Influencers Weekly Devotional- Where is the Hope?

Where is the Hope? by Bryan Craig “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.” Ephesians 4:17 If you are like me, at times, you look at this culture in which we live, and you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet. Things that you once thought were moral truths and accepted standards in our society have all faded out of sight. Relativism is the ruling order of the day as just about anything is acceptable. You look around and nobody seems to be surprised or outraged. You go to the movies and cannot believe what the Motion Picture Association of American deems acceptable for 13 year olds. You turn on Network Television, and your living room can be filled with provocative story lines in the middle of prime time. Laws are being passed with much public support to protect behavior which is contrary to Biblical teaching. I think of an old Steven Curtis Chapman song, “Heaven in the Real World” where the song opens up with disturbing news reports, overlaid with Billy Graham’s voice saying, “Where is the Hope? Where is the Hope?” I was reading Ephesians 5:17-32 the other day, and it seems the world was not too different in Paul’s day. Read the opening paragraph: “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.” In this case, I believe the “Gentiles” are those who are not followers of Christ. They are not God’s people. When we see how these people live, it stands in stark contrast to what we know is right. When the writer of Hebrews talks about all the great people of Faith in Hebrews 11, he says in v. 13, 16 “They admitted they were aliens and strangers on earth….They were longing for a better country- a heavenly one.” Yes, we believers know we were made for something greater than this earth. Our hearts long for the things of God….purity, peace, wholesomeness, morality, goodness, love, and it seems we can’t find these things on this earth. However, God did not call us to leave this Earth or even to isolate ourselves. He called us to be a Light. As I continued reading the Ephesians 5:17-32 passage, I was convicted. As much as I want to cast a judgmental glance at the world around me, I remember that I am a product of this world. I must examine myself and guard my own heart to make sure I am not living like the world. Paul speaks to me in the following verses: “You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of Him and were taught in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Paul reminds me that I am not far from the old way of life. This is reminiscent of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:3-5: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your own eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Yes, God wants us to work on ourselves before we strike out to work on others. Again, to reiterate what Paul says, God wants us to live in righteousness and holiness. The Ephesians passage goes on to give us a glimpse of what this looks like: “Put off falsehood and speak truthfully.” “In your anger do not sin.” “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with Whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” So, as much as it is true that we live in a dark world, which does seem to be getting darker every day, we must stay close to Christ and His Word so that He can keep us from getting swallowed up by the darkness. He will reveal to us those things in us that need to go…those old habits….the old thought patterns….the deeds of the flesh. As we examine ourselves and yield ourselves to Him in obedience, the Holy Spirit will come alive in us. He will bring forth righteousness and holiness within us. Then, we will shine as a bright light in this dark world. Billy Graham continues in the Steven Curtis Chapman song: “Where is the Hope? Where is the Hope? I meet millions who tell me that they feel demoralized by the decay around us. Where is the Hope? The Hope that each of us have. It is not in who governs us, or what laws are passed or what great things we do as a nation. Our Hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. And that’s where our Hope is in this country, and that’s where our Hope is in this life.” “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16