Encouragement in these times of despair in our culture

By Eddie Williams

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

-Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)

As a Christian, one could get very discouraged in light of all of the recent social issues that have hit the news wire. Abortion is the normative as it ever has been, divorce is seemingly at an all time high and things like pride, slander and sexual sin are absolutely rampant. What’s worse is not the fact that these acts are happening, but it is the wide spread tolerance and acceptance of these issues. Abortion’s approval rating is near 50% in the US, divorce has just surpassed the 50% mark itself and adultery and homosexuality is widely become normative; if you want proof, turn on the television. You can see the overwhelming support from ‘people of faith’ for sexual perversion, and the media blackout given to the Gosnell abortion doctor trial. What has happened to the planet one might ask? I find reason to be encouraged even in dark times like these:

1. It was supposed to be this way

Jesus made it clear that the door to eternal life was narrow, and that only few would pass through it. He also made it clear that the gate that is wide would be the easy gate to pass through and it would lead to destruction. You want to know how narrow the gate is? Say something against the grain in culture and see how quickly you are labeled a bigot and intolerant. In fact, the only demographic one can ridicule and still be tolerant is Christianity. Those who believe the ways of Jesus are shunned and oppressed into backing down from their faith, or at least from speaking their faith in public. Jesus himself says, “woe to you when all men speak well of you!” So why are we so surprised by the overwhelming support for what is antithetical to Christianity? After all, we worship a guy who was murdered for who he was. We, as true believers, shouldn’t expect that we will be treated much different. The thoughts of the public about Jesus are the same today as they were in Jesus day, they are simply manifesting differently as the Devil has gotten more crafty, using tolerance and human thought, rather than oppression and murder as he did back then. Let us continue to not be ashamed of the testimony of Jesus and share in the suffering of the Gospel (2 Timothy 1:8). We bought into suffering when deciding to follow Jesus. The battle is real, so let’s equip ourselves and continue to share our message of faith. Many are passing through the wide gate. It’s time to answer the call, become God’s vessel for the truth.

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:13 ESV)