by David Brenneman
"And they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple area, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him, and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?” But Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me.” And they began considering the implications among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But should we say, ‘From men’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all considered John to have been a real prophet. Answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither am I telling you by what authority I do these things.”" Mark 11:27-33 NASB
Even today people shake their fists at God. Some do it outright for all the world to see, others to themselves, but they still do it.
Look at how people essentially mutilate their bodies. That's them telling God that He didn't know what He was doing. That He made a mistake.
Look at the kinds of protests against Christianity. That's them raging at God by way of His elect in Christ Jesus.
Look at how people try to force their way on Christians. This too is attacking God through His people.
Jesus said that we would face such people not because of us, but because they hated Him first.
We live in just as much of a dangerous time as it was over 2,000 years ago. In many ways its much worse. Your smartphone, smart device, spies on you. There are conversations that people are having that likely someday will be used against them because of something said days, months, years ago.
We're told evil men and women, impostors, will proceed from bad to worse. These will be within the Church. We see what kind of people will be prevalent when Jesus does return.
Even in today's world people question the value and validity of following Jesus. They want proof of His power and authority to be who He is.
Even today people want Jesus to be their Genie. Want Him to be their butler. Their servant. To grant their wishes and not be told what to do or how to do it.
They want God on their terms. It doesn't work that way.
Jesus will return to remove those for whom there is no condemnation. Those who are in Christ Jesus, saved by Him through faith. Then this world will go through 7 years unlike any other time in human history. His authority to judge will be seen and felt. His authority to rule will be known. His authority as given to Him by His Father.
In Hell, every single person and demon sentenced to be there knows with absolute certainty that Jesus's power and authority are true. Nobody there can dispute it. They KNOW. Everyone who's done something to their bodies in this life will find it wasn't permanent. In Hell as it is in Heaven people are seen as God created them to be. God is the God of truth.
Even after the 7 year Great Tribulation, those who are physically alive at the time will know that the power and authority of Jesus. They will experience His rule and reign on this Earth. His authority will not be disputed.
People in this world mock the very same Jesus who gives them the very breath they breathe. Jesus still isn't willing that any should perish, that is to be eternally separated from God, but that all would come to Christ for salvation.
The world's view on sin doesn't change a thing in regards to Jesus's right as God to judge it. What God says is sin, is sin. What He says is the punishment for it, is the punishment for it. Nobody has ever nor will ever, bust out of Hell because of their desire to do so. God's rule and authority in Christ Jesus is absolute.
You and I have but one physical life to live. We, as long as we breathe, have the chance and opportunity to come to Christ for salvation. Once saved always saved. We then ought to be sharing that with others so that they too can find the freedom found in a right relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jesus, when we come to Him for salvation, forgives. Casts our sins as far as the east is from the west, remembering them no more. In Christ they are not counted against us. When viewed by the Father all that is seen of those in Christ Jesus is Jesus's righteousness. He took our place in the judgment of God on the cross. He died once for all. But we must invite Him in to be Lord of of our lives and our personal Savior. The choice is in our hands to accept the authority of Jesus Christ. To accept what He says is necessary to be saved.
Even today, as it has been since Adam and Eve, the authority of Jesus is challenged. All who try, lose. All. Not a single being, human or otherwise, has ever succeeded at removing the power or authority of God the Father, God the Son or God the Spirit.
Before all of us in this hour of our lives is the opportunity to either come to Christ for salvation or to be found living for Jesus out of appreciation for all He's done for us.
Only in this physical world are there those who challenge or fight the truth of the authority of God. Hope is only lost upon death. Once you die that's it. Choose wisely. Jesus didn't make salvation difficult. He didn't to judge the first time He was here. He will the next time He comes. Dr. John Whitcomb often quoted Paul in saying that it's a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. God's truth about Himself and you will not be changed by you.
Before you today are death and life. You can go on being stubborn about it until you die in rejecting the authority of Jesus. But you will be accepting it regardless. Upon dying you will enter into eternity the same as those who believe, only your eternity will be filled with pain and suffering as you pay for your own sins. My Dear Reader choose life. Choose to accept the authority of Jesus. Choose to ask Him to save you. It matters not what you may have done in your life, He has the authority and power to forgive you and cleanse you from all of it. You may not escape the consequences of it but you will never be alone in it.
Even today Jesus is standing at the door knocking.
Even today Jesus isn't going to bust open the door of your heart.
Even today His authority and His power and His love are waiting on you to save you.
Even today.
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