THE BRIDE HAS LOST DISCERNMENT

This global pandemic, Covid-19, has resulted in a worldwide economic setback and to make matters worse it has created social unrest and turmoil. Violence continues to lead the events in the media. Tragic shootings, more anger, people protest for any kind of reason, more looting and certainly more confusion. It is out of control.

In the working world this pandemic has accelerated the pace and nature of changes experienced. Not only in South Africa but the rest of the world, the social and economic impact of Covid-19 is severe. This virus has left no aspect of human existence untouched, from health, security, social systems, economies, livelihoods to spiritual warfare. It is no wonder, then, that so many people are discouraged and depressed. We agonize over these matters and express outrage and concern, and we wonder what is happening and what it all means. It's enough to discourage and frustrate anybody! But what can we do? How can we cope? Where can we look for hope and help? We need the answers, and you can find them in the pages of your Bible! One might ask, 'What does the gospel have to do with today's headlines'?

Let me tell you that the gospel has everything to do with justice, fairness, and equity. It has everything to do with freedom among people to live, worship, and live safely. But not only there are a problem or two today with people’s understanding of the gospel, there is also the problem with the church itself.

Matthew 22:37 (NIV) Jesus replied:"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'"

This is the foundation of our walk with God.

If we can get this right, everything else will fall into place in time, as we "work out our salvation with fear and trembling". Jesus says that if we truly love God and our neighbour, we will naturally keep the commandments. This is looking at God's law positively. Rather than worrying about all we should not do, we should concentrate on all we can do to show our love for God and others.

Two days ago, I spent some time cleaning the pool. While doing this, I spent some time talking to and listening to God. I was sharing not only the present state of world affairs but also my concern for the state of the bride of Christ. She is, to put it bluntly, a mess.

This has been slowly happening over the last 50 years, as self-absorption and so many false teachings have crept in and taken hold.

At one point, I felt sad at the realisation of the situation. The compassion of God’s spirit took over.

Church, this is a serious matter.

The bride has lost her discernment for spiritual things. She is falling prey to so many of the wiles of the enemy that it is almost inconceivable.

It's tough to say this, and even tougher for people to admit to it, but we are not loving God with all of our heart, soul and mind if our discernment has become so dull.

This is the very thing that Jesus scolded the people for in this verse:

Luke 12:56 (NIV): Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?"

Like a rainstorm or a sunny day, there were signs that the kingdom would soon arrive. The same applies today. Jesus' hearers, thought skilled at interpreting weather signs, are intentionally ignoring the signs of the times.

It's important that we understand what Jesus died for. It was to set us free from sin and death. And to give us the privilege of a one-on-one relationship with the Father... the Creator of all we see.

But it's up to us to take advantage of that opportunity, that privilege.

This is not a message to scold. This is a message to say "God has given us such an opportunity, that we should not miss out on that opportunity nor take it lightly".

The cares of the world are very powerful. They can take up every waking hour of our thoughts and our efforts, unless we make a conscious effort to prevent that from happening.

So, let's start working to make our walk with God our very first priority, every single day.

Let's let Him teach us, shape us and mold us, so we don't run the risk of being the hypocrites that Jesus spoke about in the verse above, lacking the discernment to see and understand the signs of the times.