Who Are They?

When we listen to the news, we are bombarded with so many bad things happening everywhere. We see violence in our schools, churches, malls, grocery stores, hospitals and even in our homes. More and more people appear to be deceptive, angry, filled with hate, lack integrity, cold, non-compassionate, unprofessional and violent. This behavior seems to be obvious in every area of life. Sometimes, you might feel as if you’re in the Twilight Zone! You may ask the question, “Who are these people?” The Bible says, they are people in darkness. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). These people could be your neighbors, co-workers, our political/ government leaders, acquaintances, friends, church members, family members or at one time perhaps even you!

As horrifying as this sounds, we should not be surprised. Scripture says, “For in the last days dangerous times of great stress and trouble will come, difficult days that will be hard to bear. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness (religion) (2 Timothy 3:1-5 Amplified Bible).

Frightening, right? But before we judge those who behave in this manner, the Bible says none are righteous (Romans 3:10). As Christians, we were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord (Ephesian 5:8). Furthermore, we are reminded that, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy.” “So, who are we to judge our neighbor?” (James 4:12).

The good news is that because God loved the world, He sent His Son not to condemn the world, but to save the world by dying for our sins (John 3:16-17). Those who trust Jesus have been saved by His grace. They are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). They no longer live in darkness or for themselves, but for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15). So, although Believers are still in this world, they no longer live like the world (John 17:14)!

As for those who are still in darkness, Jesus says we are to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1) . In Acts 26:18, Jesus told Paul, “I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” Jesus desires that no one should perish but all would come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Finally, Jesus commands us to tell those who are in darkness about Him, to baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything He has commanded us to do (Matthew 28:18-19).

Cover Photo - Silhouetted Crowd of People Walking on Busy Street courtesy of ISTOCK

Food for Today:

1 Timothy 1:13-14

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.