Our sinful behavior, our selfishness does not make us sinners, but only proves what we are by human nature. Our very nature condemns us to death from our very birth. Romans 5: 12 – 18, Ephesians 2 :1-3. Clearly, the New Testament presents sin as both a verb (an action statement) as well as a noun (stating the human condition).
For Christ to redeem mankind from both the sin problems (action and human condition) He had to assume the selfsame nature we are born with in order for Him to be our Complete Savior, “For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people.” Hebrews 2:17 NIV. For this reason, Jesus Christ had to be made like His brothers in every way in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest.
Jesus distilled the final events of history down to a battle between other centered love and selfishness or self centered love.
Jesus explained that in the last days sin will abound and the love of many will grow cold. But Jesus also said there will be those who endure in love to the end.
Repeating what Jesus said, Paul, the greatest apostle, depicted the end of the world with these stunning words: “In the last days perilous times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…., having a form of godliness but denying its power …., Yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse deceiving and be deceived”. Sadly, selfishness and deception will grow exponentially. This is a sign of the times, an integral part of the Final Events of earth’s history. BUT, there will be a people who keep on loving like the Lord Jesus loves, even in the face of hate and persecution.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! …..
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3: 1-13 NKJV
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death”. Revelation 12: 11 NKJV
God is patiently waiting for the day, when as the united church of Christ and people in Christ, the world will hear from the followers of Jesus Christ, Christ in us, the hope of glory, the loud cry to the whole world.
One truth will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other, “Christ our Righteousness”.
Prayers for each reader, that Christ lives in us, and the selfish human nature dies.
Be mindful that to every individual God has assigned a place in His great plan.
Today men and women are being tested in the hand of Him who makes no mistake.
All are by their own choice deciding their destiny, and God is overruling all for the accomplishment of His purposes.
Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events.
Everything in our world is agitation. Something great and decisive is about to take place.
The whole world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis. But know this, that God is love and will not fail His people in the hour of their greatest peril.
God has promised deliverance and ultimately the purpose of God will be fulfilled.
The principles of His Kingdom, that God is love, other centered love, will be honored by all beneath the sun.
Make a decision for Jesus today and follow in His steps of self-sacrificing, other centered love.
Parousia and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ are on the horizon.
Jesus is coming soon, He is making ready to take His children home.
Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ and His great self-sacrificing love!
Reference: Prophets and Kings 509
