April 15, 2022, 12:00 AM
If you read the newspaper or listen to the news, you do not hear much which is wonderful about our world. In fact, if you were to listen to the news, you would hear of Russia invading Ukraine, China becoming more aggressive, North Korea restarting their uranium enrichment. Then, you may hear of the divisions in the United States, the violent protests in cities of racial and ethnic discrimination. You would then hear the latest death count from COVID and continuing mandates of addressing how people should live.
It sure doesn’t seem like a wonderful world. However, long before our current age, our Lord Jesus, shared with us in His Word what would be the current news. In Matthew 24 Jesus stated there would-be wars and rumors of wars, nation would rise up against nation, there would be pestilences, and iniquity abounding, causing many to grow cold in loving God. In other words, we would hear of Russia invading the Ukraine, COVID ransacking the world, violent protests taking place.
What are we to do? Jesus gave us the answer in Matthew 24:4 when he said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” The word “heed” used here is the Greek word “blepo” which means “to look at”, meaning behold, beware. We need to be on guard that no one deceives us. How are we to do this? We ensure we are not deceived by staying in the Word of God and knowing the truth (John 8:31-32). While many will have their love of God grow cold due to iniquity (or sin), we can ensure our love grows strong by being on guard with the Word of God, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together and setting up safeguards against sin.
When you enter a property which has a sign “Beware of dog” your senses are alert. You are aware of your surroundings, you are on the lookout, you are focused on the dangers. Since we know Jesus told us to beware of deception, are our senses alert? Are we aware of the times we are in? Are we focused on the Word of God?
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