“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” [1]
One contemporary translation of the text chosen for this day reads as follows: “The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Messiah. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I may hear all about you—that you are standing firm in one spirit, struggling with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and that you are not intimidated by your opponents in any way. This is evidence that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved—and all because of God. For you have been given the privilege for the Messiah’s sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. You have the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I am still having” [PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30 ISV].
This translation captures the essence of life as a Christian, though we hold dual citizenship. None of us hold a passport from our eternal home, but we live here as in the knowledge that this present residence is not permanent. I was born in the United States of America, and I am a citizen of that great nation. I confess my love for my natal land. I’m truly a patriot who prays God’s grace on the nation in which I grew to manhood.
Many years ago, I chose to become a citizen of Canada, permitting me to fully participate in the life of this nation. And I love this great land and the opportunities I have received as a citizen of Canada. I pray for God’s mercy to be showered on Canada.
However, more than fifty years ago, I became a citizen of an unseen land. I was born an American and I elected to become a Canadian citizen; however, I was born again into the Family of God and I became a citizen of Heaven by that new birth. I’ve never been to Heaven, but I long to go there. Until my Master calls me home, calls me join Him in that land, I am charged to serve as an ambassador where I now reside.
I'm kind of homesick for a country
To which I've never been before.
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken
For time won't matter anymore.
Beulah Land I'm longing for you
And some day on thee I'll stand
There my home shall be eternal
Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land
I'm looking now, just across the river
To where my faith, shall end in sight
There's just a few more days to labor.
Then I will take my heavenly flight.
Beulah Land I'm longing for you
And some day on thee I'll stand
There my home shall be eternal
Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land
Beulah Land, oh it's Beulah Land
Oh Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land [2]
I confess that I’m homesick. I grow weary in the struggle, and I acknowledge that my strength is small. However, the Apostle has spoken for me, and I am convinced that he spoke for all who follow the Master when he wrote, “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again” [PHILIPPIANS 1:20-26]. As was true for the Apostle, I am increasingly torn between my desire to go to the home which my Master has prepared and my desire to stay here to complete my course.
The text which follows this confession speaks of the necessity for unity, of the need for firmness, and of the expectation for full participation in the advance of the Good News of Christ Jesus. Paul is addressing the Philippian congregation, but it should be evident that that congregation, as is true for each assembly of the Saviour, is composed of individuals. As Paul notes, “As in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” [ROMANS 12:4-5].
We are saved as individuals, one-by-one; but having been saved by the grace of the Lord, we are united into one body by His Spirit. Therefore, it is apparent that though the Apostle is addressing the assembly, each member must take to heart the responsibility of accepting the challenge for herself or for himself.
Unity is essential in the Christian life. However, what we call unity is too often nothing more than an attitude of unconcern, a state of studied ignorance. Simply because we agree not to fight does not mean that we are in unity. Christian unity must be grounded in truth. Truth is another way of speaking of doctrine. Doctrine is the basis for all Christian unity, and doctrine is therefore more vital still than any false comity. Doctrine should not be a term to frighten anyone—it simply speaks of truth. In a world which honours “fuzzy thinking,” such dogmatic positions are not readily welcomed. However, if we will please God we are compelled to choose truth and eschew error.
CHRISTIANS WILL FACE UNCERTAINTY IN THE NEW YEAR. The opening words of our text as translated in one contemporary version reads, “Whatever happens…” [3] To be certain, my Bible reads, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.” The thrust of what Paul has written points to the fact that he is drawing attention to the uncertainty of tomorrow. Things will happen over which we will have no control. We can plan, and we should do our best to anticipate what may happen; nevertheless, we must know that the Apostle has emphasised preparing for the uncertainty of life.
