|
As
a Bible student and avid news junky, I am reminded daily of the
course of this world.
Paul
writes, (Ephesians 2:2) “Wherein
in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that
now worketh in the children of disobedience.”
A simple trip to the local grocery
store reveals the demise of our little “Mayberry” towns.
Frankly, our circle has been
broken; the destructive power of hell has been released inside
our communities, homes, families and personal relationships.
Increased crime, substance abuse, moral
decay, and family dysfunction all have one thing in common - the
blatant, immeasurable footprints of sin.
From the stock market to our own
back pockets we see and feel the greed of this world.
From the White House to the local
courthouse there is no shame in the absolute disregard for
values of the men and women we have entrusted to uphold our
laws, keep peace and maintain order.
Why?
Because God says this world is on a
course to destruction.
You and I cannot answer for our neighbors,
our parents, nor our children; but we will answer for ourselves.
Romans 14:12 says,“
So
then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
I have to keep in mind that there
are plenty of good law abiding citizens around – some saved, but
many lost.
I grieve as I look at the state of
the local church along with the resistance of so many to make
peace and ultimate reconciliation with their Redeemer who paid
their sin debt as He suffered for their sins.
Righteous indignation burns as I
see confessing Christians who fail to worship or even attempt to
be faithful in their attendance to Church.
For the most part the sinner makes
no attempt to look sanctimonious, but they, too, will give an
account.
Fortunately, as disgusted and outraged as
every Christian should be, there is a silver lining in the dark
clouds that cover a God-forsaking population that is thrusting
themselves in through the Gates of Hell.
Jesus is Coming!
My friend,
this world is on a course of destruction; but
TRUE “Hope and Change” is on
the way.
Luke 21:28 says, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then
look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth
nigh.”
The forecast is grim for a Godless
world of heathens that refuse to repent.
As a child of God, the utter demise
of all that is righteous and holy is only a sign of the truth of
God’s inerrant, infallible Word.
Yes, my redemption is at hand.
Jesus the Christ is coming!
God has a plan for our lives.
His plan will ALWAYS include, among
other things, a direct command to be a witness for Jesus Christ
to this world.
Whether at work, in the market
place, or at home, we are an ambassador for the Lord Jesus
Christ; and the message we take to the world is the Gospel.
Paul, writing to young Timothy (2
Timothy 4:7) says, “I
have fought a good fight, I have finished
my
course, I have kept the faith:”
I cannot articulate the emotions I go
through when I see the pure disregard for the Gospel and the
miraculous effect it has on sinner man.
Each day people avoid the warnings
and dive head first into the river of life only to be swept away
by their own lust.
They ultimately drown as their body
and soul are mortally wounded by the relentless buffeting
against the rocks of sin and battered by the debris of this
world.
My friend, our fight involves
warning every person that the bridge is out and that there is a
better route -- His name is Jesus.
We cannot rest.
We cannot retreat.
We must persevere as we take the
Gospel to the ends of the earth.
As Christians, we have this promise
(Romans
8:21 BBE)”
That all living things will be made free
from the power of death and will have a part with the free
children of God in glory.”
Glory for every Christian will come.
We will someday be free from the
powers of death.
Sin will cease, and evil will
forever be eradicated from our presence.
Today, we must forge on.
Our families, friends and neighbors
are all on a course.
What course are they on, and where
does it lead?
Every course has an end:
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the
judgment” (Hebrews
9:27).
|