And the Winner Is?

I lay in bed, my mind in a fetal position.

Drugged by the words I’d read in an article: “Sex After Christianity” by Rod Dreher

Christians have lost the cultural war. What will Christianity look like in 40 years?   

Wars, terrorist’s bombings, sex trafficking, Dr. Gossner’s gruesome third-trimester abortions, the gun slaughter of children in their classrooms …and now I had to think about the demise of the Christian church?

How could I sleep knowing the enemy prowls this earth like a lion seeking to kill and destroy? And to the victor go the spoils: men’s unsaved souls.

When I awoke, my heart was an anchor dragging me through the day. My facial expression looked as though someone had died.

Then I remembered SOMEONE HAD DIED.

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18)

Buoyed by truth, I listened to praise music. Instead of world news, I focused on the GOOD NEWS…the gospel of Christ, the only hope for humanity.

Battles are waged, but the war for righteousness was won centuries ago…by the Prince of Peace who came to earth to reconcile man to God.

But at the time, Jesus  didn’t look like the victor. Instead of wearing an olive wreath, he wore a crown of thorns.

Did Satan dance a jig, give his demons “a high five” when he watched Jesus shedding blood on the cross?

Did the smug, self-righteous religious leaders think they’d won by silencing the man who claimed to be the Son of God? A victory short-lived once they heard people claim Christ had risen from the grave.

Did Christ’s apostles taste victory as they died a martyr’s death?

Did the culture appear to win while Christians were thrown to the lions, impaled on stakes?

Even now the blood and the Voice of the Martyrs across this globe cry out, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Rev 6:10)

Rest assured, Jesus says, “I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”(Revelation 22:12)

And knowing this, I laughed in the face of the enemy. You fooled me. For a second, I thought all was lost. But that’s not true….

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4, 5)

Author: Karen Foster

I'd like to say I've changed, but after decades of living, I still have the same four passions. My relationship with Jesus, spending time with family, attending live theater, and writing devotions & first-person stories about a loving, faithful God who reveals Himself in our every day circumstances. View all posts by Karen Foster