The Word is life. The Word is joy. The Word is hope and help. How should those who have received any portion of all that keep it to themselves?
We moan and groan at the display of wickedness among men. Have we discharge our duty to share what we know?
The world hates God because it is blind. A simple fearless word to them can begin the opening of the eyes. But if we keep our mouths shut, can we truly say we see? If we live in fear have we appropriated grace?
For some odd reason people do not consider their place in heaven. I don’t know what people believe concerning this. For I cannot recall anyone ever speaking of it.
The Lord speaks of the rewards of heaven as being somewhat equal. But there are places to be given. There are honors to be handed out.
Some will be given great things. Others will receive the barest of necessities. There is a greatest and a least.
When the unsaved are judged we are told there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. They will perceive what is to be gained yet see nothing for themselves. And the Lord speaks of surprises even among his people.
When many see what is received by those who have been diligent in the gospel, they will be their breast with regret. Though they are given eternal life and the joy that accompanies such a gift, their loss will be appreciable. And they will know the fault is theirs.
Let this message Sink in. Many will poo fa this as opinion. Still many others will give this no consideration at all. The sad thing is none of them will debate with me.
As a man sows, so shall he reap. Those who join in the Battle of the cross are bound to receive a proper reward for their service. Judge for yourself, what reward might there be for simply sitting on the sidelines and watching the blood flow?
There are millions of lies we are taught to believe in this world. All of them have their basis in deserving.
We deserve freedom. We deserve to be wealthy. We deserve healthy children. We deserve to retire and enjoy our old age. We deserve to be accepted by God when we die, after all he make us. And among the most damaging is this: We deserve to die peacefully, in our own bed and in our old age.
So when death comes unexpectedly the people are outraged. Why are they upset? Bereavement is expected. But pointing blame on someone else, particularly at God, finds its roots at a lack of understanding and believing in lies.
Instead of wasting precious time and energy trying to stave off death, men would do far better to prepare. Accidents happen. Hearts stop beating. Illness takes anyone it pleases. And the murderous nature of man does not ask permission.
You would think men would give this serious consideration. You would think they would turn to God in their youth and in their health. But this is rarely the case.
More often people use their youth and their health to prepare for great wealth and longevity of life. If they think of death it is because it happens to someone else. Isn’t this ironic?
God takes souls when it pleases him. I have never heard of a case where he appeared to someone and asked permission. When our turn comes it is often swift and utterly devastating.
I’m not highlighting anything new here. Contrary to popular belief, death has been around for a long long time. It is really good at what it does. And it never says, “I’m sorry”.
Those who died unreconciled to God, remain that way for eternity. Now you may think that’s rather pompous of me, to exclude so many worldly ideals. What does it matter what you think?
God has sent His Son. That very message has been around for a long long time. You’ve likely heard of it. And you’ve likely covered your ears.
Do you really think your ignorance of the will of God in Christ will nullify your condemnation for eternity? “I didn’t know!” Yes you did. You simply chose not to acknowledge. Pleasure seemed to be far more fun.
Who was Polly that they should associate her name with such a horrible condition? She certainly must have been one nervous individual. I doubt you would have had trouble pointing her out in a crowd.
Are you one of those who worry about everything all the time? Can you name one miracle that you have brought about by worrying? Likely not.
More than likely, the only thing your worry has established is some sort of illness; fibromyalgia, ulcers, nerve bumps, hair loss, constant anger, some kind of drug addiction, and the like.
You learned to ride a bicycle; sometime after you had learned to walk, of course. You learn to read, or you wouldn’t have a clue what I’m saying. Overtime you built a fair vocabulary. You learned some social graces (Even if the only place they are acceptable is some sleazy bar.)
If you learned all that, then you can learn to stop worrying. Especially if you begin to believe the gospel of Jesus, the Holy Son of God.
The gospel is important to everyone, for it is the key to eternal life. But not just so we can float on a cloud in play a harp. The gospel is important for the sake of righteous living, in eternity and now.
