The World is NOT as it Should Be
I was at the midpoint of a five-mile run when I noticed the creative work of a graffiti artist. I paused to examine the phrase spray painted against the concrete canal:
“The world is NOT as it should be.”
I have no idea who composed those words. I know nothing of their worldview or beliefs about God and the future. But one thing I do know about their chosen phrase – they are right.
Regardless of whether a person believes in the God of the Bible, I surmise the overwhelming majority of the 7.9 billion of us would agree with that statement: the world is not as it should be. We collectively diagnose that something is drastically wrong with our world.
Lamentably, the consensus stops there. Beyond agreeing that our world is not as it should be, we disagree about pretty much everything else.
Why is the world not as it should be?
What should we do about it?
Who should be held accountable?
And the list continues.
God understands the world we live in. Thankfully, He provides His Word to help us navigate it. His Word counsels us on how to successfully live in a disorganized, turbulent, and seemingly lawless world that is becoming a little darker with each passing day.
God’s Word describes and defines reality for us. His Word, not the so-called experts and authorities, define mankind’s situation. It’s His Word that should shape our way of looking at the world – nothing and no one else.
When we keep His Word in our hearts and on our lips, we are more able to live in a world that is “not as it should be.” When His Word chaperones our thoughts and actions, we can actually flourish in any and all circumstances. As we seek to successfully maneuver each day, here are three principles to commit to memory from the Book of Mark:
Principle #1: Lose Your Life
Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? What can a man give in exchange for his life? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:34-38).
Jesus uses firm vocabulary. His statements are sincere and sobering. His words are counter-cultural, for that day and today.
The world, being under the sway of the Evil One (1 John 5:19), broadcasts false messages on a routine basis. Following Jesus’ command necessitates that we walk in humility, faith, and obedience. He commands us to “lose” ourselves. In a world filled with self-promotion, self-righteousness, and selfies, the temptation to make a name for ourselves is enticing.
What does it look like to lose a little more of your life today?
Principle #2: Be Alert
Now concerning that day or hour no one knows – neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—except the Father. Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming. It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his slaves, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore, be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. Otherwise, he might come suddenly and find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert! – (Mark 13:32-37).
It’s been just shy of 2,000 years since the Messiah ascended into Heaven. He promised to return for believers; to rescue us from the coming wrath and to judge those who refuse to acknowledge His identity as God’s Son (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
In the above passage, we are commanded to “be alert.” To be alert means we are ready and looking for His soon return. We are not getting drunk or forgetting His promise as the world does. We remember He could return at any moment. We look forward to His return, with joyful expectation. When we keep His soon return in mind, we are more hopeful and joyful. We are better able to deal with the problems and temptations of this world.
What does it look like to be alert concerning the Lord’s return?
If He returns or you take your final gasp right now, are you confident He would deliver you from the coming wrath?
Principle #3: Go Into All the World
Then He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).
Each of us needs to be sharing the Good News with others. Jesus was not offering a suggestion. He was not giving a Yelp recommendation. Jesus was commanding His followers to announce the Good News to all creation.
Are we following the command to proclaim the Good News to all?
We can all agree with the anonymous graffiti artist who stated, “The world is NOT as it should be.” But unlike the world, we who have a personal relationship with the living God have the only right answer on this side of Heaven: the Good News. Together, let’s proclaim this lifesaving message with chutzpah, love, and sensitivity to all who will listen.
These are the instructions we have been given. May God bless you, dear co-laborer, as we shine as lights in this ever-darkening world.
Written by Levi, LIFE Executive Director
1) Lose your life. Be alert. Share the gospel throughout the world.
2) On which of these would the Holy Spirit have you focus today?
• Dying to selfish desires and the approval of others
• Paying attention to the lateness of the hour, the nearness of our Lord’s return
• Seeking the Spirit’s prompting to share the message of salvation with someone you encounter
3) Need help knowing how to share your faith with your Jewish friends? Email us at office@lifeinmessiah.org and request a free copy of Reaching Jewish People for Messiah.