God does not change (Mal. 3:6). He can be persuaded through the prayers of His righteous people to accomplish His purposes in a different way sometimes (James 5:16), but He does not change.
God does everything for His glory, that He might receive the praise and recognition He deserves for being Who He is and doing what He has done (Isa. 42:8, Col. 1:16).
God created and redeemed us for His glory (Isa. 43:7, 25). Our job is to give Him praise and recognition and to reflect His character so more people will put their faith in His Son, join our efforts to advance His Kingdom, and multiply the amount of praise and recognition He receives (1 Cor. 10:31, Isa. 43:21).
We reflect God’s character by obeying His commands, as His commands reveal His character. This is love for God (1 John 5:3).
Because God does not change, His commands do not change. That means this world can spin off its axis, and our behavior as His children and representatives to the world—our words, actions, and attitudes—must stay the same in the midst of the chaos.
Now and always…
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).
“…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matt. 5:44-45).
“Let all bitterness, anger, and wrath, shouting, and slander be removed from you, along with all malice” (Eph. 4:31).
“…Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph. 4:29).
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ” (Eph. 4:32).
We can participate in what’s going on around us—we must—but when we choose to ignore these commands in the process, or any others God has handed down according to His Word, the Bible, we fail Him.
We might still feel real allegiance to or even affection for God—although that will fade as we allow sin to create relational static—but we fail to love Him in practice. Instead of turning the spotlight on Him, getting out of the way, and letting Him work miracles, obvious or not, when we do “the right thing” the wrong way, we tell the world that God is no longer relevant, that His wisdom only goes so far, that He is not powerful enough.
We lie.
We dishonor His name. We cause our brothers and sisters to stumble, and we endanger the eternal status of people who don’t know Him yet.
Serious stuff.
I know things are confusing and scary right now. I feel it, too. But for the love of God, brothers and sisters, stay the course!
It’s the only way we all win.
