So, my question to you, “What will it take for you to choose life in Christ?”
I have been thinking about the human condition – and from the gospel of Matthew, the words “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” These words come to mind and linger. They are so very true. Well, who is Jesus?
That is the question you all, every single one of you needs to ask yourself each and every day. Yes, make it the foundation of each day, each breath.
It was 2020 when Bill Gates opened his mouth and told the peoples of the world, essentially, that all would need to be certified for compliance with vaccination requirements – for instance in order to travel (see also). Did you see that? What did you think of that? The dividing line is a stark precipice.
Addendum: I am not satisfied for this to be stated with (an apparent) casual indifference on my part. My tone is a sentiment offered as a reflection of my own heartache, yet it is a thing by which I confidently expect a great many to relate, to find comfort in the sharing. Still, that is not the point to be made – the point is to draw closer to Jesus, to find life in, by, and through him.
We will all, we need to enter into this period, this transition from chaos to reason, from darkness to light. God is not doing anything wrong. We must see just what it is we are doing, for we are not simply casually consuming the planet itself, but one another. Yes, we are those effecting the plot – if not through embrace, through acceptance. Jesus did not accept that any would perish, any but those who reject his supreme offer of himself in order to save anyone, an offer limited only by the intransigence our hearts.
But the choice is yours, and the matter is everything, every little bit of us.
In the Old Testament there is a story, recorded in 2 Samuel about the census of Israel, regarding the works of those grasping the reins of leadership. Not in Christ’s day, of course – a millenium prior in the time of King David. I’ve pondered the following reflection, consideration of it, and I always wonder what does it mean to be a citizen, part of a community?
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/davids-census
I have spent a great deal of time pondering the scripture – the gospel – through this lense: the problem of ‘divine culpability’. Try it! For clarity, I am saying each must satisfy for themselves that God is not guilty of wrongdoing.
To compare pain seems impossible – it is utterly subjective, and yet God knows.
In contrast with the opinion of a relative who stated that he was waiting for God to apologize: I have been sinned against as well, but I am also guilty of sin.
My response to them and to every individual: love is worth it – the questions, the confrontations, the struggles. Each of us is closely acquainted with the cost of sin, of wrongdoing – and yet oftentimes it is our very own.
Our minds, our lives and liberty are a gift and an obligation. God obligated Himself in and to His world, so please don’t begin to say, “I don’t deserve this.”
In response – as one who has exceeded their limits of tolerance more than once – let me offer to each of you, simply, that I have been a believer as long as I can remember, and I did not come from a ‘christian home’. So let me make my point clearly and for the record, for whoever shall read it: “I do.”
I do deserve this. For balance, for our examination of God’s word – both His judgment and His grace I also refer to the following for consideration:
“Well good for you,” I imagine hearing some respond. Fine…
No, not fine at all! My point is simply that I know that I deserve this and far worse. Yes, far far worse.
Well, why?
I betrayed Jesus. I am like Judas in that I have placed the demands of my own ego and self worth ahead of fidelity in helping the gospel to grow.
But I am not alone in this. Not at all. Don’t you dare abandon your loved ones, or anyone. The greatest thing any of us can do is pray, pray sincerely.
And yet I long not simply to live but to live for him. Oh, God help me for, with and by him, please please forgive me and help me to serve in this time of hell’s seeming dominion. The reality of this across the generations is why the gospel spread around the world – again and again – until today.
Again, the promise of life after this life versus statements that ‘such is fake news‘ – which is authoritative? Really, God’s promise is all that matters.
Amen.
People have ‘just wanted to live’ – yet not just well, but selfishly – better than the others. It is in this context many have been bombarded with prosaic ‘sermons’ and lectures on the goodness, the necessity of death. Yet the gospel, the life of Christ unambiguously declares to us that death is, yes, the penalty (the cost) of disobedience, but more fundamentally that death itself is the enemy. Paul’s letter to the church in Rome … this comes to mind. Indeed, death had the final word until Christ.
He is that special – so, so special…
Now in the seeming aftermath of The Great Reset, what is there but opportunity? For starters, there is unrelenting climate change propaganda. Let me silence the poised crescendo of verbal lashings: we have made a mess, but that mess is what we have done to our neighbors, our communities – what we are yet doing to ourselves and to one another…
… not CO2. ‘Well, but, I’ve heard…’ (!!!)
It’s lies. But it is too late. No one is fixing anything. Climate will be why people need 15 minute cities, digital currency, and yes, perpetual war.
Yes, we have smashed so, so much. And we are still at it. So what’s new?
Well, all of the news of breakthrough in deciphering biological systems governing lifespan – for the lifespans of those who crush the rest of us. Hence the necessity of limiting human lifespan in the first place. Longevity – life itself – is utterly contingent upon the golden rule, for without it life is in constant peril – whether there is abundance, or not.
‘This’ is why there is no salvation in any other. No one, absolutely no one can begin to fix this. From the crown to the cleric the stage is beyond set …
… to kill anyone who will not comply. Nothing will change it, only Jesus! This is how the kingdom of heaven spreads: by becoming followers of, faithful to the Lord Jesus. To overcome by living in, by, and for him.
He died for us. He – died – for us.
I am not intellectually distraught that I deserve death. Of course I don’t want to die, but nothing you or I want will change outcomes in the future any more than it has changed the past. Nothing, period … except the love of God.
The whole purpose of life to is to please, to embrace, to bless Almighty God. Oh how youth and ‘vigor’ rail against such notions. Love your neighor as yourself – did they have cause and opportunity to celebrate expression of liberty at all, whether for good or ill? Well, for good is a sacrifice, and one uniquely worth it – but for ill is what humanity has chosen, time and again.
‘Never again …’ We don’t hear those words any more. Instead, ‘first comes Saturday, then comes Sunday.’ Choose Christ, above the life that is now.
Well, here it is. Humble yourself, learn about the God of Israel through his gracious son Jesus Christ. There is nothing more important. Do it now!
Please.
‘… but, but, but…’ Oh I am so sick of those words and their equivalent.
Time is up, people. You, we are going to die, one way or the other – no one doubts this. The question is what – it is whom you will serve. Well… Myself!
It will never happen. And if you think about it, that is beyond equitable.
In order to walk among us, as his friends and as his family, He gave up everything. He suffered by – and yet for – everyone. It’s time to choose.
The final words, appropriate in gravity, and yet for their benevolence:
Please, for God knows – please pray for my son. Yes, and for all children.
… and that’s all …
End Times Prophecy 