The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:12–14

Despite the shamelessness and promiscuity of our time, purity and faithful love – within the commitment of marriage – are still possible today. We are certain of this truth, even if many churches have neglected to proclaim it. Yet certainty in truth is not enough. As the world slides to ruin, must we not join the voice of John the Baptist, who cried out for repentance and a new life?

John's message – "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!" – was simple, and he was not afraid to confront the leaders of his day. But his call to us – to the devout and the religious – is no less sharp: "You brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Matt. 3:7–8). And he warns us to "bear fruit that befits repentance."

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples that "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few" (Matt. 9:37). How much truer is this today! Many people long for the freedom of Christ, but remain chained to their sins. Very few people dare to stick out their necks, and yet the task is great.

Without God, everything is permissible

Sadly, things which were considered morally repugnant less than fifty years ago are now regarded as acceptable lifestyle "alternatives." Homosexuality and gender-altering surgery are now legitimate choices, and even bestiality and pedophilia are defended as means of "expression."

What must God think of the shamelessness of our time? In The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky reminds us that if God does not exist, everything is permissible. Aren't we seeing "everything" now? When will we stop to consider the horrifying spirit of rebellion behind this sinfulness, and remember God's warnings about his wrath in the end time?

And we are surely living in the end times. It is the last hour (1 John 2:18). We must be on the watch continually if we are not to fall under judgment in the last hour of temptation. We need to seek the inner strength and courage to speak up for God and his cause, even if no one seems willing to hear us.

The struggle for purity demands daily resolve

All of us know temptation. Even Jesus was tempted in every way that we are (Heb. 4:15). And James writes, "Blessed is the one who stands firm in temptation" (James 1:12).

What matters is the will of our heart – the will that speaks within us whenever we come before God in prayer. But it is of greatest importance that our entire will be decided for purity. A divided heart will never be able to stand. And willpower alone cannot bring about single-mindedness. If we work ourselves into an inner frenzy, even if we manage to keep our head above water, we will soon tire out and sink. Only if we surrender to Jesus can the power of his grace fill us and give us new strength and resolve.

Let us remember the words of Paul: "You shall reap what you sow." Those who fill their hearts and minds with the sickening images of present-day culture will deaden their hearts and wound their souls. So let us ask God for the mercy of his judgment before it is too late. Let us ask him to wake our burdened consciences, to cleanse us, and to bring us new life.

Therefore keep watch!

Jesus' parable of the ten virgins should be a warning and a challenge to all of us. Jesus is not speaking here about the lost world on the one hand and the church on the other: all ten of the women in the story are virgins, and all of them are preparing to meet him. He is challenging the church:

The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight the cry rang out, "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out."
"No," they replied, "there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves." But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
Later the others also came. "Sir! Sir!" they said, "Open the door for us!" But he replied, "I tell you the truth, I don't even know you."
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matt. 25:1–13).

Are we willing to demonstrate that a new way exists?

We cannot merely run from the challenge of sin. Instead, we must live in active protest against everything that opposes God. We must show the world a new reality, the reality of God's righteousness and holiness, which is opposed to the spirit of this world. We must show with our lives that men and women can live lives of purity, peace, unity, and love wherever they dedicate their energies to working for the common good – and not only by creating spiritual community, but by building up a practical life of sharing. Above all, we must witness to the power of love. Each of us can give our lives to others in the service of love. That is God's will for humankind (John 13:34–35).

The visible witness of such a community will do far more to convince society than a million pamphlets on abstinence. Christian ideals can be explained, but moral principles are never enough. Only when the world sees living proof that a Christ-centered sexual life is possible – one where true freedom goes hand in hand with reverence and responsibility – will people welcome such values and norms.

However, wherever God's will is lived out, it will be misunderstood and seen as provocation (1 Pet. 4:4). Two thousand years have not made our present world any more tolerant of Jesus' message than the world of his time. Those who are unwilling to accept his way will always be resentful and even vindictive toward those who witness to it, and a clash is inevitable (John 15:18–20). But if we who claim to follow Christ are afraid to live out his commands because we fear persecution, who will do it? And if it is not the task of the church to bring the darkness of the world into the light of Christ, whose is it?

Our hope is in God's coming kingdom. Let us wait faithfully for that day. Every word we say, everything we do, should be inspired and influenced by our expectation. Jesus, the bridegroom, expects the bride to be prepared and waiting for him. But when he comes, will we be ready? Will we be "a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle"? (Eph. 5:27) Or will we be full of excuses? (Luke 14:15–24)

We must never be afraid of the ridicule and slander our witness will bring on us. What grips us and drives us should be God's future – the wonderful future of his kingdom – not the present "realities" of human society. It is God who holds the final hour of history in his hands, and each day of our lives should be a preparation for that hour.

 

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