Pastor's Column 11/17/2024

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets  will also appear and deceive many people.  Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.  And  the Good News  about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world. So that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.  

Matthew 24:10-14, NLT

 “It Isn’t Over Yet!”   

The unpleasant and hard realities of life may tempt some to feel that there’s an eminent end to the future. We long to experience what is just and right in our world, and when this possibility is disrupted, we feel some anxiety. This is one reason we come to realize that faith has great value when, despite setbacks we can still have hope in the unseen and not yet. If this were not so, the Apostle Paul said our faith would be in vain. The truth we stand on would be useless, but for the victory it inevitably brings! The eternal words of Jesus that were preserved and given to believers, was during a period Christians encountered much persecution. Threats of death and murderous executions were rampart. Disruptions of their meetings and punishment were common occurrences. Jesus predicted such a time would come. Yet He assured them that despite all the upheaval around them, “The end is not yet.”  It’s often difficult to hear the Voice of assurance in the rancor, dissention, and attacks of the misguided and morally corrupt souls who believe they have a stronghold on a beleaguered people and nation.  What Jesus said to the disciples is relevant to our present national context. The daily warfare we observe; the racial tropes; disrespect for the dignity and worth of all people; and the perversion of the truth, permeate a society with dangerous leadership. Jesus told the early Christians one of their greatest assets is the ability “to endure to the end.” Jesus was saying never give in to the wrong around you, and never give up nor surrender your faith in what I have taught you.   We must never compromise the truth for a false comfort, which you feel allows you to escape the wrath of those who are wrong. To be silent, or to give in to immoral leadership, is to be an accomplice, against God’s call for justice and righteousness!