No man knows what events may unfold in the coming year. We have spent months stretching into years during which our world has been ruled by fear, fear that has controlled terrified populaces throughout the world—populaces frightened by an unseen invader. In early 2020, no one could have foreseen the disruption of life Canadians experienced for more than a year. We were promised that we only needed fifteen days to “flatten the curve.” More recently, we who live here in the North were told that we needed four weeks as a circuit breaker to halt the progress of the current surge in hospitalisations. Now, we are approaching two years since those halcyon days when our betters assured us that we could all make a small sacrifice to avoid disaster. No one could have predicted how the entire world would be plunged into fear, and the manner in which fear would rule the populace into the unforeseen future! No one could have imagined such societal turmoil, such division throughout society! And yet, here we are.
In the verses preceding our text, the Apostle has been speaking of his life and ministry. He is filled with joy as he thinks of the prayers and the help of the Philippians. As he dictates his letter, the old man is in prison and this man of God realises that continued opposition and persecution is the prospect for his future. In fact, he is aware that he may soon face execution because of the Faith. His situation in no way comes close to his aspiration; and yet, he knows that he will fulfil his aspiration since what he wants to do is not dependent upon his situation at any given moment. Nevertheless, the specifics of what this life held was very much in the dark.
And the same condition holds true for each of us. No one can say with even a hint of certainty what will happen in the coming year. At the moment, one national power appears to be giving way to other, more malign powers, and the world trembles with uncertainty. No one can speak with certainty of what will take place in this world in the coming year. My goodness, it is almost as if the Master anticipated conditions facing our world now. You will recall that Jesus warned His followers, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” [MATTHEW 24:6-8].
Jesus also spoke of “people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world” [LUKE 21:26b]. Though I am convinced that these words find their fulfilment during the days of the Great Tribulation, doesn’t it seem as if they could be applicable to this present day? It is difficult to imagine people more terrified than what we have witnessed during the past two years. It is amazing to see how an unseen invader has created a climate of fear in such a short time. And it is difficult to think that the culture of fear will change in the immediate future—jab or no jab!
Events for which we have neither warning nor opportunity to prepare will occur. We are incapable of knowing what lies ahead. Long years past, the Wise Man wrote,
“A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be,
and who can tell him what will be after him?”
[ECCLESIASTES 10:14]
Only a fool would pretend to know what will take place in the coming year. Will there be peace in our world; or will turmoil increase throughout the world? Will the United States be drawn into a war with one of the belligerent nations that seek to embarrass her? Will the great cities of North America enjoy a time of quietness, or will the restless population continue to rage and riot? No one can say with certainty what will be.
Speaking of His Second Coming, Jesus cautioned those who heard Him speak at that time. “Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” [MATTHEW 24:36-44].
There is a class of religious clairvoyants who claim to know truths that Jesus said are unknowable. Nevertheless, the Master clearly said of the timing of His Second Coming, “No one knows,” and that He is “coming at an hour you do not expect.” Perhaps He will return in this coming year. Will you be ready? Though you cannot know the timing of His return, you can be assured that He will return.
Our responsibility is to anticipate the Master’s promise to return at any moment. Perhaps you will recall a parable that Jesus told on one occasion while urging His followers to live in anticipation of the fulfilment of His promise. Jesus taught His followers in what some may consider to be a disturbing parable. The parable states, “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” [MATTHEW 25:1-13].
We don’t know the particulars concerning the timing of Jesus’ return; but we are certain that He promised to return. Who among His followers can doubt that He will fulfil every promise, including that which promises He will return for His people. Perhaps it will be in this coming year. Do you remember Jesus encouraging us who look for Him. He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going” [JOHN 14:1-4].
I understand that there are people who are prepared to say, “What happened to the Messiah’s promise to return? Ever since our ancestors died, everything continues as it did from the beginning of creation” [2 PETER 3:4 ISV]. You need to know that Scripture refers to such people as scoffers, mockers. Such people “deliberately suppress this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water” [2 PETER 3:5 NET BIBLE]. They ignore that the world that existed prior to this present world was destroyed when it was deluged by water [see 2 PETER 3:6].
