The Best of Times

My friends and I used to discuss what time period we wish we'd been born into. The formative 1500s? The puritanical 1600s? The revolutionary 1700s? The dapper 1800s?

As for me, I always felt like I was best off right where I am. Not only because I can't imagine a childhood without Star Wars and Atari, but because as a Christian I believe we live in exciting, pivotal times. In spite of this, we don't always count our blessings - or spend our treasure wisely. Those who are born into royalty know from their earliest days that they must be wise stewards of their privileges. Don't they? Well, maybe they don't... but should!

What about us? As a Christian, do you recognize the times you live in? Consider the following:

1. We have the advantage of living on this side of the cross and resurrection. Our understanding of God's redemption and care for his people is exponentially greater than even that of John the Baptist.

2. We have the advantage of living on this side of the church's formative years. We have the example of the martyrs and the heritage of the creeds. We have the entire New Testament.

3. We have the advantage of living on this side of the Reformation. While not perfect or complete, the Reformation was a great recovery of biblical doctrine, preaching, and living.

4. We have the advantage of living in the information age, with the wisdom of the ages at our disposal. With a few clicks, you have access to libraries of writings by church fathers of all kinds. You can read Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, and listen to sermons spanning the globe, all for the cost of an internet connection - or for free, if you use the library's computers.

5. We live in an age when the church is growing all around the globe.

6. We live at a time when all kinds of gifts are welcomed in the church. I don't think they had "spiritual gift inventories" in the good old days - and it seems that in many eras of church history, a variety of gifts went without recognition or proper appreciation.

Much more could be said, but let me conclude with the most important advantage of all:

7. We live on this side of Pentecost. Jesus said "greater works than these shall you do" for a reason. Jesus said "you shall receive power to be my witnesses" for a reason. Jesus said "your joy will be complete" for a reason. Jesus said "this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all nations" for a reason. The reason is the Holy Spirit. In this sense it doesn't matter if you were born in 70 AD or 2007 AD.

Some might say that we also live in an age of unparalleled temptation or distraction. I would argue the advantages far outweigh the challenges, at least when compared to other historical moments. But ultimately, the difference does not lie outside but inside - God has given us unending resources to know Him, grow in Him, and serve Him, and what matters most is recognizing these vast privileges.