Craving Worldly Things
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV).
Today, I am being reminded of the life of a young man Silva (not real name) I met in the early 1990’s in the Lord. According to him, he had to endure a great deal of personal battles against the cravings and dictates of the flesh. Being a young man in his early 20’s he recalled how his eyes were opened to all the pleasures and lusts around him (1 John 2:16) and how irresistible all these were to him, and he greedily feast on all the lusts his eyes beheld (Ecclesiastes 2:10). However, the brother had to constantly remind himself that in the Lord he is a new creation and that although "I have the right to do anything, but not everything is beneficial [and] I will not be mastered by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12). Right now in your life, are you allowing things to master you?
Furthermore, and as a known fact, every Christian’s innocence in the Lord is being tested and measured (Genesis 3:1-7; 22:1-2; 39: 1-10; Matthew 4:4), harsh as it may appear. Our fear, love and faithfulness to God must shine forth like some of these men including our Lord Jesus proved except for Adam and Eve. As it is, our inclusion in Christ through the re-born experience has placed a very high obligation on us to resist the devil’s advances and be steadfast in our commitment (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Readiness To Serve Equals Readiness To Meet The Lord (Vision Warning)
The Lord left us an example when He said that He came to serve and indeed we all know that He came to serve (Matthew 20:28) and His motivation was love to add meaning to our being. As we serve in the Lord, we give meaning to the value of our salvation giving expression to our faith and hope (1 Peter 3:15).
Recently, a very faithful brother in the Lord whom we know and enjoys a close relationship with shared with me how the Lord showed Him a powerful vision of the coming rapture. In the vision, he was shown in lightning speed or in a twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52) the happening of the Rapture, it was so amazingly fast and without warning that by the time he realised the Rapture had happened he made a final attempt to repent but he realised it was too late and all he was left with was regret. Consequently, the brother vowed to continue serving and be busy in the Lord’s affairs as a faithful servant who waits upon the appearance of His Saviour (Matthew 24:46).
Being Steadfast
Additionally, not only are we encouraged to be ready for the Lord’s appearing (Matthew 24:42), we need to keep a faithful and pure heart at all times (Matthew 5:8; Psalm 51:10). Let us divide the Word of Truth rightly (2 Timothy 2:15), we all know of Christian brethren who are simply addicted and in bondage to bitterness and they disobey and end the day without making right with their fellow brothers and sisters (Ephesians 4:26) and sadly, the vision of the brother above could serve costly to such unprepared Christians. We thus encourage you, when you have sinned or made a wrong decision as a Christian and the Holy Spirit convicts you, own up to your mistake and repent right there why wait and walk away with the guilt to be caught unawares by the Lord’s sudden appearance (Acts 3:19; Matthew 3:2). Therefore, against all odds rally your faith and summon your courage, with the full measure of your soul’s strength revere the Lord, obey Him and attain eternal salvation at His sudden appearance.
The Lord is still near today and if you desire to accept Christ as Saviour and Lord we have a suggested Prayer of Sincere Repentance to get you started on a new way of life leading to Eternal life and for any questions or comments on this article or our ministry, you may please contact us.
Blessed Peace
Brother Glenn
