So it’s all crazy cray and absolutely insane right now—that sounds about right in a society where sin and sinners dwell. It seems the less submitted a culture is to God, the real God of the Bible, the less stable the society and vice versa. We read in the Old Testament how Israel, God’s chosen people by whom He wanted to reveal himself to other nations, were literally throwing their children into fires to worship a #fakenews god called Molech (Lev. 18, 20, Jer. 32). Also in the New Testament how certain men wanted to throw the God-man Jesus, who created them, off a cliff (Lk. 4) and claim that his power came from satan (Mat. 12).
Sin is insanity. Even the kingpin of sin, ie satan, though already defeated in every way, is so convinced he can still overthrow God, who made him as well, that he continues to try and fight God and his people. Though he can’t do anything without God’s permission (Job), he will meet him for a great end times “battle” that he will lose and end up thrown in the lake of fire (Rev. 20). So pretty much all the craziness we see going on in the world and our Western culture is a normal result of sin. Many of us just happened to grow up in or experience the blessings and joy of a culture mostly submitted to God, that the unraveling thereof is just mind boggling as we watch it.
Yet, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed,” (1 Peter 4:12–13, ESV). Ya know, I was going to waffle on in my inadequate words about how we Christians should continue to do good, serve one another and fight for the gospel and truth while God gives us breath on earth. I was also going to link to the letter Chinese Pastor Wang Yi from Early Rain Covenant Church wrote and had released when he got arrested (and I believe no one has since heard from him) encouraging readers to do these same things and trust God and serve, no matter how fiery their trial. If you haven’t read it, you need to, repeatedly, as do I. It’s mind boggling in the God direction like a drink of refreshing water.
But you know, all y’all know about the craziness all around us, and my recent encouraging witnessing experience at the Greenville women’s march and new evangelism endeavors pale in comparison to the encouragement we receive in God’s Word. So I’m just gonna leave you with all of 1 Peter 4, because it’s so timely and really sums up everything I wanted to say in this post. Though please pray for me, because I started venturing out to the local playground to evangelize to other mom’s there, and that’s a hard, fearful demographic for me. Give me a drunk atheist swearing in my face any day, ha! Yet God is my strength in weakness right (2 Cor. 12)? Always and forever. Peace out and bon appetit 🙂
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. — 1 Peter 4 🐘
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