II Timothy 3:10-17

For many years, theologians, philosophers and pastors like myself have been watching with alarm our nation’s slide into “post-truth” moral relativism and the rejection of biblical morality. This is nothing new to human history. Twenty-seven centuries ago, the Lord warned his people:

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:20–21).

I. As a child of God you are in conflict with the enemies of God.

II Corinthians 4:4; II Timothy 2:26

Someone said, “Conversion has made our hearts a battlefield.”

Anyone who chooses to be on the side of the Lord Jesus Christ will face severe opposition from Satan and his followers.

It’s interesting that the Bible often uses metaphors of battle, conflict, struggle, to describe the Christian life.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Good news! We will be victorious in the end! Communism isn’t going to win. Socialism isn’t going to win. Islam is not going to win. Secularism is not going to win. The Gospel is going to win and the Kingdom of God is going to prevail!

Paul said regarding his ministry in Ephesus, “A wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). When we face similar opposition, we must “be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (v. 13) but remember: “Let all that you do be done in love” (v. 14).

I am talking about taking a loving posture in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation preaching the truth in love. I am talking about living by conviction with a bold and articulate faith always motivated by love.

III. Serve as a missionary where you live, as you are (the Church is a sleeping giant in our culture).

Scripture warns: “The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all nations who ignore God” (Psalm 9:17 NLT).

“To forget God is to seal our own doom as a nation. America needs you to stand courageously before evil. The sin of silence is all about us. Our generation needs to remember that silence is often golden, but at times it may also be yellow. To stand neutral is to stand for nothing.”

What can we do to engage the fight?

Register and vote!

Pray!

America is going the wrong way. We need to change our course. We need to turn back to God again. We need to make a 180. We need to pray for the USA. Specifically, we need to pray for a spiritual revival and great awakening.

Preach the gospel!

Rely on the Holy Spirit!

“The regeneration of the individual is much more needed than the revolution of society. If Christianity is important at all, it is all-important. If it is anything at all, it is everything. It is either the most vital thing in your life, or it isn’t worth bothering with.”

This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’