STABILITY IN AN UNSTABLE WORLD

In Jeremiah 3:36 we have the following question presented to us “Why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way?” The word gaddest simply means to go to and fro, and presents an unstable situation. That the world is in such an unstable situation is patently obvious. We are being led by politicians who are constantly in a state of flux, not knowing what they are doing or indeed what they are elected to do, dancing to any tune that may bring them a few ill-gotten votes. They are unsure, confused, ill-advised and generally untrustworthy.

 We have church leaders who are dancing, or at least trying to dance, to every tune that is played, gadding about, not knowing where they are going or from whence they have come, changing the Word of God into a lie to suit their own ambitious and ungodly ends. There is no stability in what they say or do, they do not give any sound lead or point to a clear way ahead. Like the politicians, they have lost their way and are leading others down the path of destruction, following the ways of self-delusion and confusion, all of which leads to instability.

 Where then can we in a world that is so unstable find stability?

 It should be said that God the Father does not desire His people to be insecure and unstable. This runs in the very face of His own nature, which is immutable. The Lord Jesus Christ would not have His disciples live unstable lives, for He is the “same yesterday and today and forever”. So God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ are stable, and in them we find the stability that is missing in the world.

 In God there is no variableness or shadow of turning, therefore His Kingdom is stable and secure. His Word too is sure and unchanging, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35) says the Lord. The laws that He has given remain, for as Jesus said “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matthew 5:17-18).  The Word of God is sure, and gives stability, where otherwise there is none. As God says in Ezekiel “I am the Lord, I will speak, and the Word that I shall speak, shall come to pass”  (Ezekiel 12:25).

 Today the vast majority of people, including many professing Christians, conduct their lives according to the word of men, whilst true Christians desiring security and stability, seek by God’s grace and mercy to conduct their lives “according to the word of the Lord.” The politicians and leaders speak, but in the main what they say is worthless and untrustworthy, and soon vanishes into thin air. But the Word of the Lord “liveth and abideth forever”.

  With politicians and leaders of such worldly and ungodly character, it is not surprising that the nation and indeed the world is unstable. The kingdoms of this world will always be unstable, for they are living by faulty principles. On the other hand the policies and politics of the Kingdom of  God are sure and stable, offering security and peace to all who seek to live in obedience to them. Responsible parents and grandparents want the best for the up and coming generation, and we want them to live in a stable and secure environment. There are two ways of ensuring that they do. The first is to remove from office this and any other ungodly government replacing it with one that is guided by the Word of God, rather than by the prince of the world, Satan. Whilst this first option may be a little too much to hope for, the second option is more practical, and that is to begin applying the principles of God’s kingdom to our own lives, living by God’s standards rather than those of the world.

 As citizens of the Kingdom of God, our conduct is to be Christ-honouring, “let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27). It is from the Greek word translated “Conversation” that we derive the words Politics, Policies and Police. In other words our lives are to be governed by the policies and politics of heaven and policed by the Word of God, thus ensuring a stable and secure manner of life.

 Today the politicians all jump on the bandwagon of “Family Values” as they try to score political points over each other. They hypocritically pass laws which have the effect of undermining these values bringing about instability. The biblical principle is a secure family unit centred around a loving relationship between husband and wife. This divine principle, laid down at the dawn of creation, is re-emphasised throughout the Bible.

 Stability in this unstable world may be found when Christians once again live according to God’s will. Family life is a fundamental building block in any stable society. In the 1950’s and 60’s a concerted effort was made by the so-called “Women’s and Children’s Liberation Movement”  to destroy this. To all intents and purposes they have succeeded. Today the fundamental principle of “Honour thy father and thy mother” is largely ignored. Parents are often frightened to discipline their disobedient offspring because some do-gooder may report them for child abuse. Even worse, their children may take them to court. If there is anything designed to cause instability, it is this nonsensical situation. 

Stability is found where children are taught to honour their parents in a biblical and proper fashion. Stability is found where God’s people live by the Word of God, rather than the dictums of man. Stability is be found where the local church seeks to live out its life according to the principles of God, by caring for its own.

Peter J Gadsden