I followed with great exhilaration the very recent discussion involving Jan Markell and Mark Henry on the Tube. There was a takeaway that almost blew my mind when Pastor Henry touched on passages from the Second Epistle of Timothy. It all pointed to the realities of living by the Gospel of truth in these terminal times. But there were indeed a lot of insights with regard to keeping one’s head above choppy waters!
Never before in the lifetime of many people has there been loads of information. Sadly speaking, much of it is truly toxic when it comes to walking in the Living Word. It can range from highly deceptive chatter concerning the flesh and its desires to fusillades of foul language. Lengthy exposure to this sort of setting truly harms our souls; seducing spirits of darkness would ultimately find their way in a matter of time, wreaking havoc once they have gotten a foothold!
“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness” (2 Timothy 2:14-16).
In the light of current-day realities, there is definitely a need for tightening up in many quarters. There is certainly a myriad of no-nos in cyberspace; selectivity is crucial where content matters. The same applies to printed material in old-school format meant for reading. It might make sense for those turning their backs on ungodliness to forsake the crowd but, in turn, strongly prefer serenity. It is such a setting that is conducive for prayer and meditation – the focus being on godliness!
Here comes quite a bit of a tough nut – a hardboiled realignment of social networks. Not necessarily the case of pulling away from almost everyone, but those that do the bidding for the evil one. Sadly, a lot of these folks come from Christian circles. They are the kind that peddle doctrines that are in clear violation of what is taught in the Counsel of God. The worst of this bunch is the kind that engages in vociferous and often inflammatory arguments over contentious subjects of zero value. Turning our backs on these individuals and walking in the direction set by the Holy Spirit is the right course of action.
“For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth; men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was” (2 Timothy 3:6-9).
From the look of things as they are going, the breathing spaces available for believers in Christ are genuinely shrinking – at almost warp speed! In case no one gets it, this is where the enemy unleashes his disdain for the perseverance of the saints. Welcome to the realm of persecution! “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
Not so much about gulags in places like North Korea and China, but it takes another form in the so-called free world. There is that inescapable though oftentimes subtle labeling by mainstreamers. The trending in this direction has gotten more than its fair share of wind in the sails of late. Much of this is through none other than social media that has brainwashed the unthinking masses in echoing the disdain shown by the enemy to the Body of Christ!
It is no longer fiction when there are countless friendships and relationships breaking up; it all has to do with one party not bending backward but unwavering in walking the talk. It can also be the case at the workplace where conversations with specific individuals are kept to a bare minimum – more of a need-to basis! All because the majority have been programmed to think a certain way, and there is a stubborn minority who disagree. The dissenting lot pay the ultimate penalty – being swept aside and quite conspicuously labeled as people living on the fringe. It is not that difficult to spot this trendline; more and more loners are surfacing. It comes as no surprise that they belong to the Bride of Christ!
About everything narrows down to one thing – hanging tough until the Bridegroom comes for His spouse. For this to happen, the Body of Believers must be fully equipped with the Living Word – not just knowledge and understanding but, more so, practice! Walk the talk and be victorious!
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Any believer viewing the current situation through the lens provided by the Holy Spirit will experience exceeding joy despite the crude readjustments. When one walks closely with the Lord, the glory and grace of God will shine brighter while things of the earth slip away into obscurity. This somewhat backbreaking realignment is only temporary. Do consider the eternal goodness and mercy that is bestowed on every true believer!
Maranatha
Edwin
Contact me at edwinuk13@gmail.com