Introduction: I am nervous about writing anything today because Americans are so polarized over personality. President Trump this and President Trump that … We are amidst tumultuous times, where it seems one man is a lightning rod to easily-provoked people. It’s like America is one big embarrassing Jerry Springer Show.

I don’t know where things are headed. All I know with certainty is that we’re amidst spiritually dark times. It’s a time of hate for so many. Folks are resorting into tribes and tribalistic thinking. As a student of history, what I see is a return of full-blown paganism, similar to the despotic reign of Caligula.

Evidence: We do the same things: child sacrifice, infanticide, sexual deviance, a redefining of terms, a hatred of the Bible (Christianity, in particular), etc.

And you’ll remember that Rome fell. It was not just because of foreign invasion. That was certainly part of it. But mostly it was due to internal moral rottenness. Guess what? We’re in the same kind of sinking ship.

Scripture speaks to this:  When Paul was in prison for his Christian witness (don’t miss that, Christian; persecution has been the pattern always for truth-tellers), he wrote the following … from prison:

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9, ESV).

Encouragement: We’re in a mess, yes. But the answer is not a politician, folks. The answer to the sin problem is the Savior. That Savior is Christ. Look to him. Flee to him. Learn from the apostle Paul’s witness. Read church history. Be salt and light to your neighbor, to your coworker, to your child, to your friend, to your enemy. But by all means, stand your ground with grace and truth. Why? Because he who calls you is faithful.