Black & White

Recently, while spending time with the Lord, I had an image of Jesus. He was wearing a smart black shirt and plain white trousers. It was a striking black-and-white contrast.

Later, the same day, I walked into the office and one of my colleagues was wearing a white jumper and black trousers. Then, as I drove home, I passed a large banner with a yin & yang image on it. In the space of five hours I’d seen the theme of black and white repeated three times!

I asked the Lord what He wanted to highlight through this, and the first word that came to mind was the word “contrast”. I felt it had to do with how things will progress in our Christian communities, and the contrast that will now become even starker.

The definition of contrast is:

The state of two things being strikingly different from one another, especially when they are compared or experienced side by side.

The Lord wants the Church to be strikingly different. To stand out. To be set apart.

We can’t afford to blend in with the world or leave room for grey areas. There will no longer be the option of sitting on the fence or compromising here and there. There is no room to drift from one teaching to another.

The black and white concept will be more evident in certain areas.

1) Doctrines:

More teachings are circulating now than ever before. Some teachings appear to align closely with Scripture but contain subtle distortions. We must grow in discernment with the help of the Spirit of Truth.

Some reject the Trinity. Some teach that Jesus was only a man and not God. Some teach that believers must earn their salvation through good works only. Still others claim that death is a state of total unconsciousness, with "Hell" simply meaning the grave.

None of these are sound doctrine. 

This is not about being harsh or judgmental. It is about becoming firmly rooted in God's truth while continuing to reflect His love and grace. 

The Gospel must not be watered down. Read the Word. Study the Word. Don’t accept a teaching straight away just because it sounds inspiring at the time. Ask the Lord for more revelation. Search the Scriptures and discover the truth for yourself.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

^“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

2) Holiness and righteousness:

There will be a stark contrast between the holy ones and those who compromise. Between those who truly hunger and thirst for righteousness and those who are content merely to maintain the status quo.

Chase after righteousness. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Express your desire for it and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Guilt and shame can have a grip on us, but God is faithful to remove it. He longs to bless, to prune, to heal so we can walk uprightly and wholeheartedly before Him. He will bestow His honour upon you.

Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)

“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour.”

3) Develop tough skin and resilience. 

We read about Paul in Acts 14:11-20. On the same day he and Barnabas were treated as gods. Later that very day, Paul was stoned by the same crowd! We may not experience such extremes, but we may be praised one day and criticised the next. What will our response be?

Definition of resilience: the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

Let us ask for the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. To remain steadfast in the Lord, no matter the circumstances.

We are moving into an era of black and white. Where do we stand? Are our roots in the Lord deep enough to withstand the pressures that may come?

Take a moment to ask the Lord, “Is there an area in my life where I need to grow?” 

For example:

• Am I compromising in my beliefs?

• Am I pursuing holiness and righteousness?

• Do I need to develop greater resilience?

Journal the things God is showing you.