Friday, November 27, 2020
“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus” (Acts 17:5-7 KJV).
Is society right side up, or upside down? It all depends on our perspective!
A Christian brother and longtime coworker in ministry recently told me, “We live in a mixed-up world!” Satan and sinful man have made a real mess of God’s once-perfect creation. What was originally order is now chaos; complicated situations and circumstances have replaced simple ones. An easy life of pleasure has given way to difficulties and pain. Darkness has taken the place of light.
The really absurd part is that man’s heart has deceived him to such a degree he actually believes he can make the world a better place (cf. Jeremiah 17:9). In fact, one group suggests our reformation of the planet will entice Jesus Christ to return and live down here with us. The fact of the matter is, however, things are not improving, are they? Confusion and corruption are becoming more widespread. Churches are split. Families are divided. Nations are fragmented.
Back in the A.D. first century, the Apostles’ time, the Roman Empire was the world government. Christianity, while deemed an “illegal religion,” was mightily used of God to bring spiritual enlightenment to abject pagans. Still, like today, many were comfortable in their ignorance. Thus, they bitterly fought against the truth. In today’s Scripture, unbelieving Jews accused the Apostle Paul and his ministry co-laborer Silas of “turn[ing] the world upside down” with their “nonsensical” Gospel message. Heathens were trusting Jesus Christ, breaking free from all the “societal norms,” and enjoying new (sanctified) lifestyles. What lost people had labeled “turning the world upside down” was really the Lord “turning the world right side up….”
333 Words of Grace 