I
wrote the following article over ten years ago, but its message is more
relevant now than ever.It has been
updated slightly to reflect the latest developments, but it is mostly the same.This just shows our need to persevere in the
faith and be immovable in the Lord. -- S.E.D.
Wouldn't it be nice if there were an
isolated island where only those people who loved the Lord lived?It would be a place where a Christian could
live without having to endure the worldly influences of perverse culture.There would be no worry of the unthinkable
evils that are too common in our world today.There would be peace and joy and love.Wouldn't that be nice?
Unfortunately, no such place exists in
this world, nor will it ever exist here.The world is what it is, and it is not likely to change much.Sin and evil have their place in this world
because mankind has the ability to choose sin and evil.From the time Adam and Eve ate the forbidden
fruit, it has been so.Not even the
garden of Eden was exempt from sin.
We should not be surprised.Jesus Himself called Satan the "ruler of this
world" (John 12:31; 16:11) thereby recognizing the devil's hold on
mankind.Satan continues to have his
influence on the world, and the fruit of his labor is all around us.
It seems to be getting worse.We often long for the "good old days" (which
we should not do -- Eccl. 7:10).Many of
us have made statements such as "I just don't know what this world is coming
to."Day by day we hear of unthinkable
acts of violence and immorality as well as the normalizing of perversions of
all kinds.Some seek to make abortion
and euthanasia standard practice.We
have now seen the nationwide sanctioning of marriage among homosexuals.We fear acts of terrorism occurring in our
nation.We have even seen children who
become vicious murderers.These things
can weigh upon the minds of Christians.They can be downright depressing.
Christians, do not despair.You must not lose sight of this fact: Jesus
overcame the world long ago."But thanks
be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Cor.
15:57).That victory in Christ is
absolute and complete.Satan is already
defeated.Be assured that evil will not
win this war."No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37).
Christians must never take on a defeated
attitude. "You are the light of the
world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matt. 5:14).The darker this world seems, the brighter the
light of each Christian must become.Our
light comes from God."Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your
Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).
If evil seems to be on the increase,
Christians' efforts to persuade the world for good must increase all the more. "For we must all appear before the judgment
seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he
has done in the body.Therefore, knowing
the fear of the Lord, we persuade men..." (2Cor. 5:10-11).Christians know by faith what is coming -- the
Judgment.We must warn the world and
tell them the only victory is in Christ.
Even if that island away from the evils of
the world did exist, to go there would be to abandon the world that we are
bound by Jesus to save.To be the "light
of the world" or the "salt of the earth", we must remain in the world.Jesus left the glory of heaven to come into
this world of evil so that He could save it.Now we must do our part in the world to carry on the message of His
victory.
Dear Christian, you must do all that you
can.Prepare yourself to combat every
false way and promote the truth of God.Teach your children well, and do not turn them over to pop culture and
the wisdom of men.Be an example to all
of your relatives and lead the way.Encourage your brethren to put on the armor of God.Influence your friends, neighbors, and
co-workers for good.You can make an
immeasurable difference for good.Don't
you dare give up.
