The Light of the World

There is an unexpected tenderness, a sober joy, soft, unshakeable, even as my flesh faints and my bones seem crushed by sorrow. I stand quietly and watch the world burn —set on fire, torched by the prince of darkness.

Christians are assassinated and martyrs continue to perish worldwide, as they have throughout the ages. Men and women steadfast, ramrod straight in their stalwart refusal to renounce their sole passion: Jesus Christ. They are being slaughtered now, a dozen or more each day.¹ Great is their heavenly reward.

Amid such brutality, I bring you good news of hope and truth, a curl of smoke ascending from the ashes.

With eyes kind and tone soft:

God is ruling, always working, and always good, no matter what atrocities unfold. The Bible promises that the days will worsen, growing darker as the return of our Savior grows closer.

As part of the remnant—God’s true children in faith—we dwell under the shadow of the Almighty, even as we break and break and break again.

Our suffering and groaning will not last forever. As wickedness prevails, plod on in faith, and do what is right in God’s eyes, even as this world does what is right in their own eyes.

Let us encourage one another to stay faithful to God by treasuring Jesus, obeying the Bible, repenting of sin, and doing good.

Cling to this: God holds Satan on a short leash, and nothing that happens on planet Earth is random.

Ever.

In the midst of sadness and suffering, it is crucial to remember that God’s will is not capricious, but purposeful.

Waste not a second. Now is the time to make your calling and election sure.

Resist the urge to fool around, scrolling the news all day long, studying conspiracy theories, descending into tunnels of evil. We already know God’s judgment: people love darkness instead of the light.

Crack open your Bible and chase down truth: eternity is coming, and not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.

Dear Bona Fide Christian,

(not doer of good deeds, nor member of a specific political persuasion, nor self-sufficient one, but wretched sinner, saved by God’s mercy and grace)

Remember, according to Jesus Christ, we are the light of the world.

So, when this life erupts, a volatile powder keg of mass evil, may you, may I, burn calmly, brightly, and steadily until the end… lanterns for all the world to see.

And as we grieve, may we be found singing through our afflictions with a flutter of enduring hope beating in our chest, as we dwell upon our beautiful inheritance. Christ died in our stead and will carry us from this present darkness into the arms of God.

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Last evening, I stepped beneath the stars, feeling small and fragile. Gazing heavenward, I was undone by the endless constellations blinking against the obsidian night, brilliantly defying all darkness.

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You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

-Matthew 5:14-16

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1. Open Doors ↩︎