Dear Brethren, Co-Workers and Friends,
With the plethora of man’s differing beliefs, there doesn’t seem to be an end to the growing polarization of ideologies. We see impassioned speeches, peaceful gatherings and civil unrest—all to further particular points of view. But mankind only grows further apart because the efforts to sustain beliefs are based upon false wisdom. Paul warned Timothy of such reasoning, “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith” (1 Timothy 6:20-21).
It is easy to become passionate about worldly viewpoints, such as politics and science, because we are surrounded by our unconverted friends, neighbors and even family that espouse those beliefs. Once we start bending our ears to that kind of knowledge, we are in jeopardy of straying from our faith. And once our reliance on the foundation of Christ begins to crumble, the roots of sin will dig deep and become entrenched. We cannot be friends with this world! “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
We don’t begin our day with the intention of sinning—sin comes as we drift away from God. We must preface any new thoughts or actions with the question, “Does this bring glory to God?” We know this world is not ruled by God, thus we cannot sustain ourselves by any of the “truths” created in it. We read in Proverbs, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 16:25). All that Satan has built is finite and will come to an end. We must focus on that which is eternal.
The time is not far off when the divide between the world’s inhabitants will no longer be only between themselves but will turn against the true followers of Christ. “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows” (Mark 13:7-8). If we continue to try and please the ungodly around us instead of God, we will be let down, “You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake” (Luke 21:16-17).
We can only rely on God to remain on the right side of the Truth. The Commandments handed down by countless generations are still valid and poignant for the world today. Christ, who gave these commandments to Moses, reiterated their importance for man today, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14).
Let us strive to have the Mind of God in the smallest of our daily decisions. If we do so, God will give us the greatest of all rewards, a place in His eternal Family.
With Christian love,
Robb Harris
