These are very difficult and perilous times. I believe that we are living in those perilous times in which the Apostle Paul wrote about in his letter to a young Timothy who needed encouragement. We all need an encouraging word especially in times such as these. We can grow so very dry and lukewarm if we are not careful. We can become hardened against the truth of who God is when we allow all the tribulation going on around us distract us from our relationship with God.
The world is in trouble, but there is good news that needs to be heard and told. The Church is not dead and God is not dead. The Lord is still calling people to Himself and He is using believers in Jesus Christ to do just that by proclaiming the truth of the Gospel.
The first part that we need to understand is the truth about you and I. We have missed the mark when it comes the reaching the standards that God has set up. He is Holy and no sin can ever enter into His presence. We have all sinned and fallen short of His high standards. There is nothing we can do on our own to earn our way into God's favor. We aren't good enough on our own to get into Heaven or even receive forgiveness of our sins. We are sinners. That includes myself. I am the least of all believers in Christ Jesus and I can't save myself. I am the worst sinner I know.
God in His great mercy and love did something wonderful for you and I. God loves us so very much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth to live a perfect sinless life. Jesus was tempted just like you and I are, but He resisted the temptations. He never sinned. He went obediently to the Cross and gave up His life for you and I. Jesus shed His blood and died for our sin debt. On the third day Jesus rose to life and He is right now at the right hand of the Father interceding in prayer for you and I.
We must come to the realization that we are sinners and can't save ourselves. Then we must go to the Lord Jesus in prayer and receive Him as our Lord and Savior. We place our faith in Jesus and that is how we are saved. Everyone on our planet needs Jesus. The Church's mission is still the Great Commission which is to make disciples of all nations. We do that by proclaiming the Gospel and helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Over the years the Church has become worldly and lost interest in proclaiming the Gospel and helping people grown in faith in Jesus Christ. It is time for the Church (all believers in Christ Jesus) to WAKE UP and proclaim the truth to all that will hear. Time is running out for our nation and our world.
One day Jesus Christ will come back as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He will Judge the world in His Righteousness. Those whom have received Him as Lord and Savior will have an eternal Home in Heaven with Jesus and those who reject Him will be placed in a literal hell outside the presence of Almighty God for all eternity.
Those of us that already know Jesus must cling to the hope that we have in the Lord Jesus and keep telling others about Jesus. Let's run the race with our eyes on Jesus and try to bring people to faith in the Lord.
Lord,
I have failed you so often and I am sorry. I have sinned against You time and time again. I have been lukewarm and aloof at times. Please forgive my sins against You. Help me to be about Your business. Revive Your Church by starting in my heart first. Help me to do my part to tell others about Jesus. I can't do this on my own. I need Your help, O Lord. I pray for this world to repent of it's sins and turn their hearts to You my Lord and my God. In Jesus Name, Amen.
