We see everything that’s going on in the world today.  And we wonder why.  But really.  We shouldn’t wonder.  It’s written plain as day in the Bible exactly why the world is in moral decay.

The world.  The people of the world refuse to believe in God.  The age old question is why.  Why do people refuse to believe in an all-seeing, all-hearing, all-knowing God?  Why do people turn their backs on the truth and run in the opposite direction?  Because, it seems, once people start running, they run too far.  And then if they decide to repent, it’s a long walk back to the truth.

Oh.  It can be done.  The long, humble walk of repentance.  and shame.  and regret.  That walk can be painful, but the prize at the end is glorious forgiveness.

It’s clear that we need the Holy Spirit in our lives today.  The only way the Holy Spirit could come to us is if Jesus left the earth.  That’s what he told his disciples.  They were sad, because they didn’t understand what he meant.  And they didn’t want him to leave them.  They didn’t understand that he was sending an advocate.  A comforter.  A guide in his place.  He didn’t leave this earth just to leave us alone. 

Here’s the thing.  While Jesus was in the world, the world’s hatred was directed at him.  And he knew that as soon as he was gone from the world.  That is, when he returned to heaven to begin preparing an eternal home for us.  That the world would direct their hatred at his followers.  And he was preparing his followers to survive that hatred by sending them the Holy Spirit.  He didn’t leave them here to wallow in fear.  He sent the Holy Spirit to lead them in truth.  But people didn’t understand his message.

Here’s the other thing.  Jesus could only be in one place at a time.  The Holy Spirit is not limited to one place.  He is everywhere at the same time.  Don’t ask me how that works.  I trust that is true, and I believe it.  Odd as it sounds.  I believe it to be true.  I believe it to be true, because I believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

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The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. John 16:9

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His message still stands true today. 

And the world still refuses to believe in God. It’s obvious. And now the world has placed a target on the back of those who call themselves Christians. For people who say their sins are forgiven and are following biblical truth, the world is quick to point a finger of ridicule and contempt. It’s because the world doesn’t know God.

But let’s back up.  When I say the “world” refuses to believe in God, I’m talking about those who reject God and the teachings of Jesus.  Those who pervert the truth.  Those who applaud and accept evil as good.  Those who reject biblical standards.  It may seem as though they’re fighting us, but they’re fighting the God of the universe.  We Christians are the standard bearers of the gospel, and we make those who reject God uncomfortable.  They may think we’re offensive, but it’s the fact that they are offended by God that makes us offensive.

And we can rise to the occasion.  If we ask God, he will empower us with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.  Because that same power lives within us. 

Let’s not be offended when we are shunned or canceled or persecuted.  When we are overlooked or singled out or ridiculed.  We are not here to impress others.  We are not here to bow to lies and fabrications of the truth.  We are here to lead the lost to a Savior who will forgive their sins.  We are here to witness to a hostile world.  We must be bold and confident in our faith, because the Holy Spirit lives within us and will enable us to stand strong in his truth.  He will equip us to love others in the same manner that we are loved.  We are his ambassadors in a world that is searching, but doesn’t know what it’s searching for.  We know that God is the answer, and we must be the ones to lead them into truth.

He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16