The most famous opening line of a novel is from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” But how can anytime be both the best and worst of times? A comparable biblical phrase is in Malachi 4:5: “the great and terrible day of the Lord.” How can the day of the Lord be both “great” and “terrible?”

       Dickens’ book answers how it can be the best and worst of times, and the Bible answers how the day of the Lord can be both great and terrible. Here’s a hint: everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and what cannot be shaken, because it is built on God’s kingdom, will stand the test of every storm and by this become a great light to those in darkness.

       If we look at the entirety of our lives and believe Jesus is the Son of God, go to church, pray, and read our Bibles, we might conclude that we are doing well compared to others. However, as instructed in II Corinthians 10:12, those who compare themselves to others are “without understanding.” For true disciples of Christ, we are not to compare ourselves to other people, but only to Jesus. We are called to be like Him, and this is the only measurement that matters.

       One of the greatest deceptions is to think our lives are pleasing to God when we are, in fact, spiritually lukewarm. “Lukewarm” is a condition Jesus described as so repulsive, it caused Him to vomit (see Revelation 3:15-16). If that is our condition, what can we do? Anyone who has truly met the King, our God, who is a “consuming fire,” cannot help but become a burning fire for Him. To be lukewarm or lack passion in any relationship is the greatest insult. To act this way toward God is the greatest human deception.

       Jesus said in Luke 12:49: “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled!” In the discourse that follows this statement, the Lord spoke of divisions that would come to families and how essential it was to know the signs of the times. Have we ever considered that the present divisions manifesting in our times, even in families, are things the Lord required? How can this be when He prayed so much for unity in John 17?

         This is a paradox, not a contradiction. The unity of His people is dear to His heart, but a false unity that supplants and distracts from the true unity is the greatest enemy. True unity can only happen when God’s people are separated from the evil that covers this earth, and this requires a separation from all who love evil more than the Lord.

       So, how do we fulfill the command to, “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)? And how can we have “peace with all men” when the world is descending into terrible darkness and growing divisions? This is not always possible, which is why we are instructed to pursue peace without necessarily achieving it. Neither is pursuing peace the same as pursuing agreement.

       It is always right to pursue peace with those whom we disagree. It is also important to have wisdom to know when this is not possible. What we always must pursue and never stop attaining is “the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” To be sanctified is to be holy to the Lord, and to be holy to the Lord is to be “wholly” His. The best example of this is in the life of Jesus.

       Unquestionably, Jesus was the most sanctified person to walk the earth, yet sinners were attracted to Him and He to sinners. His worst enemies were the self-righteous who walked in deep darkness. Sinners were attracted to Jesus because He did not share in their sin or compromise with it in any way. He was steadfast in His holiness, which compelled Him to hate sin. However, true holiness unites us with the true God who loves all people and desires that all people be saved.

       As the divisions in our world increase, are we growing in love or hate for our enemies? This can determine whether we are on the path of life or have drifted onto one of the many paths that lead to darkness. We must learn to love our enemies and those who hate us. However, this does not mean we must agree with them. True love will never compromise the truth.

© 2023 Rick Joyner. All Rights Reserved.