Fri Dec 28, 2012

EDITOR: Great evil has taken a hold of this slowly perishing earth. In these last days, men are becoming worse and worse in their characters and, as a result of sin in the heart, are increasingly manifesting a scant regard for righteous principles and values.{{more}} Clearly, this ominous climate of moral degeneration confirms the prophecy of the scriptures “… evil men shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived”- 2 Tim 3:13 and “… in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy” – 2 Tim 3:1, 2.

Nevertheless, though evil is ever present in societies of all nations, the importance and benefits of doing good remain fixed to the reality of living. Persons must first recognize their duty before God, surrender to His power and allow Him to use them to reach hearts and influence souls. Definitely, God calls His creation to a life of tenderness and loving kindness that is to be demonstrated to all men. A life that is designed to strengthen and perfect the human character in every good work according to His will as He (God) fits the heart for heavenly glory – Heb 13:21.

Certainly, in these times, God demands an inward heart change that will lead the man to the keeping of all of God’s commandments and that will be manifested in true selflessness and care for mankind. “If ye love me, keep my commandments”– (John 14:15) is the test before every man and “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour…”– Romans 13:10. Moreover, John shows the practical nature of the love that we as humans ought to have. He indicates “but whoso hath this world’s goods and seeth his brother have need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”- I John 3:17. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue but in deed and in truth”, he further counsels in I John 3:18. In obedience to the Holy Ghost, we must put aside the foolish idea of “loving persons as much as they love us” or only loving those who treat us kindly and other self-created twisted notions which prevent us from reminding men of God’s goodness. We must be prepared to use our means and positions to help those in need and not allow “the hard times” or other excuses to cause us to be unduly self-focussed. Should the man with five shirts pursue to add others to his collection, though he sees his helpless neighbour being left to walk through the village naked? Is it enough for one to attempt to console his hungry neighbour with words, but refuse to give him that which would make him full?

God awaits to bestow blessings upon those who first would accept His righteousness and then continue therein, making use of opportunities to do good unto men. Additionally, Romans 12:10 shows the Christian love that God desires for all men to have for each other: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring another”. Hence, let us not forget to show God’s love, amid the existence of evil, to our fellow men. Let this love be shown in the keeping of the commandments, in a profound respect for the rights and freedoms of all, in a willingness to share earthly substance in moments when you should, in sharing the truth to those in need of it and even in taking time out from your daily schedules to be an audience and an encourager to one in desperation (or deep sorrow) as you visit homes, hospitals, and prison houses. In Romans 12:21, it says: “Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good.” We are also told that “…to do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” – Heb 13:16.

Mbeki Swift
[email protected]