How easy is it to stay rooted and grounded in the faith? When life is good, it can be a challenge. It is somewhat easy to forget to whom we belong. In tough times, folks may get mad at God. That’s not what we’re asked to do. Our mandate is different. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Matthew 24:13 NIV
[13] but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
IYKYK
The abbreviation IYKYK is fairly popular in social media speak. It says, If You Know, You Know, and suggests that insider knowledge influences understanding in a given situation. Sometimes what is to be known is coded, but it may also be about exclusivity. Can you imagine being a disciple in the Know in Jesus’ day? It must have felt great.
Self-Check
How important to us is ‘being in the Know’?
Application
The disciples wanted insider information about The End Times. It may simply have started with a desire to know more than the others who were following Y’shua. It could also have been that they wanted to prepare themselves and their arms for the battle they assumed would ensue between the forces of God and the devil. I am sure that the crucifixion and a Second Coming did not feature in their thoughts.
But it does in ours. While we may not wish to give it prime time in our alone time, current events may even leave us with questions about God and God’s God-ness. As the birthing pains intensify, I suspect that these theological issues will be prioritised.
We note that Y’shua is clear. It is in our faith-stance that our ‘salvation’ gets determined. When the going gets tough, some of us will fall away. The issue of theodicy, believing in God when faced with undiluted evil, is hard. Hopefully, our insider knowledge will keep us anchored.
What’s the insider knowledge, you ask. I’d argue that there are two bits of knowledge we each need to be armed with. The first is the fact of Y’shua’s divinity and humanity. Our ability to accept and confess Jesus as fully human and fully divine will affect our ability to believe what He’s promised. The second relates to our interpretation of these signs. When we recognize that Y’shua took the path of nonviolent resistance in the face of injustice, we may find ourselves challenged to do the same. Some will walk away, some will take the cross. For those who walk away, we may not have the luxury of time to repent.
Are we prepared to take up the cross for the sake of Christ when others are prospering simply by claiming to be the Christ? Siblings, the answer to that lies in our access to, and belief in our insider knowledge.
IYKYK
Point to Ponder
Now we know. What will we do?
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.24.13.NIV
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May all we seek be found in Christ
