I believe William Butler Yeats’ poem “The Second Coming,” especially the first stanza is prophetic. “Turning and turning in the widening gyre/The Falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere/ the ceremony of innocence is drowned; the best lack all conviction while the worst/ are full of passionate intensity.”
The latest Gallup poll gives evidence that the center is not holding. “The fact that the 10 most polarizing years have all occurred in the past 16 years,” notes Gallup, “affecting both Democratic and Republican presidents — underscores how politically polarized the nation has become. There have always been partisan gaps in ratings of president, just not to the degree seen over the past two decades”
This poll is a good indication of what might be coming during this election year. We are at a point where no one is going to be a real winner, because of the deep divide. Many observers of our culture are giving us fair warning for the stormy days ahead politically and culturally.
But men, the good news is that we have someone who is at the center and holds things together. Paul makes this declaration in Col. 1:15-16, “He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation. Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together”
Hebrews declares there is a creator who holds everything together simply by what He says. “God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says – powerful words.” (Heb 1:2-3 – Message).
So men. remember in your thoughts and intentions to keep Jesus at the center. He will hold not only the world together, but also our lives. He tells us “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Yes, we are overcomers in this divided world, because we are committed first to Jesus and his kingdom. John tells us, “…everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (I John 5:4-5)
Jesus has conquered all potential enemies by his death on the cross. “He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets” (Col 1:14-15 Message)
So men, Jesus has not only overcome all that is opposed to his kingdom, but we, as overcomers in him, are invited reign with him. “To him who overcomes I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Rev 3:21)
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