You are certainly entitled to having your own opinions and personal ‘points of view’ on just about any given subject matter, topic...or even ‘current events’ of the day.

And...according to the 1st Amendment as provided in our U.S. Constitution- you are free to voice and share... those opinions and thoughts; but that doesn’t necessarily mean that God always wants you... to voice those opinions and thoughts. Hello?

[long dramatic pause here]

I know how easy it is for professing believers to ‘slip, stumble, and sin’ on an regular basis over the course of time, yet are also quick to follow up with this form of ‘self-assurance’ by adding: “But I’m still ‘saved’, though!” And I will continue to beat that 'drum of a message' suggesting we ought to be more preoccupied with the question of ‘are we abiding in Jesus’...more so than whether one is ‘saved’ or not. Care to guess which scripture reference always comes to mind when helping identify whether I am abiding in Jesus or not...is? No, it’s not 1 John 3:6 (that one is probably in 2nd place). It’s actually 1 John 2:6 that reads: “He who says he abides in Him (Jesus)...ought himself also...to walk just as He walked.”

You might want to jot down these four verses next to that particular passage in 1 John 2:6, because in all four of these verses, Jesus is pretty much stating that He “only does what the Father tells Him to do or say’ (John 5:19; 8:28; 12:49; 14:31).

John was not known for mincing his words, either. Look what he writes just before that, - “Whoever says, ‘I know Him’, and does not keep His commandments...is a liar!” (1 John 2:4)

We are reminded that when Jesus was here walking among us on the earth some 2000 years ago, that He, Himself (God in the flesh) was ‘tempted as we are in all areas...yet was without sin’ (Heb. 4:15). Were you aware of that? You might want to take a moment and consider what falls under ‘all areas’.

Jesus, as a man, most likely saw a lot of things going on in the world at that time, and probably had a few thoughts and opinions Himself on what He observed. No doubt there was much injustice, wickedness, political corruption and abuse of power, deceit, ... you name it... that existed back then, as does today. And there was, I suspect...no shortage of ‘good causes’ that He could have been drawn into and helped support and bring about positive change; you know...maybe lead a 'peace march' or call for boycotts? 

But He didn’t.

Jesus only did...and said...what the Father instructed Him to say and do. He was on a mission, and no doubt...had He let His guard down...He probably could have been drawn in to any number of good movements...where on the surface...might have seemed like ‘righteous acts for justice’ to get involved with.

But He didn’t.

We read in Luke’s gospel that ‘when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem’ (9:51)...in order to fulfill God’s purpose for Him, which we all know pointed to the cross. Isaiah penned centuries earlier that this coming King would ‘set His face like a flint’ (50:7), which means: to have unwavering, steely determination and resolve to face hardship and opposition without being swayed”.

Those who are followers of Jesus and are abiding in Him...are admonished to “set our minds on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). This was pretty much the theme of my message yesterday, and if you picked up on it, there is a subtle warning to any and all who ‘have ears to hear’...that we better be careful about getting drawn in to all the drama and back-and-forth bantering that is playing out before our eyes these days. The danger that I see... is allowing ourselves to get pulled in to endless and winless debates and arguments over matters... which thanks to modern technology...we all are witness to these days. Clearly, there is no shortage of ‘armchair quarterbacks’ among us.

The most current ‘hot-topic’ this week involves the killing of a woman in Minneapolis. What amazes me more than anything, as an ‘observer’, is watching this play out on ‘social media’ where everyone has some strong thoughts and very passionate viewpoints over what transpired, what should have happened (or not) and why; and there is multiple ‘video perspectives’ along with commentary which is hurled back and forth to support  the opposing views. (Does anyone remember when the stakes were much lower and it was a white and gold dress everyone was debating...or was it a black and blue dress they saw?)

Take a moment and read what Jesus had to say in Luke’s gospel, where He forewarned how “there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. Many will fall by the sword and be taken captive’...and how “men’s hearts would fail them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth...for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” Then Jesus warns us to “take heed lest your hearts be weighed down” with, among other things...”the worries and cares of this life” (Luke 21:23-24,26,34). You’ll also note in that last verse how He speaks how the ‘Day will come on you unexpectedly, for it will come as a snare/trap on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth”. Again, I refer you back to my message yesterday, and the very clear and present danger of being ‘swept away in the flood’ that comes from the ‘serpent’s mouth’ (Rev. 12:15).

Oh, that statement in Luke 21:26, where Jesus mentions something about the ‘powers of the heavens will be shaken’...I would submit to you for consideration that He is referring to the unleashing of the ‘powers of darkness’ coming in ‘like a flood’...to carry people away. (Isa. 59:19; Matt. 24:37-39)

One last point to chew on here. Let’s not forget where Jesus said: “Don’t think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword...to divide” (Matt. 10:34-36; Luke 12:51).

Can I just tell you now that the ‘division’ that Jesus spoke of ‘bringing’ was not going to be centered around political or cultural differences, economic policies, or any other opinion you may have on ‘controversial current events’ which this world tends to become embroiled over in increasing measures these days? And have you noticed there never seems to be a shortage of them to get people worked up, given the 24/7 endless supply of them which we have at our disposal.

Everyone wanted Jesus to deal with their ‘oppressive enemy’ of that day (The Roman Empire). And He did (Col. 2:15; Acts 10:38)...they just failed to see who the real ‘enemy’ was, and it wasn’t the Roman Empire (Eph. 6:12). In fact, within a few decades after He returned to heaven...care to guess who overran and trampled the city of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.? (Matt. 23:37)

Guard your hearts, brethren...and set your minds on those things which God is involved with and most concerned about these days. Are you ‘In the Ark’? 

"Therefore at such a time the prudent person keeps quiet, because it is an evil time." (Amos 5:13)