Christian Blogs, Discipleship Encouragement and Correction
Of The Times and Time
A dear friend of mine, who has served the Lord many years in ministry to the Slavic peoples, observed that since the Reformation of the 15th and 16th centuries in Europe, those nations; such as Germany, France, Austria and England are now primarily godless. Since then, it has spread, and today, we find that same godlessness has come ashore our land, as the light of Christ is being extinguished more and more in our educational, governmental, and justice systems. Our churches too have been affected as more congregations grow apostate as the message preached from the pulpits is not of the blood and the cross but of wine and feasting at a table of our own setting and meant only to satisfy our gluttony.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not assailing the world at large for what we’re facing or even those who are just as lost but masked and preaching from our pulpits. The natural minded do not understand the things of God, but us? We were all once dead men, but I am appealing to those who profess Christ crucified and believe He is coming soon. If that is true, and I find it entirely possible, then why are we sitting back and not sharing the Gospel with our neighbors? Families? Shame on us if we ever find ourselves smugly thinking that when He comes the wicked and gluttons will get their just desserts; such as eternal gall and vinegar for drink and carrion for meat.
As for the atheist? I pity him. The separation of church and state here and now is but a small, and yes, even an ordained victory under the sovereignty of God, but how much greater will be our Lord’s victory when every knee shall bow, and the wicked shall face eternal separation from His wonderful Government; even a New Heaven and Earth? No, as Stephen, we should show forgiveness and pray that God lay not even this sin to their charge. In this precious space that He has given let us pray that God’s longsuffering may even still lead to revival. Oh, what a trembling in revival besets the hearts of those who truly behold God in all His attributes!
Still, what’s that you say? God’s judgment is our vindication? Yes, I suppose that’s true for those who suffer for the sake of the Gospel; those martyrs found waiting and given white linens beneath the throne; waiting until the fulness of man’s wickedness is complete and God’s wrath is poured out in bowls; not cups! But for us who find our finger pricked and point to it as if it was a sword thrust in our side? Please. We… I am soft, and these are times we need God’s strengthening; our faith exponentially increased. And this is my prayer for me… us today. Why? You should know that I am pleading this case for myself more than you. Why do I say that? Because here I have gone on record, and it’s a record that will forever stand even unto judgment. I now present myself to be the greater fool if I do not finish the race. But I am not alone… God has promised that He will bring what He started to completion. The question is… can I… can we… acknowledge what He started and fix our eyes on that end? If it is indeed true that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God; let us tremble as ones who escaped… knees low but shaking… as we fully realize Whom it was that we offended but yet, while we were sinners, Christ died for us.
