Monday, December 21, 2015

What In the World Is Going On? Overcoming the World

Peace on earth? Good will towards men? Some would question that those things exist in our world today, and with good reasons. We have watched as Islamic jihadist terrorists have wreaked havoc in virtually every part of the world, killing and injuring hundreds of innocent people. We have seen what happens when “political correctness” takes precedence over common sense and facts in evidence. For reasons that are baffling at best and fatally dangerous at worst, our country’s leader(s) has chosen to ignore or suppress the truth regarding an Islamic caliphate and those who are seeking to perpetuate its increase in size and geography.

History tells us that the religion known as “Islam” has always spread by the sword. The current generation of power seeking Muslim jihadists is not presenting anything new. What’s most frustrating is that our leaders refuse to acknowledge it and continue to make up excuses for their barbaric behavior. Cutting someone’s head off with a knife; burning people alive inside of a cage; throwing people from the tops of buildings; modern day crucifixions; raping little girls and women; all of this done in the name of a religion known as “Islam” and its prophet, Muhammad.

People have been clamoring for peace for hundreds of years, yet peace is the last thing we seem to have in our world today.

The economic situation around the globe has investors extremely cautious. We have seen the stock market decline consistently for months. Some of our political leaders are being investigated, and indicted, for criminal behavior, thinking that somehow, they are above the law. Unemployment is high; there has been rioting on the streets of Missouri and elsewhere; and there is very little trust in our governing officials, as time and time again, they have proven themselves to be inept or incompetent.

Wasn’t that an uplifting way to start this Christmas season? Keep reading, please.

Shortly before Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, He said to His disciples:

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

There it is ~ “in the world, you will have tribulation.” What I take from this is, don’t be surprised or fearful about what is happening all around us. Jesus confirms that that is what is going to happen. This is the rule, not the exception. This is the norm.

Believers are not supposed to seek peace in this world because it is filled with sin and sin brings tribulation, sorrow, sadness, evil, and all sorts of terrible crimes against humanity.

Believers are to seek peace in their right relationship with Jesus. Notice what He says, “that in Me you may have peace.” The peace that Jesus is speaking of is a peace between all believers, and our holy, heavenly Father. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, there has been made available to all believers forgiveness of sin, mercy, grace and a “cessation of wrath,” and that is the definition of peace. It is an inner peace, a spiritual peace.

Why is that true? Jesus tells us to “take courage, [because] I have overcome the world.” Jesus has defeated sin and death through the cross and His resurrection. He overcame the forces of evil and provides a way out of sin and separation from God for anyone who will believe and receive Him as their personal Savior.

In His high priestly prayer, Jesus defined eternal life, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3).

There will never be peace in this world until Jesus returns to rule and reign during His Millennial Kingdom. Until that happens, living under this world-system will always bring trials and tribulation, sin and sorrow.

So the question is, do you know the only true God and Jesus Christ, His Son whom “the Father sent to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14)?

There is no greater gift that can be received than “the gift of God,” which is eternal life (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Let us keep an eternal perspective. This is not our home. We are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20a). This world is just layover on our way to our heavenly Father’s house.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Messiah, our Savior, Jesus of Nazareth, may the peace that passes understanding, found only in Jesus, guard your hearts and minds.

“For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

By His Grace,
Dr. Gary T. Dromi