According to “The Black Book of Communism” this ideology is responsible for the murder of more than 100,000,000 human beings under the regime of Marxism. The conclusion is self-evident: “revolutions never succeed, oppressions never end, and it’s promised future never arrives. Marxism is the deadliest and most destructive ideology in all human history.”
It doesn't take much to realize that there is demonic influence in this ideology, evidenced in Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot. That is also true for the likes of Hitler and the revived antisemitism in America today. (Ephesians 6:12)
We tend to think of the barbarism of ancient Rome, especially against Christians. But the Caesars, including Nero and Diocletian, have not outdone the slaughter of the innocent seen through the power of a recent ideology that denies God His place and elevates man to His place. What could possibly go wrong? Everything!
When man seeks to be higher than he should, he often ends up lower than he could imagine.
It goes without saying that we are living in a world that is hostile to Christians. (Ephesians 6:12) It should come as no surprise since Jesus told His Church that this is to be expected. (John 15:18-20; 1 John 3:13.)
The natural response is fight or flight, to fear and faint. But we are supernatural beings regenerated by the Spirit (Titus 3:5), indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8), and so we are to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), walk and live by the Spirit (Galatians 6:16,25), and be led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:18), as we live in the midst of this present world.
So then, as Paul exhorts us in Ephesians 5:15-17:
“Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
The will of the Lord is that we love.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2
Biblical Love, according to Pastor John Mitchell, is “sincerely wishing God’s very best for someone else and doing what you can to see it come about.”
I certainly do not have to like my enemy, but I can love him. In fact, I am commanded to love.
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. Romans 13:10-11
The hour of our final deliverance is closer than we think! In preparing His church to fulfill the great commission, Jesus reminds us:
“In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)
…greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. (I John 4:4)
These twin truths provide us with a correct understanding of ultimate reality. We would be foolish to disregard them.
And remember, they can only kill you once, and then you are with Jesus.
Game On!
Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred |