Isaiah 57:11-13 &19b-21 "Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and have neither remembered me nor pondered this in your hearts? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain." Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the Lord. "And I will heal them." But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
Why do people jeopardize their eternal destiny for temporal sensuality and idol pleasures? Why is there a departure from God and the
There is a War on morality between biblical standards (the Spirit) and barbarian standards (the flesh). So many today do not know the difference between what is “right” and what is “wrong”, and they do not care. God is not “real” to them. Have we gotten to the point where we tolerate that which is “wrong” in the eyes of God and no longer call sin “wrong”? Tolerance is defined as endurable liberality towards the opinions of others, while holding firmly to our own beliefs – patience towards others, which is a great virtue. But the new secular definition of tolerance, that has gripped our nation today, is to embrace the moral beliefs and opinions of others, as holding the same value and truth as your own – moral relativism. Have you noticed that this definition is not practiced by the secular society towards Christian beliefs? Today there is intolerance towards biblical morality and tolerance towards immorality and atheism. Why? 1John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” This lust finds no rest or peace, only the desire to chase after the wind to have more, achieve more, and be more. It is never satisfied - like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves (churn) up mire and mud. I’ve heard it said that tolerance is the last virtue of a declining society. How do we turn that around? Balance and stability of self, family and community are found in the Word & Will of the Creator of Heaven & Earth alone, and the study, remembrance, and devoted obedience of it. Today, the ability to shock has replaced the ability to encourage. Look at our culture today; television, movies, the foul language, gossip, the disrespect. This is the God of their making, but we don’t make God; God made us. Know that God is in control. It is the world that is out of control.
The church is the Body of Christ, where those sanctified are being equipped to live holy, forgiven, joyful and abundantly fruitful lives, guided by the Spirit. Brothers and Sisters in Christ are commissioned by the Lord to share the “good news’ of Jesus Christ by lovingly seeking, admonishing, and leading this unsaved, lecherous generation to the foot of the cross for salvation. With God’s help, we affect the lost and misguided souls; not vice-versa (read Psalm 1). The church, God’s people are to have no part in sinful disobedience or get caught up in the ways of the world. Jesus asks us (In Luke 6:46): "So why do you call me 'Lord,' when you won't obey me?” We are called to first change ourselves. Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Then, we are called to change the world. Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Are we true Disciples of Christ; identified and joined to Christ? Do we mirror and reflect the intrinsic and primary nature of our Lord; the source of light in life and peace? Or, do I dabble in discipleship?
Jesus Christ died for our offenses against our just & holy God and was raised for our justification and righteousness to give us assurance of our salvation and entrance into Heaven. Mankind is sinful and separated from God. But through faith in Jesus Christ we can know and experience God’s love and plan for our life. The God that saves me is also the God that faithfully keeps me. This is a living faith in a living Savior received. Our Redeemer lives! He rose from the dead, and so will all Believers to eternal life in Heaven. He gave His life as a ransom for many; to all who come and receive Him and trust Him as Lord (Hebrews 11:6). To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, whether you receive Him or not. How many, on Judgment day, will say: I wasted my opportunity, my life and my eternity”? The Lord wants our heart. A heart that is open to receive His blessings. God wants the “real’ you and me. We need to put God first in everything and reject desires outside the will of God. We are either mastered by the flesh (the sinful nature - Gal. 5:16-23) or mastered by Christ. We can find our sufficiency in God for purpose in our life; clothed in righteousness and guided by the Holy Spirit. God is faithful to call us into the fellowship with Christ; our King. Examine yourself and ask: Why am I doing what I am doing? What is the motive and motivation behind our actions? Is it Christ, our Lord?
Hebrews2:1-3 “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?”
Peace & rest in Christ!
Brian
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