A Knowledgeable Christian Worldview

I recently read the following words in an online article describing how the old in Puerto Rico are in dire straits since hurricane Maria hit.

Listless and lonely in Puerto Rico, some older storm survivors consider suicide. Don Gregorio says he feels hopeless and has had suicidal thoughts. He's been isolated since Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico last September (2017).”

As I read I thought, as bad as its been in Puerto Rico, it’s hardly a reason to consider suicide. But then my thoughts went to how blessed I am to live in a Florida retirement community, and then I considered that some of the most lonely and depressed people I know also live here in my community. Yes, they are in their “golden years” of retirement and most have sufficient money and access to good medical care. But, it’s clear that their mental state is generally depressed, having even less than a ‘half-empty cup view of life.’

Many see that their families have disintegrated and love ones have died, and some may just need time to mourn the loss of there spouse. But I believe this lingering general depression is due to something more. I believe such a depression is due to the average non-believer lacking the appropriate ‘Biblical worldview that would sustain and enable them to successfully cope with all the issues of life in their old age, and also have joy, peace, and rest in their hearts all the while... unto death and going home to dwell with the Lord eternally in the heavens (2Cor. 5:1).

With all that they do possess, many can’t successfully bear the issues that they face in this ‘season of life.’ Like all of us, their bodies are decaying, accompanied by the associated physical pain, but more than that, many live in a state of boredom and loneliness, with a deep-seated feeling of meaninglessness and despair. Having no sustainable hope and seeing no meaningful purpose in living, life for them is dreary and bleak. Activities, entertainment, alcohol, or medications may mask the problem, but these are not the answer.

By contrast, the genuine grace believing Christian, who faces the very same life issues as the hopeless non-believer, knows his Bible’s revelation of truth concerning ‘the world and life. The knowledgeable believer knows he’s in an eternal relationship with Christ, so he’s not lonely. He has the written “word of God” to guide his steps and comfort him. He also has a sustaining “blessed hope,” which more accurately is translated “a confident expectation” of eternity in heaven with His loving Lord.  (Titus 2:13 KJV, below)

Such a genuine believer is equipped with God-given wisdom to view the world and life… as the Bible explains it. Thereby, he clearly knows evil continually exist and that all of mankind is fallen, under Sin’s dominion; so, today’s corrupt culture, governments, and religions are not surprising. He knows suffering is to be expected and ‘all things are working for the eternal good.’ This, and the saving grace of “the gospel of the grace of God” that he knows, and sometimes shares, gives purpose’ to all his remaining days on earth.

So, there are no surprises or disappointments for the knowledgeable Christian, rather he looks to the eternal glory that is to come. Meanwhile, he views his life’s happenings as being ‘of the Lord and for his eternal good’... knowing his heavenly Father’s hand is always at work in renewing his soul as he learns to ‘trust the Lord’ in all things, situations and circumstances. He has learned to look not on the temporal fading things that are seen, but rather to his unseen eternal ‘blessed hope.’

“Knowing that he (God) which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, (so) that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward (our body) man perish (is dying), yet the inward (our soul) man is renewed (spiritually) day by day.

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:14-18 (KJV)

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13 (KJV)

I can’t imagine navigating life, especially my old age, without my Lord and the wisdom of His words being at hand. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (Job 13:15)