May 20, 2022 -- Luke 18:8 -- Faith on the earth? Do not despair!

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

…”when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”
Luke 18:8 ESV

Wikipedia has an entry about successive Canadian census data and Christianity. In 1991 34.9% of Canadians identified themselves as Protestant Christians, that is about 9.4 million people. Ten years later, 29.2% of Canadians identified themselves as Protestant Christians, that is about 8.6 million people. Though the total population of Canada grew by 5.9 million, there was a sharp decline in those who call themselves Christian. (Had the percentage of Christians remained steady at 34.9% over that decade, then there’d have been 11.4 million Christians!) So the average Christian family is not even retaining their children in our precious faith, let alone reaching neighbours.

The words of our text this morning are embedded in a larger narrative. Jesus is teaching His disciples to pray, and pray persistently. That is an important take-away in all of this: for a man to stand against the tides of debauchery and sin in our world, especially as we enter the last days, he must be a man of prayer. Holding tightly to His Father in heaven, on the basis of Jesus’ blood and the Spirit’s power at work in him.

Knowing the statistics should not discourage us. Long ago already Jesus foretold of the coming crisis. He told believers so the last days would not be ones of hopelessness and helplessness. Those who are true believers shine like lights in a wicked and sin-darkened age. People will turn to Christians, those who stand up for Jesus while the world groping around in rebellions against the Living God. Such people who are hungry for Good News will find it in those who truly believe. They will be drawn to the Light of Christ which radiates from the heart, and life, of believers.

Be prepared to speak what you know to be true. More than ever believers are evangelists. We are scattered to the four corners of the world with Gospel witness. It is not just the work of your minister or your church leader, it must be you—all who believe in Jesus Christ—who are prepared always to present the truth of Jesus Christ Trust that the Spirit of God will lead people to you, people who need to know what you know. People starved for salvation, who can relate to you and won’t be intimidated by what you know, but will relate to you and accept Who Jesus Is as you explain what the LORD has done for you.

Father in Heaven, blessed and honoured be Your Name. You have given us Jesus, the King, the faithful and true Witness to Your covenant love. Father, forgive us for our wavering faith and uneven testimony to Your glory. Thank You for the reviving Spirit You have given us. Thank You for those whom You placed in our lives who were bold enough to declare the beauty of Jesus and the power of His saving work. As evidences of the decline or even the end of Christianity in the world are shouted at believers, remind us of the vital, spectacular picture of heaven, where every rule and kingdom opposed to You is already defeated. Renew in us the splendid vision of angels surrounding the throne hymning Your glory and the saints and elders of previous ages, throwing down before You their crowns and every achievement and in awe-filled worship, speaking and singing the surety of Your victory. 

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