THE BATTLE FOR TRUTH (part one)
Death is NOT Cool!
The battle for truth is ancient and ongoing – it is not a “new” phenomenon. However, it has, I would argue, intensified greatly in our day, on many different fronts. One such front is all about death.
Death has often been romanticized in the past, especially in the writings of Shakespeare and other classical writers. Many people seem to love tragedy, pain, sorrow, death, and even horror. But personally, I would much rather avoid nightmares than induce them. But maybe that’s just me.
Today, death has become a staple and even a marketing tool in modern society. Death has become cool, and hip! Skeletons, skull and crossbones, zombies –the walking dead. As I said, this world has often been fascinated with the morbid and creepy, but I cannot believe how many Christians also seem to have been captivated by these things.
It doesn’t matter how popular death becomes, it is all based on the lie of the enemy. Death is NOT cool, it is the opposite of cool and good in every way. The only good thing about death is that Jesus has already conquered it. When Christ rose from the grave, He vanquished death forever, and it is no longer to be feared by those who put their faith and trust in Him. But those who reject Christ and cling to death will one day discover how horrible and uncool it truly is.
But for Christians, “Death will be swallowed up in victory. “
I believe this recent death craze comes from the increase of wickedness that the Scripture predicts in the last days. Matthew 24:12 declares:
“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,”(New International Version)
“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”(New Living Translation)
“Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”(New American Standard Bible)
I was watching an old game show from the 50’s and 60’s the other night on youtube – What’s My Line. It was a little like traveling back in time to when people almost seemed innocent compared to the attitudes of many today. You may think that I am only imagining, but just look at what is going on, all around us. As a society we are becoming more and more wicked and evil as we move farther and farther away from our Creator and God.
Death has gained popularity today only because we have stopped believing and focusing on the hope of heaven and eternity. As this world has turned a deaf ear to God and His Word, “they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (Romans 1) and become devoted to that which we should not even give our time and attention to. The God who is the Giver of all the wonders of the universe is the Creator of light (truth), and life, and love. If we will just listen and hear the truth and life coming from His Word, we will soon see the path that leads to hope and love.
The truth of God’s Word can be ignored, but it cannot be defeated or extinguished. The Spirit of truth stands ready even now to lead us back to the One who died and rose again that we might all be freed from the punishment of death and hell. We will all face death one day, but because of what Jesus Christ has accomplished, death CANNOT defeat us, if we put our trust in Him.
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:55-57 – English Standard Version)
A battle speaks of struggle, contention, and “sharp” disagreement. Jesus IS the Prince of Peace, but He is not at peace with sin. He came to earth the first time to destroy sin and the works of the devil. When we see sin in our lives, we must confess it, repent, and be cleansed. When we do, He has promised to forgive us and cleanse us from all evil. (see I John 1)
Sin is the enemy of God, and its days are numbered and will soon be coming to an end. This world is cloaked in darkness, but instead of being mesmerized and worshipping the darkness, we need to see beyond the dark shadows to the light and truth of God’s Word. There is light and truth everywhere if we will just look. The truth is ready to burst forth upon our consciousness. Light is the righteousness and goodness of God. Goodness is the way things ought to be. Righteousness and truth are the standards that this hopeless world has abandoned.
Evil, darkness and death are only temporary . One day our ship will be righted. The One who is “the way, the truth and the life” is coming soon to set up God’s kingdom of everlasting goodness. This is our hope. The book of Hebrews (chapter 6) calls it the “anchor for the soul.” Our souls surely need a hope and an anchor, to lift us out of the despair of this world and thankfully God has provided exactly what we need through His Son.
If you think I sound completely unsympathetic to the problems of this world, I am not. I have the same sin-disease as everyone else. One day death will take my flesh, but it cannot have my spirit. My spirit is eternal and will rise to be with the Lord of glory. O how I long for that day! What about you? Does your soul long for the light, or are you stuck in the dungeons of darkness and death? Are you hoping for the goodness of God? If you will place your hope and faith in the goodness and mercy of God, you can rise to glory one day too. Put your hope and faith in the King of glory, Jesus Christ, TODAY!
DEATH WILL NOT THE VICTOR BE,
FOR JESUS’ BLOOD HAS SET US FREE!
