"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19 (NKJ)
It's a recurring event throughout human history - that we seem shocked when evil suddenly allows itself to be exposed, ... but it's not something new. Darkness has been lurking in the shadows waiting to leap out and strike fear where it can for as longs as time itself has existed. In fact, evil exposed itself even before that, but in terms of human history, its appearance was recorded very near the beginning of time. Lets not forget...
"Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." Genesis 4:8 (NKJ)
It's a recurring event throughout human history - that we seem shocked when evil suddenly allows itself to be exposed, ... but it's not something new. Darkness has been lurking in the shadows waiting to leap out and strike fear where it can for as longs as time itself has existed. In fact, evil exposed itself even before that, but in terms of human history, its appearance was recorded very near the beginning of time. Lets not forget...
"Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." Genesis 4:8 (NKJ)
We shouldn't be surprised by its sudden reappearance, but somehow we are. It's not as though it ever left and then suddenly returned. It's always around us, always seeking opportunities to pervert, to corrupt and destroy - especially when it comes to the precepts, wisdom, understandings, and people and things that belong to God. Evil never leaves, it just reverts to lurking in the shadows for a time, lulling the unguarded into complacency, and working its corrosive cancer where humans allow in less obvious places.
I've felt an urgency rising in me as I've watched the influence of darkness seemingly rise up in my lifetime, but I've also been reminded of some things that have brought greater confidence into my journey here and a determination to walk my faith in Christ Jesus triumphantly to the journey's end as others have before me - persevering not in my own name and strength, but in Christ who's already conquered.
"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name". Revelation 3:11-12 (NKJ)
This period of time is no surprise to God, nor is anything ever. And I firmly believe that we were meant to be born - chosen for this moment in time, with gifts, talents, and the capacity to bear the light of Christ in the time that He allows each of us - to be salt and the bearers of light in a world that would otherwise be overcome by the darkness. God has a plan and I have no doubt that we have a role to play in it. Ours is not to be surprised by the evil or to cower when it rears its head, but instead to walk confidently and obediently according to the instructions we've been given by The One True God, fearing only Him as the true power that exists to reign over all. For this life has no lasting value to us beyond what God has Himself instilled in us, through Christ's sacrifice and our sanctification, to be carried into eternity - the image of His Son, our Lord and Savior.
“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" Luke 12:4-5 (NKJ)
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:1-7 (NKJ)
Our steadfast walk of obedience and perseverance in the character of Christ toward that goal at the end of our journey will make the memory of this place pale beyond recognition as we remain faithful to the God who created us with great hope and love for relationship with Himself. I pray for your faithfulness and safe arrival at our mutual destination as we walk through the surrounding darkness - vanquishing it with the love, saving power and character of Christ Jesus.
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11 (NKJ)
Hold fast to your faith in Christ, because despite the roaring in the darkness, we've already won through Him!
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