(Matthew 24:14) “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
We have been called to serve and to lay down our lives for one another; to put the needs of other before ourselves; not to sit in the seat of the scornful because bad morals corrupts good company. How will we appropriated Christ’s example in our lives if we hang out with the enemy on a social level? It is obvious that we have not been called to withdraw in a cultish fashion, but we must pick our relationships with Christ in the forefront of our minds. Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers! That is on a collective level.
We have all been given a measure of reconciliation; we must declare the gospel to all and sundry. Examine your heart, if you find you send a lot of time with the enemies of the cross and the reason for it is to present the gospel and the second coming of our Lord and Saviour, then all is well but if not...
Most if not all have heard the gospel in one form or another, one would have to venture very far from civilization to possibly find those who have not heard about the Lord Jesus Christ. If we still hanker after our old lives and their patterns, it will hinder us in our objection and that is to become more Christ minded.
Think of someone on a diet and yet they eat a slab of chocolate every night, all the good work done throughout the day, brought to nothing by a single bad choice. Time is short and we have a responsibility to preach Christ and Him crucified. I personally do not know anyone who has not heard the gospel in one form or another. Everyone I know has made a decision about Christ’s sacrifice. They are either for Him or against Him, the fence sitter are against Him! They say they are neutral but when the war breaks out they will not stand in the trenches with the true believer.
This then is my concern this morning; the time of the Lord’s second return to redeem His church is at hand, or at least the hour is eminent. How do we know this and what should we be on the lookout for? This is what the Lord taught on the subject and this is how the Apostle Matthew recorded it; “And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”” (Matthew 24:4-13)
Ask yourself this question, has the Gospel been preach throughout the whole world? Are there any unreached parts of the World where the gospel has not been preached? I personally doubt it! I may be wrong! But even the primitive bushman have been reached and some even confess Jesus as Lord. I know this to be true as I was part of a group that travelled to Botswana to present the gospel to them. I am thankful to my Lord and Saviour for opportunities like these. I miss them! Time wasted with the mundane chores of life, what a tragedy! But when we move from the realm of “with food and raiment therewith be content” into a realm of loving money with the intent of becoming rich as our goal, beware! This type of reasoning will be our demise!
“Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1Timothy 6:6-12)
Whatever our predicament, wherever we find ourselves, whatever our struggle may be, let us put aside the weight of sin that so easily beset us, let us remember that our God cares for us. Call out to Him even if you situation seems hopeless, Christ has overcome! Call on Him and find life!
Last night my Siberian husky at around 1 am was howling and making such a noise that she woke me up, and possibly half of the neighbourhood. I was up and out of bed with the intention to scold her, only to find that she had somehow ended up with a hindquarter in the pool and she was unable to free herself. She knew that her only chance of escape was to call out with urgency. It was her call that assisted in her being freed. So too must we call out with urgency to our Lord and saviour, but call we must! Remain silent and we will remain trapped.
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
Wherever you may find yourself today, God is able to free you; there is nothing or no one the Lord Jesus has not defeated.
Signing off
Tyrone
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