By the gospel my conscience is clean. Not that I am without sin. But his forgiveness is real enough to make a drastic difference in those who believe; they experience a peace they can’t define, they’re not easily rattled by danger, and they usually sleep pretty good.
By the gospel I am taught. Not only do I learn what God expects, but the Holy Spirit reminds me moment by moment. By this I have an opportunity to do what is right all day long.
By the gospel I am told that God will take care of me. So as I find myself able to believe, I find worry and anxiety dissipate rather quickly. It is impossible for God to lie. And he sealed his promise with his Son’s Holy Blood. I’m thinking I’m standing on pretty firm ground when I believe he’ll take care of me.
And most importantly, by the gospel I know I will have confidence before the Holy One when I leave this place. Now some folks might not put that together. So for the sake of the few I will explain.
If you wear anxiety like a warm coat in the winter now, what do you think you will do when you stand before his blazing glory without the confidence of faith? How will you believe your sins are forgiven? How will you be sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?
Believe in the gospel and you will find yourself living at peace. Choose to remain in disbelief, and you choose to live with in the negative consequences of anxiety. And by that you are threatened to bare those consequences for eternity.
I do hope this has been helpful to at least one if not a few.
P.S.
The word “efficacy” is often used in medicine. By that word doctors, define the power of a medicine or procedure to do what it’s supposed to do. I tell you that the efficacy of Christ Jesus and His gospel are perfectly powerful.
The human race races. Listen to the cheers of the crowd. “Be first, conquer, achieve, amass, gather and enjoy!”
To what do they compare victory? Do they look at what they did not have when they were born? Do they look at what they now have and consider it victory?
This is not the measure of victory that God perceives.
God is first. He has set his Son as first. His son has conquered. His son has achieved all that can be achieved. He has amassed all righteousness; for that is what he loves. Even now he gathers men from among the seed of men. And he is eternally anointed with the oil of joy from the living God.
How does the race of men compare? They will have what is not theirs to keep. They will have what is not theirs. But he keeps because he desires his Father’s Holy will.
Will you continue in the race of men? Or will you relinquish your rights to gain what cannot be lost?
There is a race that requires no strength. It does not hope for the things of this world. The world will hold what is of the Spirit in great contempt. But all things of flesh rot and fade away.
All the while men clamor to gain, heaven moves forward in true joy. Beyond the grasp of man, beyond the vision of eyes, beyond the hearing of ears, the righteous worship God. And it will not be taken away from them, for by the strength of Jesus the Christ they have overcome.
Who will cease the frenzied race? Who will grasp with their soul what can never be taken away? He is willing to give. Who is willing to receive?
Many have painted the gospel through the perspective of man’s compassion. They focus on our need for hope, joy and compassion. As is reasonable they see the suffering of man and turn the gospel toward them as a solution.
The broken hearted, the humble, and those discarded in this world, may benefit greatly from this purpose of delivery. It is to these that the gospel of Jesus Christ finds the greatest effectiveness. These perceive the need. These are most pleased to hear it. We remember it is written he who is forgiven much loves much. And the Lord came to seek and to save those who are lost.
But that message does little to the man who is proud or rich in the things of this world. Such men perceive a compassionate message as a license to sin. They may well see the love of God as a weakness to be exploited.
There is another view of the gospel. Those who are hungry for righteousness and desire what is good will find this other side of the gospel in due time.
While the gospel speaks strongly of compassion, tenderness, mercy and forgiveness, it also speaks strongly about the judgment to come. The first is more pleasant to deliver. And the relief it brings is sweet. While the second is more like serving someone a glass of pure vinegar. It is a severe test of a man’s desire.
Many preach the sweetest part of the gospel. But let us not lay aside the severity of the coming judgement. We do no one any favors by sugar coating the Word of God.
We: Live, Die, Face Judgment. Jesus or die twice.
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