There seems to be a lot of difficulty today. People are struggling with uncertain financial and relational futures. I suppose many feel like their fragile marriages and way of life are bending under an almost unbearable weight.
For them, what's over the horizon just doesn't seem as bright as it once was.
When challenges arise - and they always do - it's easy to get caught up in the throes of despair. After all, that is how the mass of humanity responds.
Nevertheless, Spirit-filled believers - people like you and me - should have an entirely different outlook.
Though troubles will certainly come, the clutches of darkness simply cannot not hold us (at least for very long). Evil talks a good talk, but ultimately isn't that powerful. I don't care what the T.V. preacher says, darkness will never completely overtake the earth.
With every passing day it's the goodness of God that transforms and defines the cosmos. We no longer have to be trapped under the suffocating thumb of darkness. A surpassing goodness is arising!
The Apostle Paul wrote, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"
(Romans 12:21). From this simple passage we see that believers don't have to submit to the darkness. No matter how strong evil appears to be, it doesn't have a chance before what is already at work in us.
Stand up and throw off the shackles of darkness. Goodness is arising!
Stand up and throw off the shackles of darkness. Goodness is arising!
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Responding to this blog post one reader emailed the following to me,
ReplyDelete"Wishful thinking here! But reality dictates that horrendous times loom in the horizon and Christians (especially) are not geared nor prepared to suffer 'great tribulation,' because they have put their trust in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven (to escape persecution), which is not biblical."
In response, I would like to say the following:
#1. Yes, I believe in the strong Scriptural reality of the success of the gospel and the victory of the Church prior to the resurrection. Though there may be great challenges and even persecution, I believe the Church of Christ will be triumphant. Fear mongering and broader defeatism has immobilized the Church. I don't believe that I am mistaken.
#2. I mentioned nothing in this post about the rapture. Where are you getting that?
Why are we so sidetracked by these issues?