Steve’s Blog

(Author’s note: This article is the first of several articles dealing with a Biblical response to what is happening in our world.)

I sit at the computer with a complex mix of emotions and thoughts.  Somewhere in the middle of the religious, social and political maelstrom that exists today is a Biblically balanced view of what is actually happening in the world today and how to prepare for it as Christians.  I offer neither a “head-in-the-sand” approach or sensationalism and hype. I hope to offer a Biblical perspective and suggest an appropriate response.

It is obvious that our world has turned a corner.  It appears that even our own country has started down a path that will change things from here on out.  I believe we are approaching the last days at a rapid pace.  There is cause for concern all around us.  In the mid ’80s God spoke to my heart and said, “I have called you to warn them and prepare them.”  The obvious question is: “warn them and prepare them for WHAT?”  I believe that answer to be: THE LAST DAYS. 

It is extremely important to know what we are preparing for.  Preparing for the wrong thing means we are unprepared for what will actually happen.  Preparing for the right thing in the wrong way is equally disastrous.

Likewise it is important HOW we warn people and HOW we prepare them.  Fear, anger and self-righteous indignation will truly motivate some people, but does it get the job done in the long run?  Does it prepare us correctly for the right thing?  And above all, does it genuinely reflect God’s plan and nature?

 I worked in the secular media for over 20 years.  HYPE sells!  Controversy increases print sales and viewership.  And in the religious arena sensationalism in the pulpit (wooden, print, electronic or otherwise) still generates dollars for the offering plate.  In fact, people  with strong views, religious or political (God help us when they collide), are the easiest to get stirred up.  Just draw a cartoon making fun of Mohamed and see what the Muslims have to say about it.  The secular media pundits know that in the grab for market share they MUST stir stuff up.  A mundane news night means fewer advertising dollars.  After all, they do what they do for a living.

While I do not argue that there are some significant and even scary things blowing in the political, social and religious winds, I am greatly troubled by the tremendous amount of hatred, fear and plain old hype coming out of some corners; especially those people who claim to speak for God.  Fear, hatred and speculation are NEVER God’s methods.  I reject those things wholesale as being beneath the mandate of the Church which  to love our enemies and preach the gospel of the Kingdom. 

The world is not being drawn to Christ because of the political agenda of some, but rather it is being ridiculed, mocked and ignored.  Why?  Because it has not presented the NATURE Christ.  It has tried to present the LAW without the SPIRT.  Jesus and Paul both said the law without the spirit is DEATH.  Jesus said, “The words I speak unto you are spirit and life.” 

Keeping the ten commandments has never saved, nor ever will save a single person.  So telling people to live by them seems a bit ridiculous unless it is presented in the context of saving grace.  Politics is not about salvation, it is about social control.  The key to maintaining a Christian nation is evangelism and discipleship, not politics.  If a person is converted and doesn’t want to have an abortion or live with a gay lover it is more effective than creating a law saying they can’t.  History proves people ignore laws in favor of their own personal choices.  (E.G. drugs, prostitution, etc.)

The Church’s response to world conditions need to be biblical, spiritual and honest, without emotional sensationalism.  God has not given us a spirit of fear (timidity; cowardliness), but of of power (GR: miracle working power), love (GR: Agape; self-sacrificing) and of a sound mind (GR: self controlled).  In other words the Christian, walking in God’s Spirit, is not motivated by fear, driven by hatred or given over to despair and hopelessness.  Instead they present a peaceful assurance in the God they serve as Did Jesus before the Roman authorities at His trial, the apostles in front of the Sanhedrin and countless others before courts, popes and tyrants throughout the ages.

The Bible is plain.  Some awesome and terrible things will happen in the last days, but that was only part of the story and not the most significant.  The other part is the triumph of God over evil and finally death. The days ahead of us are a catalyst to move people to or from God.  The Church has one of the greatest opportunities to win souls just before us.  Let’s make sure we are preaching the right message.  Remember, Jesus said, “my kingdom is NOT of this world.”