Here’s the sum of Paul’s current exhortation: Since Jesus Christ is LORD, and you have been born as unblemished children of God through the Gospel, fearfully consider the offense of sin against God, and in all the activity of faith, do nothing in grumbling or disputing, and even if you were to die as a martyr, be glad and rejoice in gladness with partners in the gospel, for you exist as lights, holding out the word of life, in a corrupt and perverse generation.
On Friday, I read an article written by Washington Post columnist Robert J. Samuelson titled, “Americans Are Historically Unhappy.” He begins, “Given the circumstances, it would be astounding if Americans were not in a sour mood over the July 4th weekend. Public opinion polls show that on a long list of subjects Americans are angry, pessimistic, disillusioned, and fed up. They fear for themselves, their children, the economy, the United States’ role in the world and for their own happiness. We know this because Karlyn Bowman, the public opinion guru at the American Enterprise Institute, has done us the favor of collecting a long list of statistics that describes the national mood.” He concludes the article by stating, “If people weren’t pessimistic, you’d have to question their sanity.”
Most of the comments confirmed the authors thesis, as they usually responded in anger, pessimism, disillusion, and exasperation. However, when I read those two paragraphs, I think to myself, “what perfect conditions for Christianity to thrive.”
What better time, than when a crooked and perverse generation so clearly reflects their blemish, to shine as lights, doing all things without grumbling and disputing, exhibiting gladness and rejoicing, and holding out the word of life, as we hold fast to the word of life?
Remember, this exhortation is not mere wishful thinking, for God works in us, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
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