How different things are now, as compared to yesteryear! I believe in some cases, a reader may be reading this article and have absolutely no idea of what I am talking about. I am not talking about, just the differences of, let’s say today and the 1960s, although I must admit those days of old felt better than today.
I can also admit, that in those days of old, people seemed to feel more settled and more at ease, if you will. Maybe one could say that back then, there didn’t seem to be so much drama taking place on a daily basis.
One could also say, people had common expectations of each other. They could look back and see where we had been, say a decade before, even three decades earlier. I don’t feel there is the same outlook on things of today; people are more self-conscious today, more introspective, if you will.
How odd is it, that the Word of God speaks of these exact situations in 2 Timothy chapter 3, of how people will be in these the last days. It definitely shows there is a definite dividing line, not only of social norms, but those we find between Christians and non-Christians.
I know I have written about that big black line. I have also written about those who are walking the grand highway that is wide and full; walking like zombies, and not on the narrow path that is seldom found or used which leads to the narrow gate. I have also spent time looking at that small word “few” that seems to stand out so prominently.
The 1960s did indeed have many conflicts of interest; the Vietnam War for one and then the usual issues with the politicians, etc. There was indeed controversy and discord. I am sure you will agree that back then was nothing like things are today. I am also sure that everyone can see that today, the dividing lines among people are more violent, a powder keg if you will. Sort of like a can of gasoline sitting too close to the fire. All one would need is one errant ember to start a catastrophe. People are more on edge, there are no safe havens anywhere.
People are worried about the financial outlook of our nation, their worried about religious factions that seem to be running rampant across the world. People are also mired in verbiage that tells us absolutely nothing, when everyone is working so hard to be politically correct, using just the right language and in the end it does nothing but produce fear in everyone. The situation seems to have hit the proverbial nerve in everyone’s teeth, setting them on an extreme edge. Volatile would be a good word to use.
If a person is willing to stop and think, I mean to really Think about things today, that person may be able to see what is causing all this trouble. It cannot be left to say, it is a loss of a moral compass, I believe it goes much deeper than that and the Bible spells it all out for us. People have walked away from God!
For the Bible student, it is plain to see, as in 2 Timothy chapter 3. Simply because it is a finite description of how people are, how they are acting and it shows the root cause of it all. SIN! I know, I have written a lot about our sins and it is never something that anyone wants to look at or think about.
Still as yet, it is the beginning of all our problems today. One must also remember how subtly it all began, as if it was a single, tiny, ripple in the pond and by today it is a disastrous Tsunami! It is literally flooding the entire globe. Everyone is looking for a way off this merry-go-round that is way too fast and out of control. They may have the appearance of being in control and doing well, yet they are scared to death of …?
The run for the White House is a smorgasbord of mayhem and is downright disgusting to say the least. Wall Street is on pins and needles, waiting for the floor to fall through and they don’t understand why it hasn’t already. Illegal immigration into the USA is making us the laughing stock of the world; we have lost our respect all around the world.
There are the “Haves” and the “Have Not’s” and those that have nothing want everything handed to them because they “deserve it” for one reason or another. It no longer matters who works and who doesn’t and to some degree, it seems more profitable not to work. As I have stated before, the world lives by the axiom, “It’s all about ME.” And so now everyone is wondering how this ship is staying afloat.
Matthew 8:23-26 – “And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”
Most people would read or hear this Bible story and say, “How nice!” And they would miss the entire reason for this story all together. Think of the wind and waves as a picture of the uproar in our lives; we are suddenly overwhelmed! Jesus Christ comes along and calms everything. How simple, right?
Do you really think that Jesus was sound asleep? Come on now, we are talking about God here, Jesus Christ IS one of the Personages of God, right? We must remember that God knows everything, from before HE ever created the universe! That being the case, do you think that Jesus was not aware of everything going on around HIM? Or as the story says, was HE waiting to see who would be faithful? How about this?:
Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Do you believe, that this Scripture is applicable to all the problems in our lives? Jesus Christ waits for you and me to come before HIM and lay all our problems at HIS fee.! The problem right now is that, only the born-again believer knows this to be true! And even more is that, we place all our “faith” in HIM because HE IS capable. With Jesus Christ we don’t have any problems. We fear nothing. HE is our anchor…our Rock…and HE is always with us.
Is it not obvious that Jesus Christ promised to never leave us or forsake us and that HE always does exactly what HE says HE will do? So what does that mean? It means we don’t have a care in the world. It means, all we need to do is to keep our eyes on HIM
He will calm our wind and our wave—we belong to HIM. So, if we have Jesus Christ to keep us safe, what does the rest of the world have? NOT a single thing. There is not so much as a safety net for them; they will die or ride out the storm alone. How sad is that?
Evidently, the rest of the world looks at you and me as literal nut jobs. They fail to understand and are not willing to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thus, they will endure the storm right up until the end. The question is, then what? What do they have to look forward to? It will NOT be heaven!
Who will calm their storm and save their lives in eternity! Who will calm YOUR storms and save YOU in eternity? Death as a human being comes for everyone; there are no exceptions. You live this life and one day you die. What do you think this life is for?
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
All Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV).
You may reach the author at: twobears44@gmail.com