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Thursday, February 12, 2015
Resist rationalizing the “president’s” evil
The complete mischaracterization of Christians as par with Islamic State terrorists by the occupant of the Oval Office has brought out some interesting thoughts from several Christians. Most are outraged and feeling that no one hears them when they call for the “president’s” ouster. They should never give up. The more said and demanded, the more people hear it. There are a few Christians, however, who have a concept that they can do nothing about it and that the “president” is only moving prophecy ahead faster, so he is actually working on behalf of God. Their belief is that nothing should be done to prevent him. This is unscriptural. We should resist the temptation to rationalize evil as a way to advance prophecy.
What is our calling? Jesus instructed us in Matthew 28:19-20 to make disciples, saying, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” In Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Jesus said in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Jesus’s last words before he ascended: “Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Jesus gave us parables to illustrate the importance of what we do in his absence. In Luke 12:37, Jesus says, “Blessed are those servants whom the lord when he comes shall find watching.” And in verse 40, he says, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at an hour when you think not.” There is a similar theme in Matthew 25 with the 10 virgins, ending in verse 13, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.” Following this parable is that of the talents, where Jesus tells that the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country and disperses his goods unto his servants. Those who multiplied the talents were good and faithful servants. In Luke 19:13, Jesus gives still another similar parable ending with “Occupy till I come.” There are many more examples.
We are not supposed to rationalize evil because it advances God’s plan. It is not our place. God’s plan will play out on his schedule and on his terms. We do have instruction, however, to occupy till Jesus returns; to overcome evil with good; to make disciples; to preach the gospel; and having done all, stand against evil. We are also shown by Jesus’s own parables that we must be about his business here on earth, and those who choose otherwise risk chastening when the Master returns. We each have a responsibility to Christ. It’s not what he can do for us. It’s what he instructed us to do after dying for our sins. Working out our salvation requires obedience and action, usually in the face of evil.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson
For God’s Glory Alone Ministries thanks Bill Wilson and www.dailyjot.com