Mocking God is foolish in the extreme; it cannot turn out well, as Peter observes. “Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day. The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare” [2 PETER 3:8-10 NET BIBLE].
Our Lord is coming again, and though we cannot know the particulars concerning when He will come for us, we can be confident that He will come to receive us to Himself—perhaps in the year that lies before us. In light of His promise and because we are confident, let’s take to heart the admonition given by Peter, who encourages us, “Since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish and at peace” [2 PETER 3:14]. Amen.
Other uncertainties lie before us. No one can say whether we will see peace in our land or growing unrest, turmoil and rage as the populace becomes increasingly unruly. No one can predict whether there will be continued peace between the nations, or whether hostile powers will test the will of the western world to resist tyranny and lawlessness. No one can accurately say whether our nation will enjoy prosperity or whether we will see financial reversal in the nation. If we are wise, we will pray for stability and prepare for chaos. We will do all that we can to provide for our family and to serve God effectively as we live to the praise of His glory.
None of us know the hour of our own death. I have witnessed too many deaths that were unexpected. Unexpected? If there is one thing that is certain, it is death. I’ve said on numerous occasions that I know death is inevitable; I just don’t want to be there when it happens. We are to keep short accounts with God since none of us know when we must appear before Him to give an account of our lives. This could be the year in which I conclude my walk through this broken world. But I don’t really have the power to know what lies ahead, so I must prepare to live in such a manner that I will not be ashamed to face my Saviour.
The point that I am stressing, the point that we are compelled to accept as reality, is that we who know Christ, just as is true for those who are outside of the precincts of grace, do not know what tomorrow holds. Jesus has taught us, and we must incorporate this truth into our lives, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” [MATTHEW 6:34].
CHRISTIANS CAN ANTICIPATE CERTAINTY IN THE COMING YEAR. “Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents” [PHILIPPIANS 1:27-28a]. Having spoken of the uncertainty that stretches out before us in the coming year, I must speak of the other side of that coin. Some things are certain, and we who follow the Saviour need not speculate about these things. Events will require us to face up to these certainties, embracing the challenges presented throughout the year.
I am convinced of a significant truth: I am immortal until my service is complete. We Christians, we who follow Christ the Lord, can rest in this certainty—each of us is immortal until God is pleased to call us out of this present life and to Himself. Just so, the Apostle speaks of his confidence in fulfilling his ministry which God had assigned. He is confident that he will remain for a while longer. Some events are known, though we may not speak with certainty whether they will occur in the coming year or not. We are responsible to so live that whatever happens we are prepared to honour God.
Here's the point that each of us must grasp—you will be allotted sufficient time to accomplish precisely what is necessary. We often speak of God having a plan for our life. Unlike the sagas of some ancient communities that visualise a skein defining your life, or unlike the common views of much of our society, God does not detail every facet of your life. Young people often wonder whom God would have them marry. However, the Bible is rather vague on that issue, except that God’s will is that we are to marry in the Lord. An example of this is provided in Paul’s admonition to widows who may wish to remarry. He writes, “If her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord” [1 CORINTHIANS 7:39].
The principle applies on all aspects of life—our life occupation, where we should live, how we should dress. Because we follow the Lord, we are admonished to seek His glory. Thus, we are taught, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” [COLOSSIANS 3:17].
In the coming year, we are certain that THE WORD OF GOD WILL NOT CHANGE. God’s unchanging Word is a certainty. Our willingness to submit to that Word as those occupying this present day may sometimes appear fluid, but the Word has not changed. It should be obvious that the foundations of our Faith have never changed, the cardinal truths defining our Faith have never changed. We change, and not always for the better. We are sinful people, and the old nature resists the upward call of the Master. Yet, God has given His Spirit to those who have looked to Christ as Saviour. And that Spirit reminds us that we are citizens of a better land. Though we cannot define the means by which it happens, there is created in our heart a longing to see the Lord. We know that it is the Spirit of God living within Who reminds us of who we are, creating the longing for Heaven, but we don’t know the mechanism of His work. Though we don’t know how the Spirit works in our hearts, we are confident that He does work.
