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“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? … Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? … Therefore, go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Much like the ominous novel 1984 by George Orwell, truths are being viewed as lies and lies truth. Right is wrong and wrong is right. History is being rewritten, and—most frightening—freedom of speech (even thought) is being squelched (i.e., “cancelled”). Although Christians in our beloved nation have not suffered the level of persecution known around the world for centuries, our values, morals, and beliefs have certainly been subject to suppression more and more over the past 50 years. The intensity and severity, however, has been growing exponentially over the past decade. And, it is common knowledge, that during the past 12 months alone, God’s Church has been relegated to “non-essential.”

Sisters, now more than ever, we must step away from this world to be different. Within the ever-deepening darkness, we must think, act, and speak differently. The god of this world (Satan) knows his time is waning, and he is working overtime to gain more of a foothold while he has the chance.

It is time for us to stand firm. To draw a line in the sand. We must decide, today, not to conform to this world (Romans 12:2). This is not our home, as we are not citizens of earth, but of heaven, from which we eagerly await our Savior, Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). James clearly states that friendship with the world makes us God’s enemy (James 4:4)!

So, what is “friendship” with the world? God’s word talks a lot about this—just read through 1 John, Titus, or 2 Peter, or James. The bottom line? It’s putting anything before the Lord. Selfish desires, fleshly pleasures, wealth obsession, social media idolatry, etc. This is status quo for unbelievers, but as Christians, even after having been transformed into a new creation (2 Cor 5:17), we will also struggle against our natural desires until the time of our perfection. It’s a battle, for sure.

But what’s imperative to note is how the world has crept into the Church, condoning immorality as merely “culturally modern.” So instead of the Church body helping to sanctify believers, it instead waters down—or twists—the Word, deceiving people into thinking their actions are “holy” when they are not. This makes standing firm in our faith even more of a challenge. (This has been going on since the first century, so it’s nothing new.)

There are three things for us to take away from all this: (1) Let’s choose to be different and stand firm on God’s Truth, which can only happen if we know the Truth—the Bible; (2) Let’s be sure that the church we attend is rooted in God’s Truth, teaching pure Scripture and not adding to it or taking from it—and believing that the gathering together of the body is essential, especially in a crisis; (3) Persecution—not just suppression—is coming, so the first two things are non-negotiables.

“Lord, help me stand firm in Your Truth amid the shifting—and pelting—sands of this world.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life