There are great uncertainties as this new year begins. America, and the rest of the world for that matter, are in the midst of a culture war where health is used as a weapon of fear to control populations. This is an indicator of just how quickly events can turn and freedom can be fleeting. God chooses to work through his people. The time ahead for our generation, may require us to make extraordinary and difficult decisions to be in alignment with God. In my evening prayer time, many questions came to mind. They were general in nature, some directed at me. Others for everyone. They are questions for the New Year. There is no need to email me your answers to them. They are for personal reflection. Here we go:
Is your salvation secure? Do you have a relationship with Christ, your savior? Are you born again? Do you seek the truth? Are you guided by the Holy Spirit in truth, wisdom and discernment? Are you fearful? How do you discern truth? Do you spend time studying God’s word? Do you take what church leaders tell you as fact or truth, or do you look it up for yourself? Do you have a clear understanding of the context of the Bible in comparison to religious or traditional teachings? Do you believe what you want to believe or do you discern the facts in search for the truth? Does politics influence your relationship with God? Do you demonstrate your faith by your deeds or do you do your deeds because they make you a good person? Are you willing to speak boldly to make known the gospel? Who do you follow, God or man?
Do you have a clear understanding of how the Lord chooses to work through men here on earth? At what point would you lay your life down as a martyr? What is religious freedom worth to you? How far will you go to preserve your religious freedom? To you, does freedom of speech and religious freedom go hand in hand? What is your tipping point in Ephesians 6:13 of “having done all, to stand”? What does it look like to you to stand in the evil day? Do you hear God calling you to make up a hedge and stand in the gap? What is your call to action? Do you believe that prayer is your action? Do you believe you must both pray and act? What is your view of right and wrong? Does politics impact your view of right or wrong? What is true justice? Is government or newscasts or God the center of your life?
As we chart our personal course of life for 2022, it may be of benefit to reflect on our answers to these questions. They may be key to understanding who we are, our value to the Lord, and our response to the many distractions and evils that we may face in the days, weeks, and months ahead. As 2 Timothy 3:1 says “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” And verses 13 and 14, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them.” In other words, when the questions arise, and they will, know who you are in the Lord, and know His Word, for it will make you wise unto your salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
