Month: December 2020 (Page 2 of 4)

I meet with a group of men at my church; we call ourselves “a band of brothers.” During a recent gathering, we talked about the spiritual decline of America and abandoned, wayward brothers. We agreed that one of our missions is to “rescue” other brothers, living with broken hearts, who could be influenced by cultural lies. Many could be sinking into despair, resigned to riding out the storm alone.  

As I prayed about this, I was drawn to Jude 22-23: “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire, to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”  

“Jude wants us to become involved in the painful, yet merciful, work of helping those who are wondering about falling, who are falling, or who have fallen” (Bible Speaks Today).  Jude seems to be describing believers who were in the various stages of falling away.  “What has happened is that some people have infiltrated our ranks (our Scriptures warned us this would happen), who beneath their pious skin are shameless scoundrels.  Their design is to replace the sheer grace of our God with sheer license – which means doing away with Jesus Christ, our one and only Master” (Jude 4 MSG). 

Oh, how easy it is for men to have their minds filled with teaching that denies the grace of God, only to get caught up in being religious and in the process moving further and further away from Jesus as Lord.  These men need to be rescued by other brothers. They live in confusion and brokenness, having lost their way home, now living in the far country (Luke 15).  Who will go and rescue them? 

According to Jude, men need to be rescued from three conditions:  First, those who are wavering.  “Some were in the early stages of wavering in their commitment to faith as a result of false teachers” (NIVZSB).  Brothers need to be  shown mercy, needing loving encouragement.  “Those driven into doubt need mercy” (N. T. Wright).  Learn to encourage struggling brothers.

Second, those who are in danger, “becoming so persuaded by the false teachers that they were in imminent danger of condemnation” (NIVZSB).  Some brothers will need rescuing from actual spiritual danger. Fire is an instrument of God’s judgment.  “Those seduced by the intruders need rescuing” N.T. Wright).

Third, those who are caught.  This group “probably consists of those who followed the false teachers” (NIVZSB), who are now caught in false teaching.  We are to show mercy but be cautious, so as not to be enticed.  “They must be urged to repent and warned of judgment” (N. T. Wright).  “Christians must be extremely cautious when showing mercy to false teachers and their followers because their sins can be enticing” (NIVZSB).

Jesus gave us fair warning of being taken in by false teaching. “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible. So be on your guard.  I have told you everything ahead of time” (Mark 13:22-23).  Men, you will be tempted to compromise your faith.  Satan wants to take you out of the fight.  

We who are committed to Jesus need to be aware of our wounded brothers.  There will be many in the days to come.  Paul gives us this charge and warning, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (Gal 6:1).

At its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum recently called for “The Great Reset.” Representing many of the world’s most powerful people, the Forum’s founder (Klaus Schwab) says a new movement called “the Fourth Industrial Revolution” will lead to “…a fusion of our physical, our digital and our biological identities.”  

Schwab believes the COVID-19 pandemic “represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine and reset our world to create a healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous future.”  With almost religious zeal, he declares, “nothing will ever return to the ‘broken’ sense of normalcy that prevailed prior to the crisis.”  The aim of the Forum is to deliver us from our “broken normalcy.”

I reference “The Great Reset” to expose the folly of such grand schemes for humanity, and point to the true historic “Reset” in the incarnation of God himself into history.  Jesus declared himself to be “the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” of human history (Rev 21:13). 

I write about “The Great Reset” during this Advent season, because Advent is meant to prepare (reset) our hearts to receive Jesus anew as our savior.  This has been a difficult year for many.  There is much uncertainty about the future and hope seems to grow dim for believers.  The subtle voice of the utopians wants to convince us of its solutions, overshadowing Jesus as the Lord of history. 

Men, we all need a new and fresh spiritual reset in light of the present suspicion, reluctance and uncertainty about the future.  But I want to shout about the elites who gather in Davos, “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them” for their arrogance and defiance of the almighty Lord of hosts (Ps. 2:4).

First, in our true reset we can be confident that God has spoken decisively in his Son Jesus. Hebrews 1:2 declares, “but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things.”  Paul boldly proclaims, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Col. 1:17). John begins his gospel with these resounding words, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14).  “Thank you, Father, for sending your only begotten Son to save us, enabling us to reset.”  

Second, those hoping for a Davos reset need to know that the spiritual kingdom of God is now reigning in the earth, and that Jesus will come back as Lord of Lords, to establish his everlasting kingdom.  In the book of Revelation, John boldly declares that we will remain with Jesus in his kingdom. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Rev 5:10). 

Third, those hopeful about Davos need to know there are multitudes of humble followers of Jesus laboring in his kingdom, under his authority.  This will bring everlasting results. “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:18-19)

Finally, we all need to remember that we are at war. Our battle is with the powers of darkness.  The struggle will be great.  “But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!  He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short” (Rev. 12:12).  But Paul tells us Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col. 2:15).