In the
previous post we identified the times in which we live as ripe for judgment and
that set the stage for expecting the rapture to happen soon. In this post we will focus more on how to
“occupy” until the Lord comes to take His followers home. I have heard the section of scripture known
as “The Sermon on the Mount” described as the constitution for “God’s Kingdom,”
a term that describes those of us who by faith have accepted the gift of
salvation made possible through the willing sacrifice and resurrection of His
Son Jesus and serve Him as Lord. It is
from this scripture that we learn how best to “occupy” our time as we patiently
await His return.
This sermon
begins by pronouncing a blessing on those whose lives reflect attitudes that
should characterize the life of every believer.
It begins with a blessing on the poor in spirit. Only those who are poor in spirit are willing
to humble themselves before God as sinners in need of a Savior. Recognizing that you are poor in spirit leads naturally into
developing the character traits that follow:
mourning over sin, meekness, a hunger for righteousness, showing mercy,
having a pure heart, being a peacemaker and being willing to suffer for faith
in Christ. Once we recognize the great
sacrifice that was required to provide for the forgiveness of sin, it should
not only make us grieve and mourn over our own sin, but also over the sins of
others.
Blessing is also pronounced on those who are
meek. The Greek for “meek”
defines it as being humble; Webster defines it as “Mild of temper; not easily
provoked or irritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful.” One can only hope to have such an attitude
toward others when one realizes one’s own sins and weaknesses before God and
how God has responded to him/her with love, forgiveness and patience. I often have to remind myself when horrified
at the actions of others that but for the grace of God it could be me.
Blessing is also promised
to those that hunger and thirst after righteousness. This characteristic is evidenced in our lives
when the desires of our heart
are centered in His desires for us as revealed in the scripture. God promises that those with such a hunger
and thirst will be filled—abundantly supplied and satisfied.
Those who have been filled
with righteousness will find themselves showing mercy to others in like manner
that God has shown Himself merciful to them.
I believe that showing mercy leads to one being pure in heart, the next
attitude listed. To be pure is to be clean and free from moral
defilement, to be innocent and genuine. This speaks to me of our motives. It’s ministry or service without
expectation. It’s kindness for the sake
of being kind and sacrifice from a heart of love.
The next blessing is
pronounced upon those who are peacemakers.
A peacemaker is one who seeks
to bring about reconciliation where there is division and promotes unity in
hopes of preventing division to begin with.
It’s interesting that this trait follows that of having a pure heart,
because I think only those with pure hearts can really bring about peace. Their interest is other-centered rather than
self-centered. In context with the rest
of the passage, I would think that the focus of these efforts would be toward bringing
about reconciliation between sinful man and his Savior.
The last two characteristics the Lord Jesus
extols are very thought-provoking in light of the times in which we live.
Matthew 5:10–12 “Blessed are they which are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for
great is your reward in heaven:
for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
As the
morals of the world continue on a downward spiritual spiral to reflect the
wicked desires of man in rejection of the will of God as revealed in His word,
it is becoming ever more apparent that those who are true followers of Jesus are
being categorized as intolerant and haters.
Bible-believing Christians are being pushed to compromise their beliefs
and accept the laws of men even when they contradict the truth of God’s
word. Scripture is clear in teaching
that when we are put in the position of choosing to obey the laws of men or of
God, there is only one right choice.
Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Though
the government in America today still allows freedom of worship, evidence is
emerging revealing that the privilege of living according to a biblical mandate
is in great jeopardy. The ball started
rolling when the law was passed forbidding prayer in the public school system
in the early 1960s. The attack continued
to gain momentum with the 1973 ruling on Roe vs. Wade that resulted in the
legalization of the murder of millions of innocent humans. It has gotten to the
point that just recently a Christian couple from New Mexico was convicted by
the state supreme court of violating the human rights law for refusing to
photograph a same-sex commitment ceremony.
The Obamacare law is framed to penalize Christian business owners such
as Hobby Lobby for refusing to participate because it includes a provision that
supports abortion. The Governor of Virginia recently forced five
State Police Chaplains to resign for praying in the name of Jesus. Military chaplains face being charged with a
hate crime if they teach the scriptural position on homosexuality. The Army recently classified Evangelical
Christians and Catholics as religious extremists. A man in Phoenix, Arizona, spent 60 days in
jail for holding home bible studies; they have determined that homes and barns
do not comply with the construction codes required for such use and that home
bible studies are a violation of zoning ordinances. A couple in Marietta Georgia was forbidden to
hold a bible study consisting of 6-8 people in their home since that
constituted a church and violated zoning laws.
College professors have lost their jobs for not fully supporting
evolution. San Antonio recently passed
an ordinance that in essence prohibits Christians from being active in city
government or being eligible for city contracts.
Christians,
though grieved by the increasing restriction of our liberties and the thought
of coming persecution, should not be surprised at how events are
unfolding. All is happening as foretold
in God’s word. Paul stated it most
clearly in his letters to Timothy.
1 Timothy 4:1–2 “Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
2 Timothy 3:1–5 “This know also,
that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to
parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false
accusers, incontinent [without self-control],
fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers
of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying
the power thereof: from such turn away.”
2 Timothy 3:12–13 “Yea, and all that
will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
It is
true that since the inception of the church, there have been many Christians
who have suffered persecution at the hands of evil men—many of whom claimed to
be acting in the name of God. It is the
truth declared in verse 13 that stands out—“evil men and seducers will become worse and worse.” The goal of these wicked people is to keep
people from the truth through the use of deception. I think it is very interesting to note that
many of those working deception are doing so because they are themselves
deceived.
True
followers of God are going to face persecution not only from unbelievers, but
also by those claiming to be part of the church that are really impostors and
deceivers. These impostors and deceivers
have themselves been deceived because they have chosen to reject the truth of
God’s word. They have succumbed to
perverting the truth of the word of God to present a message that appeals to
the “itching ears” of their listeners and pads their bank accounts.
2 Timothy 4:2–4 “Preach the word; be
instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they
shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
2 Peter 2:1–3 “But there were false prophets also among the
people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall
bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways;
by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And
through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you….”
It will
eventually get so bad that family members will betray one another to the
governing authorities.
Luke 21:16–17 “And ye shall be
betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be
put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”
Every
child of God should take great comfort from the words of Jesus as He taught
about the signs of His second coming.
Luke 21:28 “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up,
and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.”
I pray
earnestly for His soon return, for there to be peace in Jerusalem and that His
will be done on earth as in heaven.
Until that time I will continue to pray that my family will stand strong
in their faith in God and in His word. I
pray that we will be servants that will honor and glorify Him by how we live—how
we “occupy” until Jesus returns to take us home to the Father. I will also continue to pray for all that
need to come to Jesus in faith and repentance—especially those I love.
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