January 29 2018 – Click here to listen
I sadly shake my head most mornings as I read vile attack after attack on most anything the Bible declares to be righteous. It’s an oxymoron really. Social and morality declines aside, our country has entered an era of prosperity after years of economic devastation. People are working again, including record numbers of minorities such as blacks and Hispanics, ISIS has been wiped out in Syria, illegal immigration is down, welfare rolls are being significantly reduced, and America is becoming energy independent, and so on.
Logic dictates that we should be thankful, but the illogical rage continues. Rational people would seemingly applaud our improving situation, but no, the hate seems to be intensifying.
I was reading the Bible this morning in Mark chapter 13. Jesus had a lengthy response to some of His disciples asking about His return, and He described a scene that is bone chilling of how brothers would betray each other to death, fathers will betray children and vice versa and He stated, “and everyone will hate you because you are Mine.”
I hope you don’t think this prophecy isn’t being fulfilled today. Think again, the number one persecuted people group in the world today is Christians. Here in the United States, anti-Christian sentiment is at an all-time high.
Jesus said something that that is quite profound in this chapter. First, He warns that it will worsen, stating that His followers will be dragged before the courts and beaten in synagogues and churches and accused before governors and kings of being His followers. This is happening in many countries all over the world right now.
Then He says something incredible:
“This is your OPPORTUNITY to tell them the Good News. And the Good News must first be made known in every nation before the end of time finally comes.”
So as we are being beaten, and killed as martyrs, Jesus said it provides an opportunity for us to witness to the lost. He tells us when we are arrested and stand trial that we are not to worry about what to say, that those words will be given us by the Holy Spirit.
As I observe Christians who are reluctant to speak out against what our society is becoming, I wonder how in the world they will tell anyone about the Good News when things really get bad and begin to deteriorate, and they face persecution as described by Jesus.
There is yet time. I urge you not to be a CINO – Christian in name only – We all have opportunities to tell others about the Good News of Jesus Christ. Remaining silent when we have our opportunity spells out the depth of our faith and sets those who are too ashamed to declare the Gospel up for discipline and punishment.
It is not that difficult to tell someone about the love of Jesus. I can tell you from many years of personal experience, telling someone about Jesus is appreciated far more than unappreciated and the more you do it, the more you will enjoy it.
Jesus said in the Gospel of Mark that, “Heaven and earth shall disappear, but my words stand forever.” That means we should listen to Him.
Christ expects men should be earnest in sharing their faith. He hurls His complete disgust at those who are “lukewarm”, neither hot nor cold. He talked about CINO’s in Revelation at length and a severe punishment is threatened. We must be very careful not to cheat our own souls! There are many in hell, who once thought themselves on the way to heaven. Christ lets us know where we might have true riches.
We should pray earnestly for the teaching of His Holy Spirit, to take away our pride, prejudices, and worldly lusts and give us a new focus on telling the Good News and being a faithful witness, no matter what Hollywood or high society might think. Remember always, those made like to Christ in his trials, shall be made like to him in glory.
Rev. 3;18
I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other. So because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of My mouth! You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent . . .