The column for last week was supposed to be about “The Dark Holiday,” yet somehow I missed sending it in. I am so against observing that holiday in any way, because of scriptures like I Thessalonians 5:5,“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” and I John 1:5-7, “...God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light… the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
I don’t mean to offend anyone who likes the fun of dressing up, etc., but please tolerate my pointing out verses urging us to be “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,” and who is “the Light of the world.” Perhaps years ago we might have thought we had many more years before we had to be concerned about Jesus’ Second Coming and standing before His Judgment Seat; however, now we can see that we are facing those events so very soon. Just check out Revelation 13:14-18 for a description of a situation that can really be accomplished by modern-day technology, which includes A.I.
George Barna’s surveys reveal that only 66% of self-professed Christians in America believe everyone has sinned, though the Bible says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Maybe the problem is that we are more American and less Christian. Dr. George Barna, Director of Research Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, states, “Among the fundamental teachings of Christianity are the following beliefs: Sin is real; every person who has ever or will ever live is a sinner; that every Christian is a sinner from conception; the only solution to the eternal consequences of sin is the forgiveness for those sins extended through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ…” (Release Date: September 4, 2025)
Possibly, part of the problem may be that, just as people do not know what the Bible teaches about sin, they do not realize that there are two kingdoms, with two “kings.” Though not equal in sovereignty and strength, God, the Creator, and Satan, the deceiver, are in a battle to capture the souls of the “Image-bearers” of God—mankind. If one does not dive headlong into a study of the Word of God, they can be deceived by the enemy of his/her soul, who only steals, kills, and destroys. The Apostle Paul said we wrestle not against flesh and blood and that he had fought a good fight. Paul obviously knew his enemy and didn’t fraternize with him!
Another awareness we need is that all across the world, in many countries, many thousands of Christians are being murdered and otherwise persecuted for claiming the name of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. In fact, I read today in the Voice of the Martyrs magazine of how even in some communities in America, as well as other nations, women of particular religions who become Christians are persecuted by their own families. Let us lift up the name of Jesus, win souls for His Kingdom, pray for and strive to help those who are suffering for the cause of Christ.
