Since I last had the privilege of writing to you, the world has continued in its spiral toward its own Armageddon.  The recent terrorist bombings, or should I say, failed bombings in Scotland and in London have captured the world's attention.  And the fact that it was a group of physicians who led this attack has frightened many.  In the past most suicide attacks were made by those young men and women who seemed to be disenfranchised by the rest of the world.  According to their religion, their sure and certain guarantee for happiness and bliss was to die as a martyr in the holy war.  But, these leaders were physicians, men with an education and a career that set them apart from others.  I read one columnist who said that many would probably shy away from medical personnel who bore Middle Eastern names for fear that their lives would be in jeopardy. 

Now, the attack in London did not come as any surprise.  Britain was in a state of vulnerability with Prime Minister Tony Blair retiring.  The newly appointed Prime Minister Gordon Brown had no experience.  It was a perfect time to strike.  (I would not be surprised to something similar happen in our nation after the elections next year).  And so the war for the ideological control of the world continues.  We have seen similar wars in the past.  In the 1940s, the world united in a war to stop both Germany and Japan who sought to control the world with their extemist ideologies.  And, although the war was a long one with terrific casualties both military and civilian, those extremist ideologies were defeated.  Many thought the days of warfare against radical ideologies were over.  But, as we know, a new ideology - Communism - grew rapidly following World War II and enveloped much of the world.  Again, it was an ideology that was anti-human rights, anti-God, and anti-freedoms.  The world began to counter this extremist ideology with what is known as the Cold War.  This war would continue until the late 1980s and early 1990s.  In looking back at those closing days of the Cold War, two features stand out: one - determined leadership, primarily in the persons of Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, and Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of Great Britain; and two - the arousal of the Church to prayer, confession, and involvement.  And so, the Berlin Wall, symbol of this extremist ideology, came down...Eastern European countries were freed from their oppressors...and the Cold War ended. 

Now we are engaged in another great ideological warfare.  As I write these words, I ask myself two questions: one - who are the determined leaders of the free world today?  and two - where is the Church?  The world is looking for leaders who have nerves of steel.  Men and women who have a resolute determination.  Leaders who will not succumb to the tyranny of the urgent.  We need men and women in the character of a Winston Churchill or a Harry Truman or a Ronald Reagan or a Margaret Thatcher.  These were not perfect people by any stretch of the imagination, but they had fortitude and staying power.  And, where is the Church?  That is, perhaps, the most interesting of questions.  The Church seems bent on a pursuit of acceptance by the world.  The Church has quietly adopted the standards of the world.  I had lunch yesterday with a dear friend who is part of a denomination that is strengthening its ties with the homosexual community and pursuing other activities that are counter-Scripture.  He and I discussed how, even within the evangelical community of churches, many pastors will "cut and paste" texts to prove a point, rather than proclaiming the whole counsel of God.  I am constantly being drawn back to the admonition found in Jude 3 - our need to earnestly (that means with great effort and determination) contend (that means to fight diligently and without wavering) for the faith (that is our belief system) that was given to us by the saints. 

Friends, it is time that Christians around the world begin to take a firm stand for the truths of the Scripture.  That means that we, must first of all, know what the Bible has to say.  So, get into the Word.  Begin a Bible study with friends...not just a fill-in-the-blank type of study, but one that will stimulate and challenge you.  Let God's Word begin to speak to your heart.  Then, find a local church where the complete counsel from God's Word is taught unashamedly.  Make an appointment with the pastor....get to know his heart...get to know what he believes.  And then, go and make a difference in your market place for Jesus.  God is greater than any ideological philosophy that we can face.  And we have seen victories in the past.  Yes, they have come with a cost...a great cost.  But, they have come nonetheless.  So, let's keep on persevering.  The hour of triumph is getting nearer.

Thanks for listening.  May God challenge your hearts.  Be Berean today! 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Patience comes from two Greek words, meaning "stay under," not always bobbing up.  (Robert A. Cook)

 

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