Whenever I go visit my daughter and her family, I quickly (and easily) get lost in my grandson’s world. The toddler world he inhabits is filled with all things magical and wonderful. Simple. All is right, well, and good in his world. (Thankfully so—because, most unfortunately, that isn’t the case for all toddlers.)
The transport often happens without noticing. Recently, I was halfway home before I was jarred back to reality. It was a startling collision, when I remembered that we do, in fact, live in a rather hostile world—where things are not okay.
The state of the world was not okay for the early Christians either. They certainly experienced the harsh realities of this world. And yet we read early on in Acts that they were filled with awe and wonder. They saw the works and miracles of Jesus. They heard the gospel message. They witnessed the Spirit usher in a new era. And they strengthened one another toward endurance.
That overshadows the ways of the world any day!
In our youth, we believe the lie and grab hold of the world. We are won over by her clichés and charmed by her gilded wares—until we’re bitten. Until we become aware of the ugly beasts laying in shadow. We might then try to arrange things to obstruct our view. Or cover with a decorative layer. Worse yet, we might let entertainment create a diversion . . . or numbness.
The only way out is truth. The truth of Jesus Christ. Only He can save us from the world’s clutches.
When that revelation comes, choice follows. Will we repent? Turn? Will we realign our worldly allegiance? And reset our values?
A healthy perspective of the world is the one Jesus had. The one that is laid out for us in the New Testament. There we learn of the true nature of the world. There we learn of the divisions, factions, and power struggles of the world. There we learn that the sin of the world kept Jesus from the throne of David. He chose the reign His Father held out for Him. Rather than the kingdom of this world (that satan offered Him), He chose to rule the kingdom of God.
The world has the power to destroy. But Jesus has the power to save. To rescue us from it and deliver us through it. And to heal and redeem the scars it inflicts.
Though we still live in this world—where bad things continually happen—we have hope. We possess the witness of the gospel of Christ Jesus. We have the all-sufficient, sustaining grace of God Jesus suffered the world to impart.
Though we live in shadow, we have Light.
But it can be an anxiety-inducing and dangerous place. However, we can’t abandon it. We can’t give up on the world—because God has a plan for us in this world. Jesus has set us on mission. And He’s given us the Spirit to be His light. Just imagine how dark this world would be without Christians in it. Now that’s scary! The world needs to see the beauty of Christ. And it can only be seen through those who embody His Spirit. Moreover, what the world desperately needs is love. His love should be manifest through His people. And most visible through the love for one another among the members of His family.
Jesus gifted the church as a microcosm where His disciples can thrive in this world. And overcome. Within His Body, His members are being sanctified and perfected by the Spirit. It’s where cleansing, healing, and maturing happens. It’s where His people are being sharpened and refined. When all the members function as designed, kingdom values are lived out . . . experienced . . . and shared with the world. It is where God’s manifest presence dwells and brings light, life, and love to the world. It's where God’s children can be filled with the same awe and wonder of their ancestors in the faith, who overcame treacherous persecution, poverty, and suffering. And the more it grows, the more people there are to bear the Lord's likeness and encourage one another to faith, love, and good deeds.
Our infinitely patient God hasn’t given up on this world. He is still watching over it. Providing for it. Sustaining it. And offering salvation to its inhabitants. He is still using it to reveal His glory. And to which He will return in righteousness and justice to redeem it.
We may live in a world that's not okay, but we do so with faith in One who is other-worldly. Who died for this world. Who overcame this world. We do so with our sight fixed on a new world that will outlast the sun.
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