The Time is Short-This World is Passing Away

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13: 35

 

If we love one another as Jesus loved us, our actions will always line up with the teachings of Christ. People will see that and want that. Our first witness is always our life. People are just looking for a reason to believe. Remember, they are saying to themselves as much as we used to, "There has to be more to life than this." You may be their only opportunity to see that there is indeed more to life than what the world offers.

 

This world is passing away and the time is short. I hear sometimes congregations applaud the notion that Jesus is coming soon, and we should be happy but what about all of the people still on the outside looking in? I think about my family and friends. I think about the key verses and realize that the Apostle Paul is warning us that we need to be even more vigilant in these end days. We must make sure our mind is focused on the things of God. We need to make sure our heart is focused on His business and we need to make sure our actions reflect our focus.

 

A character from a famous movie once said, "The greatest trick the devil even pulled was convincing the world that he doesn't exist." That is so true in modern day America. We have become distracted with the thinking, feeling and value systems of this world. Christianity has become a show to some. Motivational speakers and self help. Prosperity in the riches of this temporal world instead of in Christ Jesus. Dazzling displays of gold dust and gemstones. People more concerned with being called prophet than truly prophesying. People who want the office of Apostle without the sacrifice. The devil has pulled off this great trick. He has the world convinced that there is nothing beyond this life and that it is ok to make up your own deity to suit your needs and sins. And on the other side, God has you and me. We are not charged with fighting political battles for the Lord. We are not charged with redefining morality for a fallen world. We are simply charged with bringing the Gospel to the lost. We are charged with being salt and light to a world walking in the same darkness God once plucked us out of.

In the balance hangs the eternal destination of everyone we know and those we do not know. But for the grace of God and the attempts of someone to reach us for Jesus, we would still be on the outside looking in. Let us never forget this as we focus our minds, our hearts and our actions on God Almighty in these the last days. This world is passing away and the time is short.

 

 

Reverend Anthony Wade April 21, 2010