Unfortunately we live in a world of moral compromises in the areas that really matter. Standards are falling everywhere and values are decaying. It is a process that has been going on for some time. The result is that we live in a world where the problems simply do not go away.

Our social problems just seem to get worse. The scourge of unemployment, the harmful influence of life in urban areas, crime, the plight of the homeless, growing levels of poverty — none of this is disappearing. Broken families, racial and ethnic tensions — the litany of our growing problems seems to be endless. At their core these are all moral problems.

Who will stand up and powerfully teach true values? What is needed is a special kind of person: someone who is willing to stand up and carry weight, whose faith and convictions can withstand the winds of worldliness that blow so powerfully, and make no compromises with the values and priorities of God.

The Bible describes this "special kind of person," they were the Christians in the Philadelphia church who "have kept my [Jesus'] word, and have not denied my name" (Revelation 3:8). The Christians in Philadelphia were strong and faithful. They were full of God's holy spirit. They did not compromise with God's truth.

We all need more of the same holy spirit to imitate the behavior of the Christians in Philadelphia. The Holy Spirit is the only antidote to the disturbing events prophesied for our time. God tells us in several places that shortly before the return of Jesus Christ His Church will be severely tested. Satan will do everything in his power to destroy the Church. And the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25) indicates that some will fall asleep.

The Christians in Philadelphia held fast to the truth and to God's values, despite trials and testing. They had an outstanding spirit like the prophet Daniel (Daniel 5:12; 6:3). Do we have the spirit of Philadelphia today? Don't you want God to see you as Jesus describes the church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)? This is what all Christians should strive for, and with God's help we can achieve it!

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!