Refusing to Repent, the Unbeliever and the Believer
One of the terrible possibilities suggested by the Pharisee’s attitude in prayer is this: a person can be religious and not be right. This man’s religion became the cause of his ruin. He did everything right from a religious perspective—in fact, more than right! His problem was that he had totally excluded God from the picture of his life. His religion was all about him. Every Sunday, people attend houses of worship with other worshipers. They sing hymns, recite liturgies, pray prayers, listen to sermons. And they will leave feeling better about themselves than when they went in. Unfortunately, they will still be deeply rooted in their sins. If our religion does nothing more than make us feel better about our sin, then that religion has doomed us, not saved us. The Pharisee was a religious man who was lost in his religion. Along with everything else we learn in this story, we learn about the dangers of religious pride. And that doesn’t mean we are to go to a church where we leave feeling bad. It means we are to leave feeling good about the Savior whose mercy has saved us from our sins. We leave feeling good about God’s justification, not our own.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31
In the early years of his Christian faith, General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, the great battlefield leader of the Civil War, purposed to glorify God in all things. He tithed his income and gave up all activities that might distract his thoughts from holy things. If he was asked about the good or evil of a particular activity, he would smile and reply, “Well, I know it is not wrong not to do it, so I’m going to be on the safe side.” Many Christians today flirt with sin, hoping to stop themselves just before they cross the line. Technically, they don’t sin. But General Jackson’s attitude is the biblical one: move toward God in all things, and sin will lose its strength. In other words, better to be safe than sorry. How about you? How much of your life is given to the pursuit of the glory of God? Even in times of sickness, of testing, of suffering, of doubt—are you still committed to staying close to God and allowing Him to be glorified by being your strength? Paul said even his difficulties could “cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15). Bringing glory to God in all things is the only way to stay safe and avoid sorrow. - Dr. David Jeremiah Morning and Evening
What hallmarks the period of judgment in the book of Revelation has its roots in today's world. A religious people who might go to Church but only to find some way to feel better about themselves before they leave. An unbeliever wants to go through life feeling better about themselves without God. Not much difference between the two.
The phrase "they refused to repent of their sexual immorality" is found more than once in Revelation.
In our world today countless millions are already there. Refusing to repent of their sexual immorality. Countless millions claim to be Christians who do not consider their lives as being bad enough to be asking for forgiveness for their sins. They have idolatry in their lives. Things or even their own self image that are what's important to them. And like the Pharisee in that opening Scripture...refuse to truly repent.
Our world doesn't want to admit nor acknowledge that Scripture is right and true. In Genesis it is clearly stated that a marriage is between one man and one woman. It is clearly stated male and female He created them. There's no option for homosexuality. There's no option for gender identification. God created, God established, end of story.
In Leviticus the Lord stated unequivocally that men shouldn't lay with men as they do with women, and vise versa. Both were to be put to death. If a man or woman tried to have sex with an animal both were to be put to death. Why? To teach others not to follow in those footsteps.
Being up front with God's point of view on that didn't stop nor slow down those kinds of unrepentant people. Sodom and Gehmorrah still happened. The utter annihilation of two cities of homosexuals.
Fast forward to the New Testament. Jesus Himself comes and tries to personally teach and preach the love of God. There are many today who are practicing homosexuals who have stated clearly that had the opposite sex treated them as the love of Christ says in Scripture they never would have done what they did.
We who are Christians should at all times have a repentant heart. The world cannot until they truly come to Christ. Christians today must really look in the mirror at their lives. They entertain idols and can't see them for what they are. Read the descriptions in Leviticus as to what God calls an idol. Look at what God says is sin. It doesn't matter what you personally say is sin or isn't sin. The Word of God is what will be used at the Trial of the Unbeliever along with the Book of Life. The Word of God will be what's referred to at the Bema Seat when Believers give an account of their lives. This world had countless self-help books...millions of devotional books...none will be with you when you stand before Christ.
We aren't to go to Church to just feel better about ourselves. As Dr. Jeremiah is saying...you aren't there for that.
People spend countless wasted hours and dollars, yen and euros justifying what they buy, sell, and do in their lives. They buy trinkets and unwittingly are introducing themselves to idolatry. They read up on everything to do with something of this world yet aren't cracking open their Bibles. They worship what they are interested in. That's idolatry.
They turn their backs on the Word of God for their ability to have pleasure. Self-gratification. Justifying their lifestyle and tearing down those who don't accept it.
Both the Unbeliever and the Believer will one day stand before Christ. There will be no opportunity for a defense. Your life will be the evidence used for you or against you. Your life. Only one group will not see the Lake of Fire. The other certainly will. Those who believed yet didn't live it will be ashamed because of their life choices. But mark it well, Scripture clearly says who will NOT enter into Heaven. The sexually unrepentant will never be counted as a believer in Jesus Christ..and that's just one group. The judgments continue throughout the Tribulation and the world refuses to repent of their sexual immorality. All who do will die in their sins. All who hold to their idolatry are in the same boat. Murderers, etc. There is a specific list.
Look at your life today. Look at it from the Bible's point of view. Is there anything in your life that is holding a place in your heart instead of Jesus?
If you are reading this and haven't come to Christ, realize that the time is coming to a close where you will be able to find Salvation in Christ in time to escape the Tribulation. Is having your way more important than facing the judgment of God?
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