Judgment on God’s People Continuing to Go Astray
We are living in dangerous times, and there is no nice way to say it.
2 Timothy 3:1 – But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
There’s no point in watering down the harsh reality of the times we are currently living in, because we would be fooling ourselves. The time for sugar-coated sermons is over. The time for “switch on/switch off” Christian life is over.
In 2022, God’s people will need to be serious about righteous living, putting away all kinds of sinful deeds.
Colossians 3:5 – Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:8-9 – But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,
In 2022, risking your spirituality will be like risking your eternal future. God’s people will need to be extra careful about their walk with God from this year. They will need to see to it that they don’t get counted among the people of the last days described in the verses below. Note that the verses speak about godly people who would deny their faith and walk away from God, but still uphold an outward, false form of godliness in the last days.
2 Timothy 3:2-5 – For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Charles Spurgeon had explained 2 Timothy 3:5 in much detail in his sermon, titled “The Form of Godliness without the Power.”
In 2022, God wants His people to repent and turn away from their sinful ways. But those who would choose to live in darkness, despite knowing the Lord, will face His judgment.
Colossians 3:6-7 – Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Jeremiah 5:26-29 – ‘For among My people are found wicked men; …Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; …Shall I not punish them for these things?’ says the Lord. ‘Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?’
Further, irrespective of whether you know Christ or not, know that: now is the time for salvation, now is the time to turn back to God, now is the time to say no to temptations, and now is the time to walk away from sin. You may not get another chance to come to God. Don’t wait for tomorrow, don’t wait for the next hour. NOW is the time! I vaguely remember a powerful evangelist once sharing a story of a girl who was supposed to answer the altar call, but did not.
The evangelist had also tried to convince her to pray the salvation prayer, but for some reason she left the meeting hall. The meeting was attended by a large crowd, yet God had turned the evangelist’s attention to that girl and gave her an opportunity to surrender her life to the Lord.
Later, the evangelist had been informed that the girl died in an accident soon after she left and just outside the meeting hall. Life doesn’t give you too many chances, so why risk it? You don’t know what the devil has planned for you. You don’t know how long you’re going to stay on the earth.
Are you 100% sure you will go to heaven after you die? Take full advantage of the time you have and redeem it wisely. Don’t get consumed by the world and the things of the world. Also, be a true Christian and don’t become selfish during the end-time revival: only looking to save your own life and that of your loved ones. You are called for greatness.
Great people go upwards and onwards. They go the extra mile and look beyond their own needs. Intercede before God for people still living in darkness. Complete your God-given assignments. Become a prayer warrior. Fight in the spirit like a true soldier of God, not just for your own self but also for others.