Scriptural Readings:
Luke 11:24-26, II Timothy 3:1-5
Significant challenges confront our world today. These include social unrest, political turmoil, and the looming threat of global conflict. These issues create hatred, confusion, and anxiety, and again, we have no reason to dispute or reject them.
Luke 11:24-26
King James Version
V.24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.
V.25 And when he cometh, he findeth [it] swept and garnished.
V.26 Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first.
The New Living Translation
V.24 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’
V.25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order.
V.26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”
What’s the point?
Commonly, one focuses more on daily events than on our spiritual life. When was the last time we seriously asked ourselves about our spirituality? Have we recently paused and thought about Jesus’ incredible promise? He will grant us a mansion in heaven. Or an ignorance of what this place called hell is all about? The point is we will land in either of these places for eternity.
It is time to tilt the balance on spirituality. If we do not regret the evils we are dealing with, they will increase in quantity and quality. God is always taking our attention; God’s discipline is on its way. I must reiterate that there’s no misunderstanding here. The point is to repent.
What’s the point?
It is the point. As soon as our faith is opposed and threatened, we must stand on our ground and confront it. Remember that the devil will not die. He is doomed to suffer eternity in the lake of fire. The unsaved will join him there. He and his evil spirits will relentlessly pursue our spiritual death by destroying our faith.
It seems we are taking it lightly. Still, it’s crucial to recognize the profound impact this one word can have on us. We can’t afford to overlook this. Sin is the gate to hell. If one’s idea or view of life in its absolute context aligns with reality, one needs to reconsider. Nightmares simply are experiences. The question of Heaven and Hell’s existence persists. Some view them as fictional constructs. This belief leaves us to grapple with truth versus falsehood circumstances.
II Timoty 3:1-5
King James Version
V.1 This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come.
V.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
V.3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
V.4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
V.5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The New Living Translation
V.1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.
V.2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
V.3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.
V.4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
V.5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
What’s the point?
Which of us are listed here from the verses above? I would say we will land on at least one of them. Another question is, how many of us are there? The absolute meaning of these verses must genuinely move us. If it doesn’t, we will find ourselves in hell. These indications are barometers of the end times but also serve as a meditative area for us to contemplate.
Life is a journey with a clear destination. For the younger generation, taking life to extremes is empowering. It makes them feel like anything is possible. Nonetheless, aging brings challenges.
What’s my point?
It’s all about living by God’s standards. There is nothing wrong with a way of living our lives of holiness. Unless we get our acts righteous in His sight, we are on the border of destruction. There are no exceptions. All of us should be on the path of holiness. If the signs of the end times are a joke, it’s not funny. The Father promised us salvation by sending His Son. Yet, here we are, living our lives as if there were no heaven or inferno.
As Christians, if we are not rational about the disturbances happening around the globe, there is something wrong with us. If all the evils we see today are not obvious, then there is a problem. We are playing with the devil. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with us is against us.”