Our society treats the idea of science as though it was a god. Political leaders assure us that they “follow the science” while stripping people of civil rights and destroying economies. And they do follow the science; until they don’t! Here’s the thing that we must never forget—science is not points of view in some kind of smorgasbord from which we choose favourites. Science is knowledge; and until we can know with certainty, there is a continual search for truth. Science does not consist of a series of dicta brought down from some mysterious mountain. Science consists of the vigorous interaction of concepts and ideas, of theories and questions, until the truth is revealed. Consequently, established science changes frequently.
At one time, it was established that we live in a geocentric solar system. Scientists all knew that the earth was the centre of the universe, the sun revolving around the earth. That view persisted until it became obvious that we live in a heliocentric solar system in which all the planets rotate around the sun.
We once thought that foul humours caused illness. Therefore, when people were ill, we bled them, cutting veins or applying leaches to draw away the “foul humours.” It is suggested that George Washington succumbed to the treatment of bloodletting, as a major contributor to his death. [4]
Not that many years ago we had no concept of bacterial disease. Cholera, for instance, was thought to be caused by “bad air.” Treatments could be vicious. For instance, in one case, doctors made a paste of lemon juice, rust, and potassium aluminum sulfate to rub all over the patient’s eyes. That treatment didn’t go over particularly well. The pain that the treatment induced caused the sick man to lash out at his physicians until running to a nearby stream he drank copious volumes of water. [5] The man actually survived the cholera, but he did go blind from the treatment. Thankfully, our knowledge of the cause of illnesses and the treatments for those same illnesses has progressed considerably from that time.
We can be certain that WE WILL FACE OPPOSITION FROM THE POWERS OF HELL. We have known opposition from the wicked one during times past; and that opposition will continue in the coming year. In fact, the opposition we will face may intensify. None of us can speak with authority on what we will face in the realm of the spiritual. We are quite certain, however, that we will be opposed, especially if we determine that we will endeavour to honour the Saviour. Jesus has warned us as those who follow Him, “In the world you will have tribulation” [JOHN 16:33b].
This word of caution is but a succinct manner of restating what He said shortly before those words were spoken. Jesus warned, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me” [JOHN 15:18-21].
We know that WE WILL BE TEMPTED TO CEASE OUR STRUGGLE TO BE GODLY. Even if there is no opposition from satanic forces to compel us to turn from following the Saviour, our flesh will oppose us. It is difficult to be godly when the flesh continually conspires against the desires of the Spirit Whom God has given us.
We grow weary when we are forced to stand firm against the temptations of the flesh. Doing good is demanding, especially when we must do what is good and honourable in the face of opposition from the world. Did you ever notice how frequently throughout the pages of the New Testament that we are urged to watch ourselves so that we not grow weary? Here are a few examples. Writing the Galatian Christians, the Apostle urges readers to stay focused on the outcome of walking in the Spirit. Paul writes, “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” [GALATIANS 6:9-10].
What Paul wrote in this Letter to the churches throughout Galatia echoes what he wrote earlier to the congregation in Salonica. Drawing his second letter to that assembly to a close, the Apostle urged these struggling saints, “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good” [2 THESSALONIANS 3:13].
A final reference will have to suffice for reminding you of a constant theme in the New Testament writings. The unknown author of the Letter to Hebrew Christians wrote, “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” [HEBREWS 12:1-4]. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ our Master. Remember how He endured opposition, knowing that He would soon pass beyond this moment where sinners oppose Him. Moreover, you struggle now against sin, but you haven’t resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
I don’t know any of us who have witnessed our daughters sold into slavery or beheaded as is true for some of our fellow believers. I don’t know any of us who have been crucified or burned alive because we follow Jesus as Master of our life. I don’t know anyone who has been run over by a bulldozer because she stood to protect the church building in which we meet. I don’t know any among us who have been jailed because we declare Christ to be Lord. Such may come, but that is not the case now.
