Advent 2: Overcoming evil times

The general spirit of Advent is a longing for the glorious intervention of God in the affairs of men. Our previous meditation focused on the need to look up when things begin to unsettle us. Such an attitude is not in any way to promote a laissez-faire attitude to the concerns of the present age – certainly, we must contribute our best efforts to the transformation of our environment and neighbourhoods for the benefit of all. However, we cannot be under any illusion about the growing tendency all over the world towards ungodliness. Accordingly, we also must face the fact that such a tendency has unsavoury repercussions from the God who has not abdicated His sovereignty over His creation.

As part of Christ’s predictions about the last days, He alluded to what would be a widespread breakdown of relationships: “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11: And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12: And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold (Matt. 24:10–12). We have seen this in the preponderance of dysfunctional marriages and the ethical bankruptcy that has led to unimaginable acts of wickedness and betrayal by trusted relationships.

The natural response is to return hatred in the same coin, and jettison Christ’s teaching about love. We have seen instances of betrayal, unforgiveness, even by those who profess Christianity. Indeed, religious establishments and leaders having this mindset have carried on recklessly with platitudes that are devoid of the spirit of the Christian faith. That prophets are mentioned as part of the process of deception is frightening, but not strange anymore. So much scandal has rocked religious houses and frontliners that it is almost becoming normal. Those who wish to take themselves seriously wonder if there is still room for integrity. The Lord Jesus also alluded to lawlessness, which He said would increase. These days, state power is sometimes being used to cover up evil, and there is hardly a safe harbour for justice. This should not take us by surprise because the Lord Jesus already warned about it.

The effect of this state of things is clearly stated: “the love of many will grow cold.” What could this possibly mean? People who used to pattern their lives after the standards of love for God and for His people begin to change their minds and live by strange standards that they find convenient. Apostle Paul shed some light on this when he wrote, in 2 Timothy 3:1–5: “You should know this, Timothy that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2:

For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3: They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4: They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5: They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

The Lord Jesus further tells us what we must do to overcome times like the one described above, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. It is so easy to give up when things get tough and it becomes difficult to live by godly standards. He tells us to endure – not just for a time, but to the end if we will be saved.

There may be compromises all around us, but we must stick with the truth: learn the truth, hold on to our convictions and remain unshakable. It might involve prosecution, for Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote further in 2 Timothy 3:12 saying: “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” That is why we must end this brief meditation with the words of the same Apostle Paul elsewhere: “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good,” (Romans 12:21).
• Most Reverend Emmanuel A.S. Egbunu is the Bishop of Lokoja