What if I told you that there is an underground war going on that not only involves every nation on earth, but has been waging for thousands of years? That there is an evil force at work, seeking to subvert the entire world to its will, controlling every government and society. The battle is waged each day and the casualties surpass any war ever fought. Yet despite the staggering toll this war takes on our world, the battles are waged in so subtle a fashion, that even the most diligent of journalists and pundits fail to alert you to the catastrophic damage that it taking place right now....yes, even as we speak. No, this is not some admittance to swallowing the latest conspiracy theory being spun up to attract clicks and tweets, but a glimpse into our world as God sees it.
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
- 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
Although it can be said about the entirety of the Scriptures, this passage has always been particularly convicting to me. I read it often, in an effort to remind myself of the great cause of the Gospel. Every day we are confronted with the reality of the warfare described in this very passage. That, although we may have a knowledge of the need of each person to come into a saving relationship with Christ, we are becoming more and more distracted with the increasing infatuation with the unreal "reality" that is encroaching into our social spheres. As a result a curious new paradigm results where, not only is the devil seeking to blind souls, but we have in effect, become willfully blinded ourselves. Focusing on the temporal, and focusing our attention on the superficial. If we are going to reverse the tide of deceit that is clouding our culture from the glorious light of the Gospel, we must look outside of our walls (or rather look up from our devices), and make a conscious choice to be aware that the person sitting next to us on the airplane, those in the car in front of us in the traffic jam, and the family standing in line with behind us, are all souls that Christ died to save.
I understand that it would be unreasonable to expect to live every moment of every day striving to reach someone with the Gospel, but consider this observation. That, although there is a time and place for some leisure and "down-time", to have fun and disengage from the front, the devil, and those aligned with him know no such frivolity. He is working diligently, each and every day, to blind the eyes and minds of the lost in this world. So this week, when you are out and about, maybe put down the book, the phone, or the laptop, look to the person near you, striving to ensure that you are doing your part to pierce the deliberate darkness that might be blinding them.
Pastor Knight
Today's Bible Reading:
2 Timothy 2:1-26 KJV
[1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. [2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. [3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. [5] And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. [6] The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. [7] Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. [8] Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: [9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. [10] Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [11] [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also live with [him]: [12] If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us: [13] If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. [14] Of these things put [them] in remembrance, charging [them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers. [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. [19] Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. [21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work. [22] Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [23] But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. [24] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, [25] In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; [26] And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.