"This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than we first believed." Romans 14:11
Do you think Paul annoyed his friends? I have been tossing this question around for a couple of weeks and I am sure he did.. I mean just think about the people who knew him as Saul. They killed christians together. Then all of the sudden he is for God and he even changed his name.. I'm sure those "friends" were weirded out by him, maybe even furious. But I also am starting to think he started to annoy some "lukewarm" christians. In America today, he would straight up bug the christian out of some people. Today if this dude came around telling us to live our lives as if Jesus is coming today, we would unfollow his Instagram and block his phone number. I want to just highlight why we may have stopped waiting on God. Are we even waiting on God..?Hopefully I can shed some light on this area and throw some steps out there!
Now what happened?? Why as believers have we become way too patient for Christ's return..? We think "if they really believed He would come soon then 'soon' is gone.." It is sad to me that we don't believe God can return today.. Honestly we may say He could but we still have our birthday coming up, or a big promotion, or we are making brisket for dinner. These things are too important and He can wait.. As believers we need to see patience as an act, not an excuse to be lazy or watch another episode of Breaking Bad on Netflix. I am not saying you can't do things you enjoy, but I think we need to constantly have a Kingdom Mindset and look to spread the gospel daily. Yes.. Daily! Like, every single day. "You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near." James 5:8
They said soon over 2,000 years ago. To me when people say 2,000 years I am like "sheesh what a long time!" But honestly I can't even imagine 100 years ago. So when they said the word "soon" what did they mean. I don't think they knew exactly and I know that no one knows the exact date, except God alone. But these dudes lived as if Christ was coming back that day. For my birthday I watched one of my favorite movies, I am Legend, in the movie Will Smith quotes Bob Marley and says "there are those who plan evil and they don't take a day off, so how can I?" Now I know Bob Marley may not be the most christian source but he was definitely on to something. Paul and these men believed that God was coming soon, because He is, and because we cannot stay stagnant!
I think sometimes we view God as a tow truck driver.. Just waiting for us to park in the wrong spot so he can drag us away. God isn't mad at us, and He has given us freewill. In fact He so loves us! (See John 3:16) But it is up to us to respond to His love and His calling in our lives. God is calling us closer today and bringing us near to Him. So get up for our Father is coming very soon now. My prayer is that this may spark something in you. So don't lose hope, just because they said "soon" in the 1st century doesn't mean God won't come back today. Have faith and believe. Christ will come back when His message has reached all of His people. You may ask, "well how can that be true with ISIS and Boko Haram around?" It is up to us to pray and seek God so we may overflow Him into our world! How do you know you won't meet an unreached person at the mailbox or at the DPS? The next person to receive Christ may even be your waitress! Walk with faith today and believe that God will use you in big ways! (Read that last sentence again. I am talking to YOU!) He is calling, all we need is obedience and courage! Love you guys!!
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AuthorMy name is Andrew Berry! I am just living my life chasing after Jesus and trying to point others to Him. Archives
January 2017
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