Do you ever feel (as I sometimes do) that the world is encroaching on the Christian community more than Christians are influencing the world? Do you feel that in this battle to win hearts and souls to our Savior that the forces of Satan are arrayed in battle and are assaulting you on every front? Do you encounter people who are two and three generations away from the teachings of the church and seem totally unconcerned about their souls or those of their families? Do you meet those who profess faith but have not found it necessary to depart from their old sinful ways?
I am reminded of the Samaritans who had become idolaters (though not all) under Jeroboam and had then been conquered by the Assyrians. They were a long way from their Jewish heritage by this time. They were confused and had lost their way, so they decided to combine all the influences in their lives. II KINGS 17:33 is chilling: “They feared the Lord and served their own gods.”
Is it possible to do both? I think not!
BUT “I have good news to bring. . .”
God told Moses as the Egyptians were chasing the Israelites that “The Lord shall fight for you. . .” Therefore, we must not grow weary or faint. There is no retreat in this fight and regardless of what the world does, we can stand firm on the foundation of our faith and continue to live it and proclaim it.
“It is finished! The battle is over. And Jesus is Lord!”
Let us not forget those in whose lives the battle is still raging and protect ourselves from the “wiles of the devil” with the reading of God’s Word, praying, witnessing, and enduring until the end.
