Our world is falling apart. Our country is going down the toilet. Smut, garbage and trash of all sorts are thrust in our faces while society grows comfortably numb and the church languishes under the burden. It seems like all is lost.
Tired of hearing “gloom and doom”? Well, allow me to remind you of something gloomy Christians seem to have forgotten. “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Do you remember that verse?
By some Christian’s actions and attitudes, you would think that all is lost, that we are fighting a loosing battle. Too often, we see Christians mull about their daily life with heads hung low in grief and sadness, appalled by the supposed fact that they can do little to change the downward spiral into which “everything” and “everyone” seems to have fallen. But, such should not be. “Everyone” and “everything” is way too broad a generalization. There are still those who have overcome!
God scolded a self-pitying Elijah when he thought the odds were too great and the battle lost, pointing out that Elijah was not alone. “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18). In the New Testament, Paul, in the midst of persecution says, “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:4). How could Paul preach such gladness in such turmoil? Where did he get his strength? I think he took literally the words of our Savior: “… the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (the church, JDS) “.
In Jesus’ church, we have won! No matter how difficult the road, how great the trials, how far society plummets away from godliness, we have overcome the world. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Be of good cheer! Just imagine it, a world confused and searching for joy turning to Christ Jesus for the answers of life. They experiment with every harmful and damaging perversity of Satan only to find that it leads to hopelessness and frustration. And then they notice the Christian, always at peace, happy to be alive to do the Master’s bidding. For some lost and confused soul, you may be the only difference they experience that turns them to heaven from hell. You can with a confident smile lead them to heaven, or you can convince them with your sad, defeated countenance that Christianity has no more answers than the many experimental, failing philosophies of life.
Smile, and be confident about this life. The church of Christ stands and we have overcome the world in Christ Jesus.
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