“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.” George Orwell
I can still remember sitting in Dr. Robert Reymond’s theology class at Knox Seminary. We were having a discussion about the church and our country, and the growing conflict between the media and those who believe in Jesus Christ. Dr. Reymond made the bold statement that persecution often begins in the media and then grows more and more hostile as the culture drifts further from the truth of God’s Word.
Dr. Reymond went on to say, “Brothers, I don’t think I’ll have to lay down my life for my Lord during my lifetime. But, as I look at some of you younger guys, there may come a time in this country when you could be persecuted and may have to lay down yours.”
I hope and pray that will never be the case. But as I read the news, watch many of the outlandish talk shows, and hear the hateful rhetoric aimed at Christians and those who desire a moral and just society, I can understand the reasoning of Dr. Reymond and George Orwell.
As Christians, we must have the conviction and courage to speak the truth with grace and love and stand for what is right even when the majority of people in our society are drifting further and further from the truth of God’s Word. To do this, we need to be grounded and guided by God’s Word or we, too, will begin to drift. Listen to the writer of Hebrews:
“For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.” Hebrews 2:1
This verse from Hebrews was written to those who believed in Christ so that they would “pay much closer attention” to the gospel of Jesus Christ and not drift away from the truth written in Hebrews and all of God’s Word.
It is the same today for those who believe in Christ. We “must pay much closer attention” to God’s Word. Sadly, many in the church today are Biblically illiterate and follow the world instead of influencing the world to follow Christ. It is reported that only 10% of evangelical Christians read their Bibles regularly, and since so many Christians are not grounded and guided by God’s Word, they may easily drift away from the truth that is their life-line and anchor.
However, if you are in Christ Jesus, you know the truth. You have been called out of this world into the Kingdom of God and have a solid anchor. Listen to the words of Christ as He prayed to the Father for His disciples and even for those now who believe in Him:
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:16-17
I hope and pray you know and believe the truth of Jesus Christ – the anchor who keeps you from drifting away.
May God bless you with His grace, love and truth!