Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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An email from Brother Brad.
Hi John,
You can’t go anywhere anymore in public without the feeling that this world is rapidly deteriorating to the spirit of cynicism. I am feeling saddened and sick by a strange thing I saw at the bookstore.
This was at [name withheld], the big popular store, like Barnes & Noble.
I was browsing, and Molly called to me from a few aisles away, “Dad, come here, ... you know the world’s getting pretty bad when you see this. . .”
She pointed to the top shelf in the SCIENCE FICTION section, and there was a whole row of Bibles, NIVs, KJVs, etc....
I sighed when I saw it. It made me sick immediately, because I felt the “intent” behind it. It was a bizarre feeling; a public mockery, if it was done intentionally – and it seemed to have been done intentionally – with a wicked sense of humor; that spirit of cynicism. I actually think I’ll call the place tomorrow and speak with a manager. It was just so strange. Such a sick, pathetic joke. Oh how I pity this world, especially the young people who most likely arranged that; something so insensitive, so perverse, as that.
Brad
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Brother Brad:
That is sad. Let’s pray, as I have been doing today since I got your email this morning, that God would anoint servants of His with enough power so that men will know, again, that the gospel is not science fiction. With the body of Christ in the divided, weak, and confused condition it is in, the world may well consider the message of the gospel as just a myth. (What do we expect from the world? Faith?) Pray that God will once more show Himself mighty for His people, and that He will do it in our lifetime.
Jesus said that all men would know his disciples by the love that his followers have one to another. There must not be much love among the saints for one another if the world is becoming as blatant and sarcastic as that bookstore seems to be. God help us!
jdc