Wednesday, November
19, 2014, 10:27 p.m. – the Lord Jesus put in mind the song, “For Our Nation.” Speak, Lord, your
words to my heart. I read 1 Peter 4
(ESV).
The Same Way
Since
therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of
thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to
live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for
the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles
want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking
parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you
do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they
will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For
this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though
judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way
God does.
Jesus Christ suffered and died on a cross to destroy sin. In
fact, he who knew no sin became sin for us so that, in him, we might become the
righteousness of God (See: 2 Co. 5:21). Jesus suffered and died on the cross so
that we might be delivered from the penalty of sin, and so that we might have
eternal life with God in heaven, but he also died so that we might die to sin.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and
live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Pet. 2:24). He also
died so we would no longer live for ourselves but for him who died for us (See:
2 Co. 5:15). This was his thinking (his attitude). For the joy of our
redemption he endured the cross. He humbled himself and became obedient to
death on a cross (See: Phil. 2:8).
So, we are to arm (equip; ready) ourselves with the same way
of thinking. This means that when we come to faith in Jesus Christ or as soon
as we come to the realization of what it truly means to have faith in Jesus
Christ, we must die with Christ to sin so that we can live and walk daily in
his righteousness and holiness. We should cease from living the rest of our
lives in the flesh and for our sinful passions and desires, but instead we
should live for the will of God. We don’t do this in our human flesh, though, but
in the power and working of the Spirit within us, as we cooperate fully with
that work. This is the essence of the gospel, and it is the essence of our
salvation. Faith in Jesus Christ means we die with Christ to sin and self, we
are transformed in heart and mind of the Spirit of God, and we now walk in the
Spirit in the holiness and righteousness of God (See: Ac. 26:16-18; Ro. 6-8;
Gal. 5:15; Eph. 4:17-24; Tit. 2:11-14 & 1 Jn. 1-5).
Yet, this is not what is being taught in the majority of
churches here in America. The gospel message is being diluted to make it more
appealing to human flesh so as not to offend the people of this world. As well,
the gospel message has been altered to make it more acceptable to people and to
even excuse away willful sin or to cover it up with lies. They teach grace and
faith absent of the cross of Christ in the life of the believer. So, the new
convert has the idea that he or she can continue in willful sin and still have
his or her ticket into heaven guaranteed. Added to that, they encourage new
“believers” to tell themselves that God is happy with them all the time, and
that he is always pleased with them even when they choose to rebel against him
and to indulge themselves in willful sin. This sears their consciences so that
they don’t turn from sin, but they continue to claim to have fellowship with
God while still walking in darkness.
So, it is not just the unsaved of this world who malign
(heap abuse on) us because we believe what the scriptures teach about holy living,
and because we no longer participate in living for sinful passions and desires.
It is the ungodly and worldly church which is persecuting those who believe
what is being taught here. They are rejecting, mocking, slandering, and kicking
to the curb those who put these truths into practice in their lives, and who
teach others that true faith means death to sin and living for righteousness.
Yet, these persecutors will have to answer to God for their mistreatment of the
Lord’s servants.
At Hand
The
end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for
the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since
love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without
grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good
stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of
God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in
order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him
belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
These words were written a very long time ago, so when the
writers of scripture wrote that the end was near (at hand) what they meant, I
believe, was that it was imminent, i.e. it was approaching. Certainly none of
us knows if we have tomorrow, so we should live each day as though it could be
our last. We should not live our lives on this earth thinking that life will
just continue on as it has, especially knowing what scripture teaches with
regard to the last days before the return of Christ. We should always have
eternity in view, and we should live our lives daily with that view in mind.
I see so many who profess the name of Jesus living no
differently from the people of this world or with little differentiation at
all. We live in a “Me-Me” society here in America where so much is about
pleasing ourselves, but not about pleasing God. Entertaining and being
entertained seems to be of central focus, not only in our homes, but also in the
church. So many Christians, when they gather together, talk about anything or
everything but the Lord. The church leadership only helps to facilitate this
mindset by watering down the gospel and by focusing so much attention on
attracting the world to their meetings.
Therefore, God is calling out to the church here in America
to “Wake up!” He is reminding us that we need to have the same attitude of
Christ about our sin and that we need to have the same thinking as Christ about
why he died, which was to deliver us out of slavery to sin and to free us to
walk in his holiness. We need to take our sin seriously, and we need to take
God seriously and to honor, respect, value, reverence and obey him. When this
says that love covers over a multitude of sin, this is not speaking of masking
sin, ignoring sin, placating sin or dismissing it as no big deal. To have our
sins covered means to have them forgiven and for us to be delivered out of the
bondage of living for sin and self.
The Fiery Trial
Beloved,
do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as
though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you
share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory
is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed,
because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you
suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone
suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that
name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it
begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel
of God? And
“If
the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the
sinner?”
Therefore
let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful
Creator while doing good.
Scripture teaches us that God loves us, and because he loves
us he disciplines us. He disciplines us and he reproves us and he chastises us
so that we may share in his holiness. “For the moment all discipline seems
painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of
righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (See: Heb. 12:11). So, if
you are being told that God will never rebuke you, then please read this again.
God will discipline us so that we may grow in him, but he will also correct us
when we go astray and we refuse his voice and we return to living for sin and
self, because he wants us to return to him (See: Rev. 2-3). The church in
America is in sad shape. She resembles the church in Laodicea spoken of in Rev.
3. God wants to revive his church, but she is not responding to his calls to
repentance and to renewed faith. I believe we will have to endure some
difficult times ahead for us to see revival in this nation of ours. Don’t wait!
Obey today!
For Our Nation /
An Original Work / September 11, 2012
Bombs are bursting.
Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently
calling
You to follow Him in
all ways.
Trust Him with your
life today.
Make Him your Lord and
your Savior.
Turn from your sin.
Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of
your sin;
Cleanse your heart,
made new within.
Men betraying: Our
trust fraying.
On our knees to God
we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us
answers
That are only found in
Him.
God is sovereign over
all things.
Nothing from His mind
escaping.
He has all things
under His command,
And will work all for
good.
Jesus Christ is gently
calling
You to follow Him in
all ways.
Men deceiving: we’re
believing
In our Lord, and
interceding
For our nation and its
people
To obey their God
today.
He is our hope for our
future.
For our wounds He
offers suture.
He is all we need for
this life.
Trust Him with your
life today.
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