SLIP OR GRIP?
Confronting the challenges and holding fast to unchanging truths in a rapidly changing world. By Steve Carpenter
Partisan politics, pandemics and protests have risen to the forefront, dominating the headlines, dismantling our fragile sense of normalcy and defacing the moral conscience of the masses for the last several months. Memes, instant messages and social media platforms are blowing up with every type of argument, human perspective, conspiracy theory and explanation of what we, as a global society, should feel, should say, or should do. The sensitivities are so heightened right now, it’s like you’re shamed if you don’t and you’re shamed if you do.
Is it Trump? Obama? Is it Racism? Is it Bill Gates or the Deep State? Is it 5G? Is it QAnon? Is it the Mark of the Beast? Is it birth pangs? A divided church? Should I take the vaccine? Join the protest? Accept the chip? Do I prepare to endure or escape? Does Jesus come back before, during or after the tribulation? Should I stock food, store money or buy gold? What about revival? What’s going on? Where should I put my focus? And what in the world should I do for the sake of my own life and the ones that I love?
Let me be clear, I don’t have the answers to all these questions and I’m pretty sure that you don’t either.
My hope is to shift our focus off of what we don’t know and tighten our grip on what we do know.
As adopted sons and daughters of the Most High (Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5), as citizens of a heavenly household (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20), and as individuals part of the glorious Bride who is making herself ready (Ephesians 5:27; Revelation 19:7), let me offer a few suggestions to stir up your pure minds by way of reminder (2 Peter 3:1), and strengthen your faith (Luke 22:32; Acts 16:5) as we seek to align ourselves with the Father’s purpose (Matthew 28:19) and faithfully walk out His master plan (Matthew 5:16).
1. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
2. We are to avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:23-26
3. We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16
4. We are to walk worthy of the calling with which we were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4: 1-3
5. We are to bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
6. We are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:12-14
7. We are to preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:2-5
The anecdote for itching ears are: opened eyes (Ephesians 1:17-21, a noble mind (1 Chronicles 12:32; Acts 17:10-12), and a burning heart (Luke 24:32).
This short exhortation is in no way meant to be exhaustive, and it is clear that there are many biblical principles to apply to the complex and layered issues at play in our world. But simply stated, the Psalmist is right: God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). He knows the way forward. His word and His Spirit will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Here’s a few other gems.
Darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:2
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:6, 13-14
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:7-11
My prayer is that the light of His word will blaze in your heart and radiate out from your life in the midst of these challenging and turbulent times. Tightening our grip on God’s word will keep our feet from slipping off God’s destined path for our lives (Psalm 18:30-36).
Please don’t misunderstand me or think that I am, in any way, underestimating or attempting to devalue the troubles in this world. The pain and the problems are real, but so is God’s word. His word is our greatest asset.
There are principalities and powers driving division and completely committed to the destruction of humanity. Fear, hate and greed are powerful forces that are not easily abated. Remember what Jesus said to his disciple, Peter; “I also tell you this: you are Kefa," (which means `Rock,’) "and on this rock I will build my Community, and the gates of Sh'ol will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18 CJB)
If you need to complain, pour out your complaint to the Lord (Psalm 142:2). If you need to rage, rage in intercession (Romans 8:26), because history belongs to the intercessor. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). That’s what Jesus said. Come on. It’s time to shine.