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To Everything, There Is A Season – Viral Believer
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To Everything, There Is A Season

There is a verse in the book of Ecclesiastes that is very famous. It is found in chapter 3. You may recognize if from the song “Turn Turn Turn” by The Byrds. At the beginning of this passage are these words.

To everything, there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven: 

Ecclesiastes 3

In that passage, King Solomon gives a list of seasons that are in polar contrast to one another. For example…

6 A time to gain,

And a time to lose;

A time to keep,

And a time to throw away;

7 A time to tear,

And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,

And a time to speak;

8 A time to love,

And a time to hate;

A time of war,

And a time of peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:6-8

These polar opposite seasons make it extremely difficult at times to know how we are to respond in certain situations. I am sure I don’t have it all figured out. I just know that there are seasons where each of these and more are appropriate.

What I do know is that there is a time to stand and a time to sit down. We must be willing to lose, willing to throw away, willing to speak up, willing to hate what is going on, and willing to go to war. These are just as valid as their polar opposites.

Recently my wife and I found ourselves on a hill where we had to make a decision whether or not this was a hill we were willing to die on and for. I think more and more people are finding themselves on similar hills. They are being forced to decide whether to stand and fight, or sit down and shut up.

This brings me to the crux of what I want to communicate today. Should we pursue peace or go to war? Now it may not be physical war, but it is a type of war all the same. It is a war for the hearts and minds of our families, our churches, our communities, our cities, and our State and Nation.

But Wasn’t Jesus A Peacemaker?

Yes, He was a peacemaker, in fact, He is the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) We are also told to pursue peace with all men. (Hebrews 12:14 and Romans 14:19) In fact, Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

Doesn’t this show that we should just do whatever to make sure we are at peace with our neighbors and our governments? That depends on the season.

Let me show you something else Jesus said.

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 10L28-39

Those are some pretty tough words, aren’t they? You see, the difference is when the world or those following after the world are pressuring people to give up their faith, their values, their commitment to Christ.

That is why my wife and I found ourselves on a hill that we knew we had to be willing to die upon and for. It was the commitment to Christ and His people the church. He is the head of the church and the gathering of people in His name is His body. You cannot be committed to one and not the other.

Notice right in the middle of this is another passage that is famous with Evangelicals. It is used all the time in altar calls that are asking people to make a commitment to Christ.

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33

Are we going to stand or are we going to lie down? Is this a time for peace or a time for war? Are we going to confess or deny?

I cannot answer for you, but I do know that as for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

Blessings!

Pastor Duke

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Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.