OVERCOMING THE SPIRIT OF THIS AGE

Matthew 24:10-13; I Timothy 4:1-3; II Timothy 3:1-5

The heavenly vision requires constant renewing. A lot happens here below that could block the pilgrim’s view to his aspired homeland. God is calling our attention to the perilous times in which we live. We in the western world need to be extra cautious because our society is so secular that true Christianity and heavenly living have become strange. We could begin to lower our heavenly focus to be acceptable to our society, or we could become completely secular and abandon the heavenly vision altogether. These are perilous times and we need to be very watchful.

CHARACTERISTICS AND CONFLICT OF THIS AGE

The age we live in is described in the Bible in many vivid ways. It is called ‘evil world’, ‘latter times’, ‘last times’, ‘evil days’, ‘perilous times’, etc (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 4:16; I Timothy 4:1; II Timothy 3:1; I John 2:18). And the inhabitants are described as ‘an evil generation’, ‘an untoward (lawless) generation’, ‘children of disobedience’, ‘a perverse nation’, etc (Matthew 12:34,39; Acts 2:40; Ephesians 2:2; Philippians 2:15). In order words, this age has a different interest, focus and agenda than that of God for His children. This implies conflict for the heavenly pilgrim in many ways. One, there is conflict of loyalty. Who will be lord over us? Whose will do we hold supreme? Two, there is conflict of faith. Shall we continue in the purity of the Bible or change its claims to accommodate the changing views of human minds? And three, there is conflict of lifestyle. Shall we keep on the old-fashioned way or yield to the demands of our modern-day world? Unfortunately, the spirit of this age has affected some believers such that they are no longer heaven-focus. Are you part of them? The true believer must watch to avoid being swept aside by the mentality and spirit of this age. It is a battle we cannot afford to lose.

CHALLENGES FOR CHRISTIANS IN THIS AGE

The last days pose several practical challenges to the believer. The Bible is very clear that the days are evil and it requires the violence of faith to overcome (Matthew 11:12). What are the challenges?

1.     The common temptations of the heavenly pilgrim (I Corinthians 10:12,13).

2.     Personal, peculiar trials that can make the pilgrimage tedious (Job 2:11-13).

3.     Distractions and enticement from a world that craves our attention constantly (Proverbs 1:10).

4.     Increasing iniquity that discourages the mind and makes righteousness seem extra difficult, with the result that the love of the pilgrim begins to wax cold (Matthew 24:12).

5.     The pressure of daily living: what to eat, drink, put on, how to make ends meet, etc (Matthew 6:31).

6.     The legitimate cares of a busy and challenging ministry (II Corinthians 11:27-29).

7.     Family trials or troubles that baffle the mind and undermine the faith (Genesis 25:20-22).

8.     Perilous struggle for survival and quest for personal advancement (James 4:13).

Care is necessary to manage these challenges. The believer needs to make a courageous choice to stand for the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly despite the prevailing pressures.

CHOICE AND COURAGE IN THIS AGE

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” – Matthew 24:13. You can be victorious in this age. Two things are required: choice and courage. Choose your destiny (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 13:14). Where will you spend eternity? Choose your doctrine (I Timothy 4:15,16). Will you believe the totality of God’s word or only what seems convenient? Will you stick to the old-time truth or bend to the popular gospel that makes light of the way of holiness? Choose your companions (Psalm 119:63). You will be like your friends. Will you go with the godly few or the compromising or sinning multitude? Choose your lifestyle (I Peter 2:9). Will you live like a pilgrim or like a tourist? Lastly, choose your ministry (Hebrews 12:28,29). What kind of service will you render to God – a wholehearted, consecrated one or the one that seeks to please men at the expense of God?

Courage is also essential for total victory. Courage exhibits several elements. One, it is to keep on to the truth despite fierce opposition (Hebrews 10:39). Two, it is to keep standing for the truth in the presence of error and perversion (II John 8-11). Three, it is to keep on preaching the word when it seems very unpopular (II Timothy 4:1-5). Four, it is to keep on praising God when your trials multiply (Job 1:20-22). Five, it is to keep on praying till you get the victory (Luke 18:1). Six, it is to keep on resisting temptation till it is overcome (Hebrews 12:4). And seven, it is to keep on faithfully watching and waiting till the Bridegroom comes (Matthew 25:10; Luke 21:34-36). He that shall come will come; He will not tarry.

