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There are so many battles going on in the earth today — battles between continents, nations, families, religions and individuals. It’s getting more intense than ever before and destroying countless human lives. The financial strain and stress like other hash afflictions is biting deeper into the center of the heart of MANY and expressing itself in their negative worldview.
Sufferings are revealing the type of treasure hidden in the heart of all human beings (Matt 12:35). It has power to disunite one’s heart— no wonder, David screamed “unite my heart to fear your name” (Ps 86:11) — this should be our cry to the Lord today.
Suffering stirs battles within the human mind. And the battle of the end times is predicted by scripture to be fiercer within the soul of those who profess Christ because, evil spirits whose end is destruction by God has come.
There has never been any time in the history of the Church that carnal minded men have swayed the people of God as much as in these times we live in. The present depressing news in the world is awakening man to the fact that we are not really in control of the world as we childishly think often times. If you are in Christ, you are blessed because you have a lively hope but please be careful that no one exploits your seeking after God to make prey of you.
Chalatants have gone out to deceive many! But as always, God clearly calls His sheep to hear, love and follow Him above all other things when His word is properly trumpeted.
Praise God for the weapon He has given all who take refuge in Christ Jesus Eph 6:10-14, 2 Cor 6:7, 10:4. The time to display openly for all to see and know that Jesus Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, Lord of lords, King of kings and Prince of peace has come closer than ever before and as such, the branches that abide in Him are going to yield all their fruit to full measure and those that abide not are going to be bundled in preparation to be burnt. Indeed, creation will see not only the glory of God which is Christ but also the manifestation that God truly delivered His remnants as sons.
Will God speak and will He not bring to pass all He has spoken Matt 5:18.
1 Timothy 4:1, clarifies that wickedness will be wide spread because of the activities of demon spirits in people’s souls and their love will grow cold towards God. This unfortunate situation will prepare the soul of many to yield a full measure of evil that represents the image of the beast (2 Tim 3:2-8). At the time these activities intensifies to its apex, many more will respond in reaction to the image of the beast and fall prey because they took their eyes (heart, soul and body) away from the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus who is the author and finisher of His stature in the sons of God.
Looking Unto Jesus Still
Let’s look at Heb 12:2, we notice the admonition to presently and continuously fix our eyes on Jesus.
First point is this: If before now you looked up to anything in addition to Christ, take away the addition and now look only to Jesus.
Second point: Identify and acknowledge that our Faith speaks of the salvation and redemption God has given us and is giving in Christ and not some tool for visualizing and claiming things.
Third point: Identify and acknowledge that there is a JOY that accompanies our salvation enjoyed only dimly now but has an immeasurable measure awaiting those who will overcome.
Fourth point: Identify, acknowledge and participate in enduring the cross (yoke-burden) of Christ which involves a lot of shame. It entails valuing the things that are not as if they are! It involves living well and strong in the kingdom of God that is not apparent.
Finally, it means trusting only in Jesus as the author (giver) and finisher (completer) of this great and wonderful salvation.
Exhibiting Christ Stature
It will increasingly become difficult to exhibit the character, image or stature of Christ in this end time when the image of the beast (spirit and life of Satan) will be more rampantly expressed especially among those whom it was least expected as those professing Christ. Because of this falling away, it will cause greater temptation to others if they fail to depend on the Holy Spirit Who leads us to the throne of grace to pray.
Let us turn our attention intently to Jude chapter 1 while keeping in mind the exhortation in (Heb 12:2). In Jude 1:21a, we read these heartwarming words “Keep yourselves in the love of God” this statement quickly calls to mind the exhortation and admonition in 1 John 4:7-8, which is the greatest description and expression of who God is in character, image or stature. And that is the sum total of who God want His Son’s (Christ) bride- YOU and I to be.
How Do We Keep Constant in the Love of God?
Again we read in Jude 1:21b, -wait, waiting, awaiting or looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Reading that takes the mind to the invitation of the Holy Spirit in (Heb 4:16). Jude makes it clear that it is not just a futuristic call but a call to be practiced as a life style now. This Life style of waiting in season and out of season is in anticipation of the mercy of Jesus. Heb 4:16 tells us that this only occurs at the throne of grace where our High priest forever after the order of Melchizedek has already prevailed for us (THE CHURCH). Therefore, the persuasion of the Spirit that we pray at all times and under all circumstances without ceasing makes more sense to those who are yielding to the admonition to keep oneself in the love of God. The revelation that mercy and grace is the mechanism that sustains in the love of God should make us reach out to the grace room of God through individual and corporate prayers more now than ever before.
We see David described as a man after God’s own heart proclaiming and speaking to his own soul in Ps 62:5 “my expectation or hope is in you alone”– what hope could he be speaking about but the hope of his salvation (Ps 62:1) which is now this gift we are enjoying in Christ Jesus our Lord to whom be praise forever more. Amen
The Spirit exhorts the body of Christ with wise counsel in Isaiah 40:31 and Rev 12:14 amplifies the truth that God who have loved and promised to save a remnant to Himself will do it without fail. But we must wait in the place of His grace that we may not fall short of it because its what ensures our possession of eternal life in Christ.
Expressing His love in this intensifying Evil Times
Making our calling and election sure: Will you and I obey the following scripture in
Galatians 6:10a, “as we have opportunity”. This will mean as the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus instructs you and I to do good to anyone in diverse occasions. We are not under the law of commandments of sin and death. So, we are not bound by expectations of others and their conception of wrong and right but the Holy Spirit guides and instructs all who are in Christ by the written word in the bible.
Galatians 6:10b, “Do good to all men” includes without excuses our enemies (Matt 5:44).
Galatians 6:10c, “and especially to those of the household of faith”. Household of faith is not speaking of those who belong to our denominational firms. It means all those who are in Christ and walk in Christ expressing the life of Christ in holy living and love. It means those with whom we fellowship in spirit and truth (1 John 1:7). Therefore, if the Lord establishes that someone is His child in our hearts, we must not discriminate against him or her because they don’t camp with us (Mark 9:38-40)
Let us conclude by hearing our Lord Himself exhort us. To do that, we turn to (Mark 9:49-50) and it reads “For everyone will be tested with fire. Salt is good for seasoning, but if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”
The gift of our salvation is not a cheap one – Jesus paid the price. Salt (The life of Christ in man) was given because Jesus Christ paid the price. Salt cannot make its self salty therefore; persevere in your saltiness wherein you have been salted. Let NO ONE deceive you with empty philosophy. Evil communication (hearkening to false doctrine) deteriorates and removes the saltiness of the salt.
We are in the time when men will look back (turn against Christ) because they have squirrel eyes instead of the single eye that looks forward unto Jesus alone. As the Lord is with all His precious ones at these times, may the precious ones increase in desire to be with Him always (Luke 9:62, Deut 6:5)
Maranathan!