How to Love God and Stay Faithful to Jesus in an Anti-Christ World

We live in a world system that seeks to mould us into its ways. The Word of God says:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

The 'world' in Romans 12:2 refers to an entire system that is anti-God, anti-Christ and loveless. Everything in it goes against God and is actively encourage people to live in a way that they cannot find God. It is not simply that people by nature do not seek God (Romans 3:10-12). It is also that the world system is bent on trying to harden the hearts of people against God. 

Hence, why the hearts of many in the west and the westernised nations are hard and cold towards the Gospel, while those of many non-westerned nations are much more open and receptive.

Jesus said that many who try to make it to Heaven will not make it. That is itself a very sobering truth. That is why Jesus said: 

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Being a follower of Jesus is not about going to church, reading the Bible regularly and living a moral life. It is about living a holy and righteous life, one that seeks to do His Will, and His Will alone, one that makes sacrifices one's will, vision, aspiration, dreams, ambitions and desires, all for Jesus Christ. Very few are willing to do that. 

Most of those who profess Christ are not true followers of Christ. Many who are genuine followers of Christ are doing battle with the thorns in life which are actively seeking to kill them and choke the Word out of them (Matthew 13:7; Luke 8:14). Such people are in a precarious situation that is the most dangerous, for they have come to the knowledge of Christ, but are struggling with being sure of their Salvation. If such people do not make it, they will suffer an even greater punishment (Hebrews 10:26-31).

While following Jesus Christ is costly, and anyone who truly follows Jesus will make great sacrifices, the cost of not following Jesus is even greater. So, my friend, do not be discouraged, fearful or frustrated about the sacrifices you make in following Jesus. Not following Jesus and seeking the world is not worth it in the end. As Jesus said:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26)

For those of you who think you can both follow Jesus and the world, and serve both God and mammon, in seeking the things of the world, no you cannot. Jesus said that "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6:24). Jesus' warning was to His disciples precisely because many who seek to follow Him are trying to serve both God and mammon.