THE ATTITUDE OF BELIEVERS IN THE FACE OF GROWING LAWLESSNESS

Unless we are spiritually asleep or live in a fool’s paradise or in a world of make-believe, we must surely be aware that lawlessness is on the increase and particularly in lands where knowledge of the law is widespread. In addition to the fact that the forces appointed to uphold the law and to administer it. are often confessedly inadequate, there is corruption and bribery among these forces themselves. The elements of lawlessness, ever ready to spot any loophole or weakness in the legal system and its operation, are preying on this disintegrating system; for such it is in the hands of unregenerate men as never before. The moral concept and motive of law, so clearly defined in Rom. 13:14 as being for the curbing of evil doing, is becoming gradually lost sight of, and law is seen to be in an increasing measure the tool of private interests. The Scriptures long ago forsaw such a case and so we have the words of Psa. 94:20. “…which frameth mischief by a law.” It is true that in all this a facade of righteousness is maintained but it is only that the work of deceit may be more effective and that men may “call evil good and good evil.” (Isa. 5:20) In view of these things it is incumbent upon us, as believers, to be watchful lest we be swept away by the current which is to issue in open rebellion against the Son of God. We are to understand the prophecies of Scripture relating to these conditions and to be armed with the words of comfort already given to us by our omniscient God in His foreknowledge. Being thus forewarned and forearmed, we shall not wring our hands in hopeless grief and impotency when some daring stroke of lawlessness deprives us of some long-enjoyed privilege, but in an enhanced realization of the nearness and adequacy of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, we shall rejoice in our spiritual privilege to suffer a little loss for His Name’s sake. (Heb. 10:34)

Again we say that unless anyone is living in a fool’s paradise (and we fear that some who are called Christians are living perilously near such a condition because of fellowshipping with the elements of this world and because of embracing wrong prophetical teaching to the effect that Christians will not see any general time of tribulation in this world, which is contrary to the words of the Lord Jesus in John 16:33), he must see that evil days lie ahead. He to whom the whole history and course of this world was an open book, likened the closing days of this age (and we are running into them very fast) to these immediately preceding the flood. (Matt. 24:37) We do well to remind ourselves of the character of that ancient world as depicted in Gen. 6:11, “and the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence….” Let us not be under any illusion, beloved brethren, as to the kind of world we live in today. Just a few days ago the writer noticed a pennant outside the door of a high school girl’s room, bearing the words, “Help us to stamp out people.” Just fun, does someone say? Let us not mistake the sinister spirit behind it or disconnect it with the spreading of killings by teen-agers. It seems one of the hardest things possible for one who has lived a relatively comfortable and sheltered existence to believe that his environment should be upset and put in danger. Nevertheless, let us make no mistake about it, that the shaking mentioned in Heb. 12:26, 27 does not except any part of the earth; no country is immune.

The prospect of these things is indeed awe-inspiring and it helps us to understand the words of the Lord Jesus in Luke 21:25, 26, for while these words speak primarily of fear due to natural phenomena, these are not disassociated with the acceleration of corruption in Gentile rule. We, too, would be overcome with fear were it not for the work of the Holy Spirit in turning our thoughts to the Scriptures which assure us that “the foundation of God standeth sure.” (2 Tim. 2:19) As we observe here and there the loosening of a plank in the platform of men’s claims to rule without Christ and His words (while the claim may not be openly expressed, it is tacitly admitted). we should be the more assured and comforted in the reality of the Kingdom of God, into which we are already entered by virtue of the new birth, of which kingdom Jesus Christ is the unshakable foundation. (1 Cor. 3:11) We are not implying here that we are completely immune from fears for if we were of such a calibre, we would be superior to men like Moses (Heb. 11:21), Paul (1 Cor. 2:3) and others of God’s faithful servants who knew what it was to fear.

