Post by Daniel on Sept 30, 2015 8:25:27 GMT -5
What sort of people ought you to be?
Howard Green
September 28, 2015
Statements and mindsets like these are so prevalent because they point to a spiritual epidemic in our time: They are getting away with murder. I can’t believe they got away with that. He never gets caught. I fooled them. It’s okay to look, as long as you don’t touch. That holy living is for Sunday, I’m in the ‘real world’ today. I’ve been hearing talk about the ‘end times’ for years….I’ll live for today! Scoffing is the direct result of ungodly living. By definition, scoffing is: an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn; a jeer…..an object of mockery or derision. Scoffers live like the world because they don’t believe god’s judgement is coming. Since true Christians see the day approaching: What sort of people ought you to be?
2 Peter 3:11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
The world laughed at Noah right up until the first raindrops fell. The inhabitants of Sodom went after strange flesh until fire rained down from heaven and wiped them all out. When people think judgement is delayed or isn’t coming……sinful living follows. In our generation…..decadence, hedonism, raw individualism, and self absorption are the rule, rather than the exception.
This sort of sinful bent toward the flesh can creep up so quickly and if left unchecked…..people who claim to be Christians can become indistinguishable from the world. John tells us why we should love God and turn away from the things of this world:
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
With the warnings from Peter and John in mind, we need to remember to live a life of holiness and love for God alone. The very fact that there are so many people who claim to be Christians living like the world is an indicator of the nearness of the Lord’s return. We can warn them, disassociate from them after that, and even expose their works. I believe that pattern will only increase with the wickedness of the days ahead.
So what about us? Why should we live in increased holiness?
continue reading
concerningthetimes.com/what-sort-of-people-ought-you-to-be/
Howard Green
September 28, 2015
Statements and mindsets like these are so prevalent because they point to a spiritual epidemic in our time: They are getting away with murder. I can’t believe they got away with that. He never gets caught. I fooled them. It’s okay to look, as long as you don’t touch. That holy living is for Sunday, I’m in the ‘real world’ today. I’ve been hearing talk about the ‘end times’ for years….I’ll live for today! Scoffing is the direct result of ungodly living. By definition, scoffing is: an expression of mockery, derision, doubt, or derisive scorn; a jeer…..an object of mockery or derision. Scoffers live like the world because they don’t believe god’s judgement is coming. Since true Christians see the day approaching: What sort of people ought you to be?
2 Peter 3:11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
The world laughed at Noah right up until the first raindrops fell. The inhabitants of Sodom went after strange flesh until fire rained down from heaven and wiped them all out. When people think judgement is delayed or isn’t coming……sinful living follows. In our generation…..decadence, hedonism, raw individualism, and self absorption are the rule, rather than the exception.
This sort of sinful bent toward the flesh can creep up so quickly and if left unchecked…..people who claim to be Christians can become indistinguishable from the world. John tells us why we should love God and turn away from the things of this world:
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
With the warnings from Peter and John in mind, we need to remember to live a life of holiness and love for God alone. The very fact that there are so many people who claim to be Christians living like the world is an indicator of the nearness of the Lord’s return. We can warn them, disassociate from them after that, and even expose their works. I believe that pattern will only increase with the wickedness of the days ahead.
So what about us? Why should we live in increased holiness?
continue reading
concerningthetimes.com/what-sort-of-people-ought-you-to-be/