinful advances in hopes of everyone getting along.
Jesus did not come to make a way for everyone to get along. He didn’t sacrifice His life so darkness could coexist with light. He died and rose again to provide a way out of the darkness and death. We are called out of the dark, not to accommodate it. The Word of God does not change. It is steadfast, and it is final.
To the pastors and churches who are allowing sin into their congregations and are abandoning the clear laws of God, I remind them of Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness, who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” The words of Isaiah are a strong admonition for each of us personally as well. What parts of the culture have we allowed into our lives? Where have we compromised and allowed Satan to gain a foothold? Are we enjoying things in life that violate the commands of Christ and scripture?
I was recently wrestling with a dilemma, trying to decide whether to do something. It seemed somewhat neutral, but then a couple of questions came into my mind. “Will doing this build the Kingdom of God? Is it honoring to Christ?” I had to answer no on both counts. So, the decision was made. Most of our decisions are that simple. If they aren’t, it’s probably a sign we are trying to rationalize our answer. It is now a matter of whether we will intentionally sin. Again, this should be an easy choice.
Satan has done a remarkable job of infiltrating both the hearts of individual Christians and our churches. There was once a firm dividing line between what was of the world and what was of the church. Christians were always to go and engage the world with the good news of Jesus, but it was a one-way street. The evil of the culture was never supposed to darken the doors of the church. Several decades of compromise have left us in the mess we have now. It started small but has exploded to the point where someone from only 30 years ago would be hard-pressed to recognize the modern church.
Let me leave you with what has become my favorite two verses in the Bible. “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. Your every action must be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). This is a direct command to men, but we need women to be of the same mind. Don’t compromise your faith. Don’t back down when the culture shouts in your face. If we are to shed any light on this dark generation, it is imperative we call the evil men do what it is – sin. Millions are dying and going to Hell. Our love for them compels us to be a beacon in the night. We must point them to Jesus.
Don’t fear the darkness of this world. Don’t let it breach the guard upon your heart. Call what is evil bad and what is true, good. As Solomon said, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The whims of culture, which are driven by the devil, do not establish new truths. Only Jesus is true. Only His Word is gospel. We must cast aside everything else. Be alert. Stand firm. Rescue as many souls as you can.