Perfect Coping Mechanism for These Dark Days

Posted on March 23, 2021

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By David Ettinger

Christian Conduct
These are dark and dreary days. I speak of the pervasive sinful culture in which we live, and Bible-believing Christians know exactly what I mean.

Sadly, our response has not cast us in a good light. Some have lashed out at those they view as enemies, accusing them in most ungodly terms of stealing elections and creating pandemic mayhem. Others have surrendered to fear and anxiety – despite Jesus’ directives not to.

Yes, the times in which we live are unprecedented, but this does not give us cause for ungodly behavior. After all, Philippians 1:27 commands us to “conduct [our]selves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

Perhaps you are thinking, I agree. Is there a Bible passage to help me conduct myself properly? I submit for your consideration Jude 20-21:

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Living it Out
The 1-chaper Book of Jude confronts the issue of false teachers within the Church. Jude holds back nothing in condemning them:

But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts” (vv. 17-18).

Our world if filled with mockers whose priority is pursuing their lusts. Furthermore, “These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage” (v. 16).

We find such people in government, on TV, and tragically, in our churches. It’s enough to make a Christian weep. But the Lord Jesus doesn’t want us to weep; He wants us to properly cope in such circumstances. As per Jude, there are several ways to do this.

First, we are to “[build ourselves] up on [our] most holy faith (v. 20). We do this by studying and obeying the Bible, not by spending hours consuming TV news and online conspiracy theories. God’s Word is the only guide we need for ascertaining Truth and acting righteously in light of this Truth.

Second, we are to pray in the Holy Spirit (v. 20). This means praying according to God’s will as revealed in the Bible; that is, praying for the lost to be saved, not condemned.

Third, we are to “keep [our]selves in the love of God” (v. 21). This means being occupied with God’s love. Being occupied with God’s love is to display God’s love. Being occupied with God’s love prevents us from being occupied with bitterness and fear.

Fourth, we are to “[look] forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” (v. 21). We are to focus on Christ’s return and all it entails. At His return we will receive our new bodies and be ushered into the new Heaven and Earth (1 Corinthians 15; 2 Peter 3:13). How much better to meditate on our glorious eternity than on the dreariness of this present existence!

Our Coping Mechanism
What a coping mechanism for these bleak days! Sure, if you want to embrace conspiracy theories and spew hate on those you disagree with, go ahead.

But for me, “building [myself] up on [my] most holy faith,” “praying in the Holy Spirit,” “[keeping myself] in the love of God,” and “looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life” is the far better way to go!

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Posted in: Application, Bible study, Bible teaching, Christian Behavior, Christianity, Comfort, Commentary, Culture, Dedication to Christ, Devotional, Drawing Close to God, Editorial/Blog, Glorifying God, Loving God, Making a Point, Moral Corruption, Moral Fall of the West, New Testament, Obeying God, Practical, Praying