It is certainly evident that we are living in uncertain economic times. At such times, certain industries fare better than others. For instance, there will always be a need for people to work in the food industry, for people will always need to eat. There will also always be a need for health care workers, since people will also continue to get sick and need health care.

It is equally evident that we are living in uncertain spiritual times. At such times, there will always be a need for Christians who are willing to work to bring the gospel to the lost. There will always be “certain” among the lost who will actively seek salvation (Luke 18:18), but “certain” others will trust in themselves that they are righteous (Luke 18:9), so God’s people will need to reach out to them.

It is also certain that some will continue to oppose Paul’s gospel, “certain” of them opposing it on philosophical grounds (Acts 17:18), “certain” others because they are set in their ways and so naturally resist the new truth that Paul set forth (Acts 15:1).

Who will step up to meet these challenges? In Paul’s day, “a certain disciple… named Timotheus” answered the call (Acts 16:1). How about you, man of God? Why not consider enrolling in our Berean Bible Institute, “that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Luke 1:4). Then go out and “preach the word” and “do the work of an evangelist” as the Lord would have you do (II Tim. 4:1-5).

When Paul preached in Athens, “certain men clave unto him” (Acts 17:34), just as grace believers have today. But just as “a certain young man named Eutychus” fell asleep when “Paul was long preaching” (Acts 20:9), many long-time grace believers have fallen asleep under the ministry of Pauline teaching. If you fear that describes you, why not wake up and follow the example of “a certain man…named Justus” (Acts 18:7) and “a certain woman named Lydia” (Acts 16:14) who opened their homes to the ministry of Pauline truth and helped establish grace churches in their respective cities.

Many Christians are at a complete loss as to knowing what to do in these uncertain spiritual times, but that doesn’t apply to those who know the certainty of Paul’s gospel. We have the answer to the religious confusion all about us! If you’re not part of the movement that is bringing the solution to these poor confused people, you’re part of the problem.

One thing is sure. “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (I Tim. 6:7). With that in mind, why not begin today to live with eternity in view?

To the Reader:

Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

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