I’ve been thinking out loud about my view of the end times. I’m seeking to align my views with Scripture, not popular Christian opinion. I understand how the one who disguises himself as an angel of light can infiltrate the Church and lead her so far astray that she can contradict what the Lord said. When deception involves prophecy the consequences are dangerous for everyone.
Since God intended us to be lights in the world and describes the Church as a tree where “the birds of the air come and nest in its branches” (Matthew 13:33) we ought to “believe in the Light, so that [we] may become sons of Light.” (John 12:36) We ought to stay focused on shining the light of the Gospel upon every area of our lives whether that is upon our church, our family, our government, or our business. The Lord’s teachings were meant to sober us up to deal with all our problems effectively. Satan’s deceptions do the opposite turning us into pillars of tasteless salt “no longer good for anything.”
The Gospel is a lamp unto our feet. To see what I mean, look at John the Baptist. Jesus thought John the Baptist was the greatest man that ever lived. Of himself John would not say he was anything more than “a voice crying in the wilderness.” Luke understood him to be a man that went about preaching the Gospel.
Luke 3:18 So with many other exhortations he preached the gospel to the people. NASU
The “many exhortations” Luke is referring to are rather enlightening. Go back a few verses and see.
Luke 3:10-14 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” 12 And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” 14 Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.” NASU
Notice his exhortations placed moral obligations and responsibilities upon certain institutions and classes of people. I believe it is safe to say that Luke was a Christian when he wrote this. He was evaluating and assembling events that had happened in a way that would explain the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His comment about John is weighty.
Both John the Baptist and Luke understood the Gospel to be a transforming light that illuminates every area of our lives. Paul understood this too. Much could be said to point this out, but let me try to be brief by pointing to one sentence that encapsulates my point today.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. NASU
Regardless of the darkness, the complexity, or the difficulty we face in our personal lives, our government, our family, our church, or our business, we ought to meet such challenges with the same attitude Paul exhibited. His positive attitude wasn’t created by interpreting the signs that were prevalent in his day or by counting on God to interrupt humanity to solve all his problems. Instead, his positive mental attitude was created by a clear understanding of the Gospel. The Gospel compelled him to obtain oil for his lamp and take on responsibility.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. NASU
I’ve been thinking we ought to think more like Paul. We need to remember the Gospel is a lamp unto our feet. We ought to travel the road he traveled. It may be dark and lonely, but look ahead into the future. Do you see a brighter light, one that lights the entire path? I do and I’ll point this out next time.
Rejoice!
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5. The Road Less Traveled