Preface: This is a modern church that we live within today. It is a key and unfortunate fact that we do not realize this. Oh there are sound biblical denominations to go along with liberal mainlines that no longer have any connection to the gospel of Jesus Christ...but even those faithful denominations and independent churches are subject to the age that we live....and that age is not tolerant of biblical truths such as one has to be....born again. Even the best of pastors may acknowledge that fact of salvation....but then they ignore it as they shepherd their congregation and evangelize new visitors....both of which is essentially denying that Jesus said that one must be....born again. One does not have to know the day that they were born again....and everyone's conversion is peculiar to them....and they do not even have to know the specifics of a regenerated heart.....but they must show evidence that they know that were going to hell....and rightfully so.....and that only the grace of God saved them....and that because God Himself was brutally crucified to pay for their sins! Herein is the problem....very few seem to show any awareness of this beyond a few words that they could jot down on paper in a quiz. A survey released only two days ago stated that slightly less than half of Americans are sure that God exists. All such surveys as this considered....there cannot be ten percent of Americans who are as of this time redeemed children of God....Christians in the scriptural definition! If we knew that fact alone we might make haste to make sure that we are of God's elect.
Summer Days
I don't know what to say other than it is a concern to me. After all is said and done....all the work is done....that can be done as of today....and a lifetime of experience....and forty years of Christian experiences....this is what concerns me. I enjoy a warm and sunny day in the spring just as much as anyone....and I enjoy summer days....beach vacations....and long walks in the hot sun. I have a brother-in-law....and a brother in Christ....who lives in North Dakota....and we talk every week....year in and year out...and it's painful to see him in his poor health still struggling in April with blizzards while we in Western Pennsylvania may be in the 70s.
What concerns me....and what is even more painful....is a day like today....late May....high 70s....gorgeous....but I know that evangelicals....brothers and sisters in Christ....are resting as if in a spiritual hammock...gently swaying....unaware of the tremors in the ground below.
Jesus said as we read in Matthew 12:48 and 49...."Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? And He stretched out his hands toward his disciples he said....'Here are My mother and my brothers'!" We have lost the essence of this that Jesus told us....that as close as a brother is....or even a parent....or even a child....that the reality is that our Father in heaven has chosen a people for His Son....and we who are regenerated and believe are all adopted in His family!
So as we gently sway in that hammock.....particularly on a day like this....our minds are on our immediate family....their health and their happiness....and their future as that future pertains to families of their own. Shouts of....."Life, life....eternal life!"....as we heard at the beginning from John Bunyan's Pilgrim as he ran from the City of Destruction....would be frowned upon. I can testify to that....as most everyone....also as if in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress....call to me to return from this crazed pilgrimage....return to the family....bask in the sun....enjoy the summer!
In one respect everything is indeed about family and loved ones and friends...but it is about their eternal souls....and our prayers to God that they might be saved! What kind of love leaves this up to chance? Time is of the essence. That may be just a quaint phrase....but it is also true....for we read the words of Jesus in John 9:4...."night is coming when no one can work."
So that is what is of concern to me....we have precious little time....God's Word to us makes that very clear....but we do not know it....and the lazy summer days only amplify the drone as from the cicadas....or the hum of the air conditioner....putting us gently to sleep.
Addendum: As I was reading this evening in Mark's version of the Olivet Discourse....(chapter 13)....a few verses brought this post back to mind. In case you do not know....in the Olivet Discourse....Jesus....(Matthew 24 and Luke 21 along with Mark 13)....in response to his disciples wondering when the end would be....gave quite a bit of information....and a few warnings. So keep in mind that these verses are for today. Everyone knows verse 32.....as we use it as our excuse for not studying prophecy...."But of that day and hour no one knows....".....but three verses earlier Jesus told them...."when you see these things happening....".....things that He was telling them that would happen just before He would return...."know that it is near, at the very doors." And one verse after that well known verse Jesus warned...."Take heed, watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is." In verse 35 He said..."watch therefore....lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping." (in that hammock?) Is this really that hard to understand?