WE WILL FACE NEW CHALLENGES THAT WE CANNOT ANTICIPATE NOW. No one can predict what will happen in the coming year. We are kept from even predicting with any accuracy what will happen in the moments immediately before us. You may recall that in the Sermon delivered from the side of a steep hill, Jesus was quoted as saying, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” [MATTHEW 5:33-37].
This statement was leading up to an even more pertinent affirmation. We have heard what Jesus said on that day, but we struggle to do what He taught. For Jesus said, “I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” [MATTHEW 6:25-34].
What Jesus said anticipates the testimony the Apostle delivered, and which each of us can recite with confidence. “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” [2 TIMOTHY 1:12]. We may not know what challenges we shall face, but we can be assured of Who stands for us in the midst of each challenge.
We can be certain that OUR SAVIOUR WILL CONTINUE TO STAND WITH US. Jesus has promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” [MATTHEW 28:20]. God has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” [HEBREWS 13:5b]. Therefore, each of us who are known by Christ the Lord are able to assert,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man to do me?”
[HEBREWS 13:6b]
We know that Jesus OUR LORD WILL GIVE US STRENGTH TO HONOUR HIM. With the Apostle, you and I can say, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” [PHILIPPIANS 4:13]. Later, facing the final test on this earth, the Apostle would write of being deserted and his response to that situation. “At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” [2 TIMOTHY 4:16-18].
CHRISTIANS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH GREAT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE YEAR BEFORE US. “It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have” [PHILIPPIANS 1:29-30].
Why do we celebrate the New Year? Isn’t it because we recognise that we are given an opportunity for a fresh start? Quite possibly the year past saw some definite losses. Any of us at any given time are painfully aware of statements in which we could have been more gentle, more compassionate, more forthright. We are far more likely to remember our blunders than we are to remember our successes. Thus, the prospect of a new year stretching before us offers the possibility of doing better.
Whether we will do better is questionable, especially if we are not changed from what we were during the times of past blunders. And that is precisely the point that the Apostle is making—we will face times of testing, but we are promised the presence of the Master Who has conquered death, hell and the grave! Though I cannot accurately predict the precise tests you will face in this coming year, I am confident that you will face tests.
Recall the opening words of Peter’s First Letter to the saints of the Diaspora. Peter has written, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” [1 PETER 1:3-9].
Take special note of something that is almost hidden in these opening words to God’s saints who were under pressure. The Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, acknowledges that the Christians were passing through severe trials—trials that created tremendous grief for those saints. However, God called those suffering saints to look to the far side of the trial they were passing through. The trials they were then experiencing were testing the genuineness of their faith! And the trials you will experience in this year ahead will serve to reveal the genuineness of your faith! God will not permit you to experience anything that destroys the real you, but He will demonstrate through you that He is at work in your life by standing with you in the trials that come.
I am not saying you will not experience financial reversal, or loss of health, or be deeply pained at loss of loved ones or ruptured friendships. I am saying that whatever may come into your life, Christ will stand with you. You will not be deserted. Know that something far better lies beyond the moment.
Paul was imprisoned, his immediate situation was defined by deprivation; his mobility was restricted. However, in the midst of the restrictions he was experiencing, he could yet testify, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better” [PHILIPPIANS 1:21-23]. Can we say with conviction, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better?” Can we say with confidence, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain?” Such an attitude as this marks the Christian prepared for the New Year. Amen.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[2] John S. Hurt, “Beulah Land,” ©Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
[3] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI 1984)
[4] “The Death of George Washington,” https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/the-death-of-george-washington/, accessed 3 December 2021
[5] Katherine Ellen Foley, “The history of cholera treatment is a masterclass on turning failure into success,” August 29, 2018, Quartz at Work, https://qz.com/work/1372666/the-history-of-cholera-treatment-is-a-masterclass-on-turning-failure-into-success/, accessed 3 December 2021
