Unprecedented Times

           One of the television channels in my area has included a phrase that I have heard every day. It is also repeated several times a day and I am relatively sure that you have heard it in your area. The phrase goes, “We are living in unprecedented times.” The word, “unprecedented” is defined as “never done or heard of before.” In our current setting, the world seems to be referring to the disease that is spreading around the world and while that seems to be unique, from what I understand, the Spanish Flu of the early 1900's was just as severe. The world has incorporated the phrase into their daily conversation and in reality, they are not so far off but not for the reason that they think. Second Timothy 3:1 says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 

            Yes, we are living in unprecedented times and the next four verses of today's verse point out just why that is. Morals and ethics seem to no longer exist in our society. Our culture seems to be bent on doing whatever to whomever they want at any given time. The unheard of becomes common place as men and women partake in whatever they so desire with no holds barred. Every sin in the Bible seems to be portrayed in our society and those are those are the ones that have been exposed on national news. Imagine just what has not been reported. The phrase then is correct in that we are living in unprecedented times but not due to a virus, but due to the rampant sin in our society. What, then needs to be the answer to such a dilemma? The answer is not an unprecedented answer, but the same answer that has always existed and that is conformity to God's Word. “Trust and Obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey.” How often have we sung those words in our churches and even as we go through our daily routines yet, the church, for the most part, has ignored the teaching of the simple hymn. Many churches have become stages for entertainment rather than the teaching and preaching of God's Word. The people long to “feel good” after attending a church service and don't want to hear about the consequences of their sins. Both phrases are right. The one for “unprecedented times” and “In the last days, “perilous times shall come.” We are in those days for both of the phrases and the only solution is going to be our individual conformity to God's Word. That means you and me. We start simply and keep on keeping on day by day, hour by hour. Our focus becomes God centered in all that we do. Our speech becomes Biblical as we converse with others. Our goal is to promote the Lord Jesus Christ by example and by word. Our anger becomes bridled by the love of God and our goal becomes to Trust and Obey. In the end, we will be wrestling for the souls of men and women, boys and girls who have no hope in their lives because of the unprecedented times in which we live. Rather, there is hope today in Christ for all who will believe in Him. Praise God today for the Author of Hope and Peace and Love, God Himself.