"I overthrew some of you as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire, yet you have not returned to me," declares the LORD. "Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel." (Amos 4:11-12 NIV) This past Sunday as many of us were preparing to go to our worship services, we watched the TV news in horror and disbelief as we heard reports about the great earthquake and the giant tsunami waves. Today, we hear of reports that say as many as 61,000 people have died in 12 different countries. The list of dead continues to grow each day.
Do we think these are reports about apocalyptic events that are beginning to take place in preparation for the Lord`s appearing? We cannot say with any degree of certainty because Jesus teaches us "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36 NIV) Therefore, it does not bode well for anyone of us who are not possessed by special power given to the only Son of God to start saying this is the end of all things. But, these events and the many destructive storms that struck the state of Florida this past year do sound a very ominous warning to all of us that life as we know it is very fragile and can be taken away from us in an instant. In view of the fact that we understand the brevity of our lives on this earth, it makes good common sense for us to take stock of our affairs in order to have a degree of certainty that we are doing everything possible to have things in order when that time comes. The Bible contains some very clear warnings intended for all people of the past, present and future. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:10-12 NIV) Folks, I am not so bold as to think that I can look you in the eye and say that God has given this humble preacher some special revelation that you are going to die in 2005. Nevertheless, you and I both know that death is one certain appointment out of which we cannot wiggle or negotiate. Nothing we say or do will turn back the clock and halt the rush of time. Tick, Tick, Tick. Money we can bank or borrow, Save today for use tomorrow; Time cannot be stored or lent; Each minute, on the dot, is spent. (Elinor K. Rose) Just because we may have been born in America does not mean that we deserve some special status with God. Perhaps we were born into a good Christian family – that alone does not guarantee that we are prepared to meet God. Saul, later known as the apostle Paul, was born into a good Jewish family. He also received the best training as a rabbi. Nevertheless, he still had to be converted to Jesus Christ. (Acts 9, 16 and 22) Then again, maybe we made a choice long ago to join a church but we did not truly convert to Jesus Christ. Maybe we have attended most services, even taught Sunday school -- all that does not matter unless we have truly prepared to meet God by faith in the One whom God sent to save sinners. Prepare to meet God in 2005 by preparing your heart through genuine repentance of all your sins. God's patience and love is prodding us to repent while there is still time. Everyone must meet God – not only those of us who believe in the absolute veracity of God's Word, but also those who have been fighting against God for many years. Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? (Romans 2:4 NIV) Prepare to meet God in 2005 through unconditional faith that leads you to surrender your will to the will of God. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2 NIV) There is no joyful hope without the grace of God, and we only have access to this grace by faith in Jesus Christ. Prepare to meet God in 2005 by being baptized into Jesus Christ and living faithfully for God all your life. See Romans 6:3-4. Resolve today that you will stand with the sheep in 2005 and not with the goats. You are encouraged to attend the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments. David Binkley, Sr., P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. You may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at http://www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. |
