Over the last one hundred years humanity has seen the rise in popularity of all the ism’s as well as the rise of new ism’s. I am referring to atheism, Catholicism, humanism and all other such things. I say it is the era of ism’s as it is at the point where modern society is being consumed by such things, as well as rampantly searching for the next big thing. Though these things consume modern society, it is the opportune time for the disciples of Christ to do two things, the first take the gospel to all nations, and second stand for our faith.
Rise of the ism’s
There are many possible reasons as to why such false things have become so popular. Although it can mostly be attributed two things. The first being the last century has seen the greatest loss of human life in the entirety of human history, this lead to the crumbling of values long held by many people and many nations, and so instead of turning to God they turned to other things, i.e. false gods, the idea that humanity is all wise and through self-exploration we can be all that we can be. Secondly the desire to find something more, anything to bring clarity and purpose to life itself. Both these things have both greatly attributed to the rise of the ism’s and as a result countless numbers of people have been led astray by such false religions, it’s our mandate to not only stand for our faith but spread the truth.
Next big thing
The next big thing whilst a strange concept, is one that cannot be denied. One need only look at the news to see the copious amount of things in which modern society has become obsessed with. The next big thing can really be anything at all honestly, it could vary from the newest piece of technology or the newest form of humanism. Essentially what I am getting at is that there are so many people who are determined to fill their lives with anything and everything in order to achieve some form of completion, yet in truth it is only God and having Christ as the foundation of life in combination with genuine faith and salvation in Him that anything makes sense.
The two things
I mentioned before the two things that we as the church, the disciples of Christ need to do in this opportune time, the time in which the world needs the church of Christ most. The first is taking the gospel to all nations and all creation, and something that we as the church have the responsibility to uphold and see through. It isn’t hard to see that we have dropped the ball, we slipped up along the way losing focus on our God given purpose, and essentially, we made it easier for all the ism’s take root, although not entirely our fault we still played a part and got it wrong. The second thing standing for our faith. In the new testament Jesus over turned tables in the temple, He made a stand for His Father’s house and will. It’s been quite some time since as a whole, we stood for the principals, the commandments and word of God. The world has heard from leaders of all the ism’s and some disciples of Christ have indeed been persecuted but what about the rest of the church? Should we not consider it an honour to stand for what God has called us to represent and be persecuted for it? Christ said we will be persecuted, that false teachers and religions will rise but He, the twelve and the early church stood for their faith regardless and ultimately gave their lives for their faith in Christ and in His Kingdom.
The last century has seen that rise and popularity of all the ism’s. I firmly believe that we as disciples of Christ so desperately need to stand against all such things that aren’t of God in a way that is peaceful but firm and seek God collectively as disciples.
Ashley Menelaws lives in Kingaroy, Australia. He is currently, studying teaching at Christian Heritage College and newly married. During his free time Ashley can be found, reading an old book or collecting new ones.
Ashley Menelaw’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/ashley-menelaws.html