Urgency of the Times

I think most people would agree that our 21st-century world moves very fast. Epic changes are rapidly happening on a geopolitical, cultural, and religious basis around the globe, and we often feel pulled in different directions. This makes it extremely hard to do life the way we wish as Christians. 

If epic changes are challenging the Church, shouldn’t we be open to meet them with a heroic effort? 

In light of the present circumstances of our culture, I am reminded of the cry of Jeremiah when he wrote, “O, land, land, land, hear the word of the Lord (Jeremiah 22:29)!"

And in Romans 13, Paul relays a similar sentiment to the Roman Church that is still relevant to the Church today.

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” -Romans 13:11-12 

In this call to wake up, Paul reminds us that light always overcomes darkness. If we hide the light of Christ under a basket, it can’t shine into our dark world. Christians must ask our Lord to put us on public display with the message of truth and a heart of grace, letting our light shine.

It is no accident that each of us has been called to live at this time in history for God’s purposes. God’s greatest gifts are not things but opportunities.

And today we have been given a great gift of opportunity to make much of Christ’s redeeming love by simply living out God’s grace and boldly declaring the truth of the gospel. Opportunities surround us, and I believe Christ Jesus is sounding a clear call to His people to get ready for the fight.

During serious, changing times, Christians must engage in serious thinking with an intense focus on God’s perspective because there is undefiled truth in God’s thinking, and He has absolute authority to accomplish His plans and desires.

“The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.’” -Isaiah 14:24 

His last chapter will be done and carried out in detail just as He has said. This being the absolute case, it is imperative that Christians see, understand, and commit to the last chapter. Jesus is coming quickly to restore what was broken by sin. There’s an urgency to share His message of salvation to the lost before it’s too late.

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