"These are exciting times in which we live," remarked a Christian recently.
These words have been much on my mind, and I have been pondering their implications. Let us briefly consider the "times" in which we are living.
When we as Christians view the world situation—morally and spiritually—we are able to discern in the light of Scripture that we are living in the "last days."
An acquaintance had maintained for years that "we [the world] have some problems, but things are getting better," and cited from time to time some scientific achievements to support his argument. Recently, however, he reassessed his judgment and made this observation: "The situation is becoming worse and worse; where is it all going to end?"
What has changed this thinking man's view of today's conditions that are rapidly "becoming worse and worse"? Well might the people of this world fear as to "where is it all going to end?" The news media witness to the accelerating increase of violence and corruption; the appalling increase in the crime rate is widely publicized; the moral breakdown, brazenly termed the "new morality," has become a way of life; scientific developments have created more problems than can be solved; riots, killings, and disorders are commonplace; wars and rumors of wars abound; suicides have become dreadfully frequent; and the contributing cause of nearly all this has been the turning away from the Bible and the One of whom it speaks, Jesus Christ.
In what way then are these times "exciting" for us? My Christian friend, let us understand and live according to this truth: the return of our Lord Jesus Christ is at the door! We are living in the most wonderful and vital hour in the history of mankind. Do we appreciate this glorious truth?-that we are living in the days, possibly moments, just before His return for the Church—that return of which the New Testament so often speaks.
The coming of our Lord, cherished as a living and constant hope, detaches the heart from every object on earth. All our motives and activities should be governed in relation to His coming. Our Lord appeals to our affections, while we watch and wait.
Is not this "exciting"? What joy awaits us!—to see Him face to face and to be in His company for eternity, with all the redeemed.
Are you and I enjoying our salvation so that we live it? Is there that resulting testimony toward the lost-"others who have no hope"?
We need to be reminded afresh in days like the present, that every child of God has a mission to fulfill—a work to do for Christ. We may not be called to be evangelists, pastors, or teachers, but we are called to live Christ-to represent Him- to be channels of communication between His loving heart and this dark, cold, and selfish world.
One who walked with God and knew whereof he spoke, once said, "Let us be looking unto Jesus, our strength and joy. If only we were happy in Him, we would work much better for Him."