This post originally appeared at https://www.vcy.org/from-the-executive-director/2024/05/13/from-the-director-11/
By Jim Schneider, Executive Director
VCY America
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:11-14)
Many Christians begin and end each day with no sense of urgency, no cognizance of what is going on in the world, no recognition that the days are intensely growing evil, no compelling responsibility to live uprightly, and no sense of spiritual purpose. Indeed, in light of the Lord’s coming return, we must wake up to the present reality of our times and recognize the dutiful stewardship required of all believers!
We are a nation that is quickly unravelling at the seams.
Economically our nation is rapidly advancing toward $34 trillion in debt (that is in addition to all the other funds raided.) The so-called Inflation Reduction Act was nothing more than a scam to increase spending and advance the scare of so-called “global climate change.” We are quickly moving to a cashless society and a central bank digital currency where all transactions can be tracked. And if your social media posts are not liked or your activism strikes against progressive policies, you face the risk of being “debanked.”
The energy policies being pursued by our nation’s leadership strike at the heart of ever being energy independent again. Costly initiatives, which are more harmful to the environment than our status quo, will lead us to financial insolvency. We are modeling those who “worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator…” (Romans 1:25)
Politically our nation is becoming increasingly divided. Political rhetoric is out of control and meaningful dialogue is non-existent. Sadly, the majority of compromised decisions are advancing a very liberal/progressive agenda with little pushback. We are quickly advancing toward globalism. The WHO Pandemic Treaty, which is soon to be voted on, is being warmly embraced and pushed by our present Administration. National sovereignty will be erased by this treaty and another significant bite will be taken out of our Constitutional Republic. On the home front, the main political agenda of many candidates for office is laser focused on advancing the killing of pre-born children and proclaiming it a “right” to which none should interfere.
Morally, in addition to targeting pre-born life, we are spending great sums of money and devoting much training to “professionals” on how to confuse children concerning their gender. Science has been thrown out the window to accommodate mental manipulation and the brainwashing of the next generation. The LGBTQ+ agenda has literally infiltrated and taken over our nation’s calendar from a “Pride Day” to “Pride Month” and now “Transgender Visibility Day”, “Bisexual Awareness Month,” “International Drag Day,” and even a “Gay Uncles Day.” Corporate America has swallowed the poison which implements this agenda through their DEI policies and institutes “training” (indoctrinating) of their employees. The rapid descent into the immoral abyss has no bottom.
Spiritually many churches do not want to be branded as “extremists” so they are instead compromising. Societal integration becomes more important than doctrinal integrity. Recently announced, the ELCA is beta-testing a new 24-session “Queer Confirmation” Course guiding LGBTQIA+ teens. Promoters are saying, “It will provide space to explore and know God’s affirming love and promote teens’ sense of belonging within the Christian faith and Christian communities.” Preaching the Word in many churches is a thing of the past with the exception of, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
While the surface has only been scratched as to the nature of our present state, it is imperative for Christians to break from their slumber and wake up! Certainly, we are growing closer to the time of the Lord’s return! This is evidenced by the heightened deception and the rapid advancement of evil originating from the prince of darkness.
It is critical for believers in Christ to “cast off the works of darkness.” Rather than be drunk and indulge in the allurements of our world, believers are called to live a life of separation from the very deeds of the flesh. Scripture plainly reveals the lures of the world include “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” (I John 2:15-17)
Further, believers are called to be “light” which is a remarkable contrast to the “darkness” expelled by the god of this world and this world’s system. Believers in Jesus Christ have an imperative to advance the Gospel. We must proclaim the Word of God to all who need to hear the all-important call to repent and turn to Jesus Christ. The advancing of the Gospel is accomplished by our words and a life that bears testimony of these words.
Indeed, time is short! Idleness and apathy must be set aside. The stakes are too high to be ignored.
In conclusion, consider these additional admonitions from Scripture:
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” (I Thessalonians 5:6)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Peter 5:8)
Yes, it is high time for believers to wake out of sleep. It is critical to our mission to be alert, to be active, and to advance Biblical truth for such a time as this!