Even if you aren’t someone who consumes a lot of news media, you would be hard-pressed to have not heard at least some of the discouraging headlines about Christians in our little slice of the world in recent history. Churches, denominations, and prominent leaders—failures, scandals, injustices, cover-ups. Ugh. If you’re like me, these events often come up in conversations with people: “Did you hear the sad news about _______?” or “Can you believe ______ did that?” Of course, we never have all the details in these stories, but sometimes we know enough to grieve and be reminded of how we live in a broken world with an enemy still prowling like a roaring lion.
Sometimes we fixate on a scandal like a car wreck we just have to look at. We might wonder about the legacy of those involved, the impact on their organization or denomination, or the response of other leaders. However, amidst these thoughts, I found myself wanting to focus on something better. I need to point my mind in a Philippians 4:8 direction. What can we remind ourselves about God when stories of brokenness and failure like these arise?
- God’s Plans and Purposes Are Not Deterred
If social media existed in the time of Israel, imagine the constant stream of discouraging stories that would have circulated. That’s a couple of thousand years of horrific headlines! Yet, God’s purposes stood firm then, just as they do now. No matter how disheartening the news, we must remember that God's plans are unshakeable.
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"For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?" - Isaiah 14:27
- "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21
God's sovereignty ensures that no matter what happens in the world, His ultimate plans will come to fruition. I picture a 2-year-old child playing a grandmaster in chess—there is nothing the child can throw at the grandmaster that will derail or frustrate him.
- God Is Serious About Purifying His Bride
Newsflash: God is serious about sin! God’s desire for His people is holiness, and He is committed to purifying His Church. While it’s painful to see sin and failure exposed, it is a grace of God. Sin brought into the light is a good thing. It is an opportunity for repentance, correction, and growth.
- "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." - Hebrews 12:14
- "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:15-16
- "For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness." - 1 Thessalonians 4:7
God does not just leave us to our sin—that would literally be hell on earth. It’s hard to diagnose in the moment, but time may show how God, in this season, was uprooting all manner of idols or places of bondage in our little corner of the world.
- God Is Shaping Us Into a Compassionate People, Not a Cynical People
Man, this is difficult for me. Cynicism feels like a constant threat. It’s crucial to remember that God is forming us into a people of compassion. He is the blueprint, so we are constantly being shaped and grown by the Spirit in mercy, patience, and unfailing love.
- "Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness." - Exodus 34:6
- "Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" - Romans 2:4
Of course, as believers, we know the most scandalous thing of all time—the grace of God through Jesus. Romans 9:33 calls Him the “rock of offense” (skandolon, from which we get our word scandal), “and that whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” He is literally THE scandal of all scandals—and that’s some good news.