10-14-24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I was younger I was part of the \u201cLove Generation.\u201d Or so I was told. It did not seem so at the time. Without answering the burning question \u201cHow old is<\/em> Marschall???\u201d I will just say that it was during the era of campus unrest, street riots, assassinations, political turmoil, and protests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I thought then, and think now, that the generation\u2019s \u201cLove\u201d kind of passed me by. I gratefully recognize now that society has calmed down, matured, and gotten to a point where love, not hate, now prevails. I direct the jury\u2019s attention to today\u2019s spate of campus unrest, street riots, assassinations, political turmoil, and protests. In my best broken French I will say, Plus \u00e7a change, plus c’est la m\u00eame chose<\/em> \u2013 The more things change, the more they stay the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This rule of life is\u2026 a rule of life. Recent archaeological discoveries reveal tremendous engineering achievements in what we otherwise call \u201cpre-history,\u201d by unknown peoples and forgotten civilizations. Ancient societies might not have had video games and fast food, but many of our ancestors assayed the stars, produced fine art, and were sophisticated in their understanding of human nature. (I wish we understood humans half as well.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course this applies to Revealed Truth as well, in fact better than any other applications. God\u2019s Word has never changed. You are near, Oh Lord, and all Your commandments are true<\/em> (Psalm 119:151). His Words are true, cannot change, must be righteous, and beneficial, in all times and in all places. He would not be God otherwise. Our tastes change \u2013 styles of music, forms of worship, flavors of ice cream \u2013 but if there is anything we need in life, it is the constancy, reliability, and integrity of God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 the \u201cgood with the bad.\u201d Of course I cannot suggest anything is \u201cbad\u201d about God\u2019s Word and his commandments and promises. But \u2013 back to understanding \u201chuman nature\u201d \u2013 we bristle at some things. Inconvenient truths. Rules of conduct and morality. Warnings about disobedience; sinning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing that the \u201cworld,\u201d and many Christians, do not well understand \u2013 or maybe do not want to understand \u2013 is that once we become Children of God, accept Jesus, and follow those Commandments the best we can\u2026 the promise of paradise seems to grow dimmer, or further away. Heaven will be our home, but \u201cHeaven on Earth?\u201d It is not <\/em>promised in the Bible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, just the opposite is promised, predicted, and prophesied. The Bible\u2019s many heroes and heroines comprise a gallery of persecution. Hebrews Chapter 11 is nicknamed the Hall of Fame of Faith \u2013 names of many saints and noble souls who endured much\u2026 and never reached their various Promised Lands. We honor them, but they sustained calumny, abuse, and rejection in their days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus Himself told His disciples, and, through them, us that we can expect<\/em> such treatment. From the world, from society, even our families. He went further: He said the world would hate<\/em> us. And He drove home the point by saying that if the world will hate us (and if we cannot understand such treatment), we must remember that the world hated Him first. And worse. To the point past persecution, abuse, rejection, betrayal, and slander; the world hated Him to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we navigate this life, through this world, how willing are we to withstand opposition? Mild, wouldn\u2019t you say, compared to what Jesus endured?\u2026 what His followers through the years faced?… Friends and family, Jesus told us, might become as enemies in their hatred toward us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These reminders are harsh, but remember that God\u2019s Word does not change. Whether the issues are the election\u2019s; or the family squabbles are about your values and life choices; or\u2026 anything at all, God\u2019s Word did not allow for loopholes. No free passes. No rule changes late in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The world hates us. Sorry, Christians \u2013 you will experience many blessings, but if you are true disciples, you will also go through hell on earth. If the world, the devil, and evil people leave you alone, you might not be doing your job as a follower of Christ. If it were not so, He would have told you. So\u2026 have a fun election, and a good Thanksgiving get-together, and some robust debates. Heaven does<\/em> await. The \u201cLove Generation\u201d \u2013 Eternity \u2013 will be ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n