DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY YOUR OWN FAILURES
"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Every believer should use caution when applying the context of an ancient historical narrative to one's own life. The transfer of a particular ancient promise is not necessarily parallel to our modern context. That said, Joshua 1:9 holds the promise of a very dear universal truth, it holds that ultimately no enemy of the soul can stand before those who trust in God. Within that particular context for that particular age, and this age as well, a universal promise rests. There is this universal promise of the eternal inheritance for all Christians in every age.
More than that however, we have the promise that we are never alone. That promise is a central part of our spiritual inheritance. And that promise is our strong shield of faith. That promise is our armor against the world's evil times. That promise defends against careless preaching. That promise helps us find our way among all the confusion infecting the Church of Jesus Christ in these dark pagan days. That promise is our assurance that we can never truly become lost when we have truly received God's promise.
God commanded Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. And if that wasn't enough motivation, the people said they'd follow him if he would be strong and courageous. True, honest, faithful management of God's teaching will inspire faithfulness and encourage obedience. The people seek truthfulness. The church needs faithfulness. Everyone is empty inside and they need teachers who will faithfully fill them up with the good news. FAITHFULLY being the operative word.
God commanded that Joshua should be courageous in taking care to keep His commandments, not in virtue-signaling ones acts of righteousness (Joshua 1:7-8). And our society today preaches hopelessness in religion while advocating for virtuous living by seeking self expression in one's imaginary identity. Let me say that again in a different way. Today people are encouraged to become god in and of themselves.
Example:
Actress Penelope Cruz had this to say when asked about religion:
“I was baptized and had my first communion, and I believe in God in my own ways. But the philosophy I identify with the most is Buddhism, because it’s the one that doesn’t say, ‘this is the only way.’ I don’t want to put a title on what I believe."
The attraction to Buddhism, and to many other self-focused religious practices is mainly there doesn't seem to be any judgement, no falling short of the mark. Now, I said "doesn't seem to be" because they're wrong. In fact in all these eastern spiritual traditions is a deep and profound judgment. A huge expectation is inherent in these humanist teachings. The judgment is boiled down to the failure to achieve eternity's (nirvana) heavenly reward by means of one's works (less than necessary works). Penélope Cruz doesn't want to name the Savior, she doesn't want to place her trust in His name. She prefers trusting in her own means and efforts for achieving the heavenly promise. She doesn't have the courage to remain in His promises. And as we all know, no one has the power or authority to achieve that heavenly promise under their own steam. In matters of self-salvation, in the day of salvation, each and every human being stands alone and incapable of finding another way into that eternal promise. No one can make their own way.
God created humanity with one foot in space, time, and in the material world, and the other foot in the spiritual world of the eternal. And since that creation there's been shift in how the world sees truth. This shift has moved spirituality away from absolute truth. Penelope Cruz and people like her don't want to believe in absolutes. For them truth and Gods Word is up for interpretation. They're searching for a way that works for them. A way that conveniently fits their lifestyle. They firmly plant their hope in this material world. Their hope lies in an ever changing relative landscape of human nature.
So what's a body to do?
In John chapter 8, Christ draws a distinct line in the sand, teaching us that we are either a child of God, and believe the truth of the Gospel, or we are a child of the Father of lies, Satan himself. There really is no middle ground, there is no neutrality. The battle lines have been drawn and we are all going to fall on one of two sides. Today, one foot in the spirit and one foot in the world. It's ABSOLUTELY a binary choice. Truth is exclusive, it's narrow, it's absolute, and at times it's going to be uncomfortable. And in a world of relativism, faith in Christ's absolute truth MUST seem to be narrow-minded, bigoted, and intolerant. It can't be helped.
The solution...
...to what is ailing our world is found only in the Absolute Truth of God and His word. It doesn’t matter if it's unpopular or hard to reconcile. It's reality and how people perceive that reality does nothing to alter its Truth.
Jesus said to his executioner, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
The Truth doesn't comport with the ways of world because it's not of this world. Truth happens when something is faithful to or exactly like the standard or original. By definition it is exclusive. It cannot be subjective and remain true. Joshua was commissioned to strongly uphold the truth. He was commanded to do so with courage. Likewise we all must remain in this truth, you cannot be accurate without a measure, a standard. Randomness is of the Devil, it leads to chaos which is hell. And that is the natural consequence of the beliefs of many people today. God doesn't send anyone to hell, they choose their own way, and that way leads to eternal death.
God loved us enough that He provided the standard for us to measure with. The standard of Truth is found in His Word. That Word is his Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. And in him he provides an example. There is no example of a successful transition into the eternal by one's own means, and yet the majority of the people chase after that effort. God gave us truth in the form of a person, His Son Jesus Christ. He is the only LIVING example.
John 1:14 tells us: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Christ is calling us all to believe in Him, in the life He lived, in the death He died, and in the victory He won for us through his resurrection. And no other truth has been as intensely persecuted, banned, burned, and despised as the Bible truth, yet it has survived and continues to thrive. 8,000+ Latin Manuscripts and 4,000+ Greek Manuscripts meticulously kept throughout the ages.
So, what should our response to this Truth be?
Know it and know Him.
Set your hearts apart for Him.
Always be prepared to give a reply in His Word.
Obey Him. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
That's it!
Now do it!