The Best and the Worst of Times

A revolution of faith is taking place. As this revolution heats up and spills into the streets of religion, it would be wise to confirm that your line of faith is securely set to the anchor of Hope. You will need to confirm this connection in order to endure the winds of change that are beginning to blow.

In the Charles Dickens classic, A Tale of Two Cities, the opening paragraph included the phrase, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Dickens wrote of the events that took place in two cities, London and Paris, during the French Revolution. The Church is entering a similar season of revolution. This revolution will carry with it the possibility of reformation. A revolution will precede a reformation.

The Church is currently experiencing a shift that will set the stage for a revolution of faith. Revolutions can be dangerous. Heads roll and entire systems of faith and culture are radically transformed in the process. Don’t live in fear at what is taking place. Choose to walk in mature wisdom. Paul said when we walk at this level of maturity, “We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth” (Ephesians 4:14).

These are the best and the worst of times. They are the best of times because God is revealing new aspects of His love and nature to His people. They are the worst of times because some people will choose to believe well-crafted lies and assume they are truth. As it has been throughout the history of the Church, the lies will deal with the Person of Jesus Christ and His plan of redemption for humanity.

Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes. He is your only place of security in a time of revolution when well-crafted delusions are being offered to you in the name of God.

Prepare yourself for this revolution by pressing deeper into the Person of Jesus Christ. Intimacy with God will be your best survival preparation. Soak your mind in the Gospels. Find the scarlet thread of Jesus Christ revealed in the first acts of Creation all the way to the last verse in Revelation. When Jesus said He was the way, the truth, and the life, “the way” means more than Him being the only way of salvation. He is the only safe way forward through the spiritual bloodshed that a revolution of faith will produce. 

Your faith is about to be tested. The test is not a test of disqualification. It will be a test of affirmation helping you see that the One in whom you have placed your trust will be faithful no matter what takes place. When Jesus is at the center of your being you are always living in the best of times.