Jesus Has Overcome the World

Our world has changed dramatically in the last few years and not necessarily towards the direction God intended.

No longer is there prayer in public schools. We not only allow abortions, but taxpayer dollars pay for them. Organs of aborted fetuses are harvested for sale on the black market. We have a new secular definition of marriage. Regulations, not free markets, are driving business decisions. Our world is beginning to despise the rich, even when they use their money for God’s purposes.

Some have opined that the end must be near.

 Well … maybe …  but history has heard this refrain before.

 Consider the plight of Europe during World War I and especially World War II. There was almost total devastation in many areas. Consider  Germany during the 30 Years War (1618-1648). Many southern German villages were wiped out, and the population of many German Duchies was cut to a third.

 The plague that began in 1346 reduced Europe’s population by over 30%. St. Augustine wrote that the end might be near as civilization collapsed along with the Roman Empire.

 It is true our world is changing and not for the better. History, however, has seen millions, perhaps billions, of people fear for their lives as their world changed. We are not close to that point yet.

 Today’s reading is John 16:19-33. Jesus told his disciples that he would soon die, and what to expect. He also gave them words of encouragement, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”

 The Prince of the World is Satan (Rev 12:3,9). Satan was expelled from heaven and he wreaks havoc on the earth (Rev 12:9-12) today.

 It should come as no surprise that our lives, our way of life, and yes, our world, will be impacted by Satan from time to time. In fact, the world is driven – significantly -- by Satan.

 As Jesus said, he has overcome the world, that is, Satan. He also tells us that Satan will be condemned (John 16:11) and driven out (John 12:31).

 In spite of Satan's impact, Christ’s Church has proclaimed the Gospel for almost 2,000 years.

 We are being impacted again. Something tells me that Christ’s Church will continue to proclaim the Gospel.

 The world has changed, but we should take heart. After all, Jesus has overcome the world!

Soar Like an Eagle

It is hard to fly with eagles during the day if you hang out with turkeys all night.

 

You have probably heard that saying some time in your life. There is some truth in it. If you want to do well, you should be focused on your goals.

There is another lesson in this saying as well. Like it or not, you influence the people you are around, and they influence you. At times we have to gobble with the turkeys.  However, it is better to spend time with eagles so their behaviors rub off.

 

Today’s reading is Hebrews 5:11-6:12. The author is scolding Christian Jews because their spiritual growth has been stunted. As infants require milk for life, these converts only understand the very basic points of Christianity. They are at risk of losing their faith.

 

But who could blame them? They lived in the Roman Empire, and were influenced by its norms, mostly formulated from Greek culture. Greek culture thought homosexuality and multiple wives were acceptable. Unwanted newborn babies were placed on the garbage heap to die of exposure. The Roman Emperors wanted the people to worship them as gods; the local city-state officials desired that the people be loyal to them.

 

It was hard being Christian 2000 years ago. The world was a less than friendly pace for Christians. The recipients of Hebrews were apparently doing little to counter this negative cultural influence. They were spending too much time with turkeys.

 

Things really are not much different today. Our culture accepts homosexuality and intimate relationships outside of marriage. We don’t put newborns in the garbage heap – but we do put pre-borns in the garbage heap over a million times a year. We also live under a government that wants more power and is placing more and more restrictions on churches.

 

Perhaps we do have the same problems as the recipients of Hebrews.

 

There are times we have to hang out with turkeys. But we can also soar with eagles. We need to hang out with Eagles,  and this can include fellowship with other Christians, Communing with the Lord and reading the Word on a regular basis.

 

What are you doing to soar like an eagle?