This then brings us face to face with the possibility that God can, and doubtless will, intervene on behalf of His people when accepted canons of law break down. Such incidents have occurred in the past and the Scriptures testify to the fact that whereever faith was found, the breakdown or misuse of law was matched by the power of God to deliver. (cf. Dan. 3) This does not necessarily mean that deliverance from death must result if we believe, because some may die a martyr’s death, believing, which is as much a manifestation of the power of God as would be deliverance from death. The essential point is that in the face of untoward circumstances and seeming calamity, God is able to strengthen our faith and with it grant the leading as to how to exercise our faith, whether it be for deliverance or laying down our lives. While some, no doubt, will be called and accordingly led by the Spirit, with faith, to lay down their lives because of the operations of lawlessness, others will be called by the Spirit and given faith to believe for deliverance from dangerous situations because God has a ministry for them to exercise. In either case, the element of the supernatural enters in and this can only mean for true believers an enhanced appreciation of the love of God and a quiet assurance and joy in His blessed will.

We see in these days the trend of advanced education in rationalizing the things of God; bringing them down to the level of man’s debased thinking in order to render them powerless. The mighty works of God are explained away in various ways with a view to eradicating all elements of the supernatural in the Scriptures. Beloved friends, we should be concerned about this for the honor of God’s Holy Name. We need more of that zeal which David had when he burned at hearing of the reproach which Goliath had hurled against the armies of the living God. (1 Sam. 17: 26, 45–47) It is grievous to see how complacent we have become in the face of the reproaches of the present day Goliaths, who although they are not physically so big as their forerunner, nor do thev wear the same material armor, yet are nevertheless equally as active with their tongues and pens in bringing the truth of Christ into discredit. We cannot go against these Goliaths with mere theological theories but any one of us can chase a thousand of them and two (fellowshin in witness gives an increased abundanc in victory) can put ten thousand to flight if the power of God is with us. (Deut. 32:20; Rom. 8:31) “If the power of God is not with us, whether it be as individual Christians or as companies of the Lord’s people, we should be deeply concerned because we are going to need all the power we can command to stand in the days ahead. The Holy Spirit reiterates in page after page of Scripture that our God is the God of all power and that He communicates His power to us in order to serve Him acceptably. (Eph. 3:16)

An alternative rendering of the words, “… whereby they lie in wait to deceive” in Eph. 4:14 is, “… with a view to the systematizing of error.” This rendering fitly describes the process whereby the elements of lawlessness promote the work of deception which is to head up in the revelation of the lawless one, the man of sin. (2 Thess. 2:3, 8). Error is far more atractive and acceptable when it has taken shape in the colleges and universities of the world and when it is finally systematized by law, its hold over men is complete; but thanks be to God, the elect are not to be deceived. (Matt. 24:24). The context of these words of the Lord Jesus in Matt. 24: 24, taken in conjunction with 2 Thess. 2:9, show us the incidence of miraculous, Satanic workings in the final days preceding the coming of the Lord and these are ever with a view to control of the law and its perversion to exalt the antichrist. Nevertheless, something is necessary in order that the elect be not deceived. It is an awakening from God and it is significant that the early verses of Mat. 25 (following on from 24) speak of the midnight cry and the virgins arising. In certain circumstances, to awake out of sleep can be accompanied by pain and it is not a matter for surprise if some painful experience attend the awakening of the Lord’s people who have fallen into a lethargy.

So, then, what is to be our attitude and conduct in the face of growing lawlessness in the world? Surely the answer is well defined in the words of 1 Cor. 15:58, “therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord….” The work of the Lord is not limited nor circumscribed by men’s misuse of the law or disregard for it. Rather we can say with the Psalmist, “it is time for Thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void Thy law.” (Psa. 119:126)

How blessed it is to be assured of the sovereignty of the God of all grace and to know that He has made provision for His people, redeemed by the blood of His Son, to stand and hold fast the truth of the Gospel in the last final days of expiring Gentile rule. Let us continue to praise Him and rejoice in the Lord giving thanks in any situation which He in His perfect wisdom and care allows us to enter into as witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stanley J. Duce

Old Faith Defender

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