Meditate on this!
There is a song we sometimes
sing… “The King is coming” it is a personal song. One of personal fellowship
with Jesus! People “people of faith in Christ can sing this song with fervor
because of a one time event in the history of mankind that even people who have
no faith acknowledge as true. The King on the cross is coming again. John
19:17-24
People
from all cultures face persecution for faith in Jesus Christ and most of the
persecution does not come from people who are defined as irreligious. The fact
is that many persecutors are involved in religions or cults that can be
described as… “antichrist” movements. These efforts are well organized and the
leaders have dedicated followers who willing die for the terror inflected. In
Solo, Central Java a church on Sunday, September 25, 2011 suffered the attack
of a suicide bomber. The only person to die in that blast was the bomber. Yes thirty
people were injured with about half hospitalized for a few days. People of such
strong conviction are adulterers and murderers. Now you say… just wait a
moment, I see the fact that one is murderous, how does the adulterous person
fit in. The prophets of the antichrist speak falsely and teach empty oracles.
Jeremiah 23:9-15. Most religion (if not all) does not follow the command to “love
your neighbor as yourself, even your enemy” as defined by James 1:27 and
commanded by Jesus in Matthew 5:38-48. Pastor Setiawan of this church in Java
looked at the only dead body in the church and felt the compassion of the LORD.
My thoughts go to our local churches and I think… what if? What if this were to
happen in our churches, I think we are not far from this reality. The battle is
the LORD’s is so easy for us to say, but when we evaluate the evidence of the
aftermath; will we be willing to express the love of Christ for the antichrist?
1 John 2:18-23.
James
4
Scripture,
both the Old and New testaments teach us that to have a working friendship with
the world is too be in opposition to God. In truth the Holy Bible teaches us
the following. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone
loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the
world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is
not of the Father but is of the world. The world is passing away, and the lust
of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17.
James
4:4 – this statement of James parallels the passage above of 1 John, so if it
is your desire to agree with the ways of the world you become an enemy of God. Notice
how the apostle Paul puts this thought in perspective. We need to recognize
that we are in a Spiritual war, the apostle says, and you will need to read on
your own. 2 Corinthians 10:1-6.
James
4:5 – I have not met one verse of scripture over the last thirty five years
that relates one vain message to the hearing ear. Of course scripture does talk
about vain thoughts and vanity on all levels but the message is not vain to the
ear that hears the Spirit, expressedly say. “He who hears let him hear what the
Spirit is saying to the churches” The Book of Revelation and the gospels utilize
this statement and we would do well to listen. God the Holy Spirit yearns for
us to be sanctified. Have you felt His jealous desire for you? If you have ever
been the victim of adultery, then you might know how God feels about your
friendship with the world around you.
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