Who hasn't seen the political climate appear increasingly poisoned in recent years? In the Western world, many countries are experiencing a situation where the political landscape is at loggerheads. It is becoming increasingly difficult to form large, solid coalitions. Politicians and their parties prefer to emphasize the differences between them and attack each other, rather than emphasizing the obvious similarities they share.

What's going on in our society? Many Western countries were founded under the influence of Christian ideas. For us, this means that even if they did not fully understand the Bible, they respected the basic teachings of Jesus and His apostles. These teachings include principles such as charity, no false testimony, a willingness to reconcile, and even love of enemy. Among basic Christian virtues we also find respect for the laws of God and man, humility, patience, goodness and the willingness to bring peace.

Today, however, sociologists refer to our Western societies as "post-Christian." In our "modern" Western world the teachings of Jesus are not respected as they once were. Some even openly reject them. Secularization is spreading. Legislators in our Western world even consider whether to criminalize the public proclamation of clear biblical statements regarding morality (Romans 1:25-30).

Viewed from a Bible perspective, we live in an enduring "lawless " society. Jesus predicted that lawlessness will prevail with the consequence that the love of many will wax cold. We are increasingly experiencing this. But Jesus added: " But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 4:13).

Even as the love of many grows cold, the faithful disciples of Jesus Christ should remain faithful and endure. God sent Jesus to a world in which the descendants of Israel did not abide by their covenant with God. For this reason, the loss of their Judean homeland soon was imminent. Peter called his fellow Jews a "perverse generation" (Acts 2.40). But in that "perverse generation", God found faithful servants such as Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, the twelve apostles, Paul, Barnabas and many others.

Can God call faithful servants out of a society that is becoming increasingly lawless? Yes, he can! Two examples would be Noah and Lot.

And today He has called us! Our society may increasingly distance itself from the basic teachings of Jesus, but we must remain faithful to the end and not let the love of God in us — placed into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) — grow cold.

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!