In the third century Cyprian, who was later to become the Bishop of Carthage, wrote to his friend Donatus: "It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world, but I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and a good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians...... and I am now one of them."

I was speaking with my eldest daughter, Marie Pascale, earlier today. We were reflecting on the changes that have taken place in the world and within society generally, during her relatively short lifetime. It is a sobering thought that almost eighteen hundred years ago Cyprian described the world as 'incredibly bad'. As we look around us I am sure we are tempted to feel the same way as Cyprian, that the world is indeed incredibly bad!  Values, once held dear, no longer seem to have any relevance, immorality and sin bombard the airwaves in the guise of 'entertainment' and life itself is without value to so many. The moral decay of this planet is obvious to even the most casual of observers.

Before allowing ourselves to be overcome with a bout of melancholy and nostalgia, we should  remember the parting words of Cyprian to his friend; "They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians". Those of us who know Jesus the risen Christ, as our Lord and Saviour, have the power to look beyond the things of this world. We can look beyond those things that would entangle and snare us, looking instead into the very heart of He who created the entire universe. We can be certain in the knowledge that He is a good God and that He and He alone, is in charge of the destiny of this planet earth. We can, if we so choose, become masters of our souls. No longer looking to the pleasures of this world in a futile attempt to find peace and wellbeing, only to be left disappointed and unfulfilled. We can look instead to creator God. 

Not only can we look beyond the world, but those who purpose in their hearts to follow Christ and abide in His word have been given authority and power to overcome this 'incredibly bad world'. No longer need we be tossed around and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. We can set our feet upon the rock of our salvation, with the assurance that whilst this earth will pass away, the love of God for His people will by no means pass away. We can take heart in the certainty that we have a rich inheritance awaiting us in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God that has now come in the power and the might of Christ Jesus.

W. Joe Ingram