ENRICHMENT AND GROWTH THROUGH PERSONAL DEVOTION

Psalm 1:1-3; Mark 1:35

Personal devotion is crucial to spiritual. While it is important to attend Church and have fellowship with other brethren steadfastly (Hebrews 10:25), this cannot take the place of personal fellowship with God (Joshua 1:8). Growing in grace and knowledge (II Peter 3:18) demands that you make personal effort to read the Word, meditate on it and pray its contents into your life. This is what you do during your Quiet Time, which is a period set aside to meditate on God’s Word and pray at a time when your mind is fresh. This practice enables you to feed your soul and receive divine strength for the Christian journey (I Kings 19:5-8). Just as babes and adults alike need food for survival and strength, so do young converts and adult believers alike need daily quiet time for survival, growth and fruitfulness.

PURPOSE OF PERSONAL DEVOTION

Personal devotion is a major element in spiritual development. It is the provision God has made for your renewal, growth in grace and daily infilling with the Spirit. The purpose of devotion is threefold. One, it creates time and environment for God to impress His holy Word on your heart (Exodus 34:1; II Corinthians 3:3). The Word of God is the food for the soul (Deuteronomy 8:3). As you receive His Word daily, your ways are cleansed (Psalm 119:9,11), you gather strength for daily spiritual journey (I Kings 19:5-8; Isaiah 40:30,31), and obtain illumination and guidance from the Lord (Proverbs 6:23). Two, it provides opportunity for God to reveal Himself to you in a personal, intimate way (Exodus 33:18; 34:5). This revelation deepens your conviction in the Lord, binds you more firmly to Him, and transforms your spiritual life (I John 1:1-3; John 20:11-16; II Corinthians 3:18). And three, it creates avenue for personal supplication, intercession, and devotional worship (Exodus 34:8,9; Daniel 6:10). At the time of personal devotion, you can bare your heart before the Lord and pour out your soul before Him on important matters. Devotional worship transports your heart to heaven, honours the Lord and brings deliverance down to men.

PILLARS OF PERSONAL DEVOTION

For your personal devotion to be fruitful, three pillars are important. One, you should ponder on the word of God, which is the main raw material for your growth. Two, you should pen down instructions, lessons and prayer points to make your prayer focused and for future reference. And three, you should pray yourself into God’s presence and pray the word of God into your life for growth and stability.

Pondering on the WORD (Genesis 24:63; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:3; Luke 2:19; I Timothy 4:15)

He who ponders or meditates on God’s word will enrich his spiritual life greatly; he will live deeply and talk deeply – like an oracle of God. Meditation is interaction with a subject so that it can change your life positively. Your meditation should be on the word of God, which reveals God – His Person, will, works, creation, wonders, etc. – to us in a new way. Select a few verses of the Bible, read them a few times over and think upon them deeply. Your heart should be calm and you should avoid every distraction. Moreover, you should ask practical questions to benefit from the Word of God.

Penning-down from the WORD (Exodus 34:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:6,8,9; Isaiah 30:8; James 1:22-25)

Write down the lessons you learnt, the commandments, warnings, encouragement, comfort, etc you received. Write down key prayer points. Write down key decisions. This is important for your prayer and also for easy reference. Be not a forgetful hearer!

Praying-in the WORD (Exodus 34:5-9; Numbers 14:17-20; Luke 24:32)

True meditation leads to rich prayer. It makes your heart to burn and gives you matter for scriptural prayer. Through prayer, you draw God’s power to make what you have learnt practicable. It enables you to deal with God in the light of the new revelation you received. The Word of God mixes with faith in your heart. You receive strength to carry God’s instructions out and overcome the downward pull of the flesh. Prayer is the crown upon your Quiet Time.

Personal devotion is a practical, enriching venture. Those who neglect it live defeated lives (Hosea 8:3); but those who choose this good thing will be commended by the Lord and they will grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 10:41,42; II Peter 3:18).