by David Brenneman
"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." Philippians 3:13-21.
The type and kind of example you are before men and women is either a Godly one or a sin-fallen natured one. One lived to glorify Christ the other seeks to glorify self.
Years ago I began a writing project that was set in the times before the Great Genesis Flood. Jesus said that when He returns it will be just as it was in the days of Noah. People marrying and being given in marriage. Daily life was happening. People going to work. People out possibly hunting for food for their families. People relaxing in whatever they wished to do. Nobody taking the words of Noah seriously. Nobody at all.
Then the Day set by the Father’s own authority happened. Yes I worded it that way on purpose. Because indeed Jesus said that He was in the Father and the Father is in Him. He and the Father are One. So there is that. Just like the return of Jesus will be by the Father’s own authority as well.
The rains came. Rain, we take for granted as being something normal to our lives. It wasn't the case for these people. Higher than beyond average IQ people. It's a well accepted idea that what's radically reduced human IQ has been the influence of the radiation from the sun, not to mention the heavy influence of demonic influences and our sin nature. Rain came and nobody knew what it was, only that they couldn't escape it. It just kept coming and coming. Then all the sudden they realized all too late that this was what Noah warned them about. I wonder how many billions of people died whose last thoughts were "Noah was right..."?
It's not impossible to consider that the world population was near to what it is now. It's not impossible that technology was literally lightyears ahead of even today's marvels. This is a Biblically sound premise...King Solomon wrote that there's nothing new under the sun.
My Dear Reader it's very very evident in the Scriptures that you are either living for self or living for Jesus. You serve the god you created or the God who created you.
You either set up your own altars in your life or you come to the feet of Jesus and worship Him.
The example you present will either be of a Christ-follower or a world-follower. Jesus said you cannot serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other. Cling to one and dispise the other.
Living to self rather than living to Christ is beyond polar opposites. Building a house on the rock or on the sand. The one on the rock survives the one on the sand is obliterated.
Oh you can be of that same foolish lot that used to exist before the flood and think that you don't need God. Or you may think you're just good enough and you don't need anything more than your self worth that you place upon yourself. You may indeed be one planning on raising a fist at God when His judgment comes down on you.
Or...you could be bold enough to ask Him to show you the truth. You could dare God to open your eyes...but be prepared! He will indeed at your invitation. He's been knocking at the door of your heart all your life. He's ready to show you what truth is, what true Godly love is. To take away the chains of sin that have been surrounding you that you never once acknowledged or accepted as the severe burdens they have been.
You are either a good example or a bad one...the reality is whatever example you are...it must be a Godly one or your life is a waste.
Those who truly have come to Christ for salvation are supposed to be different. Their minds should be set on things that are above and not on the things that are of this world.
They should be eagerly waiting for the Lord to return for them and all who will love His appearing.
Are you serving the god you created or the God who created you?
You see, in the days of Noah, everyone was doing what was right in their own eyes. Completely living for themselves and cared not about listening to the message of God that was the judgment against them.
The shock and horror came the instant they realized this rain wasn't stopping. Many hundreds of people or more surrounded the Ark of God and beat upon it for Noah to let them in. That now they believed him. That they get it. That they were wrong. That they wanted a second chance.
These same things will be said after the Rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Millions the world over will flock to all the church buildings across the world after the Rapture of the Church to cry out to Jesus to come back. They believe Him now. They want a second chance. They were wrong.
For those saved in Christ Jesus there's a Godly responsibility to live out their faith before men and women in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. Pointing them to Christ to the life raft of humanity to be saved as well and escape the wrath of God to come.
Every single second of every single day...millions of people come into the world.
Every single second of every single day...millions of people instantly enter Heaven or Hell.
Every single second we move closer to a day, we know not when, Jesus is going to stand up from His glorious Throne and come back to Earth in the upper Heavens to call all who were saved and are saved.
Across the world millions and millions of people will vanish. My thoughts are that the collateral damage from this will kill or severely wound billions of people. Millions of younger children and babies will probably vanish as well as they hadn't started knowing good from evil.
Governments will collapse and a new world order will dominate the world. The wrath of God will begin as foretold in the Scriptures. Yet billions more will die. Hell will be gorged with the incoming dead.
You might be laughing at this. You might even be saying that even if it were true that it's a long way off.
My Dear Reader...so did those who tried clamoring to get inside the Ark of God.
You show the world and yourself to whom you belong by your example before mankind.
Salvation in Christ Jesus is neither ludicrous nor foolishness.
You are the one to choose. Jesus's work on the cross brought you choice. Don't blow it off. Don't think you have time. Don't think that you're good enough on your own. The Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Everyone is born with sin and the death that comes to those without salvation in Christ Jesus are eternally separated in a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth forever paying for their own sins.
Jesus's example both inspired people to come and be saved...to live a new life as a follower of Jesus or it enraged them to want to kill Him because their deeds and heart were evil...His words and actions exposed their folly.
Set before you today are death and life. Set before you is the pronouncement that Jesus will return.
My hope and prayer is my example is pointing you to Jesus or back to Jesus.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
No comments:
Post a Comment