Christian Living

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Anyone who is even remotely interested in Bible prophecy knows that the coming of the Lord is near. Luke 21:28 says that when you see these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your head, because your redemption is drawing near. Everyday something of prophetic significance comes about.

In an article by Jim Bramlett titled “How many people will be raptured,” he gives a startling statistic released by pollster George Barna. In the study, only 9% of America’s born-again Christians have a Biblical worldview. Think about that for a second.

Out of that 9%, quoting Jim Bramlett, “How many of that small number believe that Jesus Christ will return personally to the earth as he promised? How many believe the many signs that His Return is near? How many actually long for his appearing?”

If we believe that Jesus is really coming back, how many of you are ready to meet him? How many of you will hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Or, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”

Most of us have grown up in the church. Every week we go and sing the songs, listen to the sermon, shake some hands and leave feeling refreshed. We go about the week thinking, “I’m a pretty good person.”

The reality of it is that just because we are a good person, we tend to think that we’ll go to heaven based on our merits. That is just not the case. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- NOT by Works, so that no man can boast.”

We live in a system of works. If we work hard at the office, we get a raise. If we work hard at home with the kids or just cleaning the house we get rewarded for it. Is it any wonder that when it comes to salvation and staying saved, we tend to think that it’s a system based on works?

Look at the people of Ephesus. Jesus said, “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you can not tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have preserved and have endured hardship for my name and have not grown weary.”

You can almost hear Jesus saying, “I am so proud of you. You are going out there and doing what needs to be done. Standing up to wickedness, planting seeds, having Bible studies, starting bus routes and the whole nine yards. Good job.”

His very next statement is what causes everything to stop. “Yet I have this against you, you have forsaken your first love.” Admit it, there are times when we get so busy, we forget the fundamentals of the Christian faith.

When we come to Christ, we are thrilled that we can be forgiven of any sin we have ever committed. God has shown us grace and mercy in our time of need, making us into a new creation.

When we lose sight of the seriousness of sin and forget the redemptive power of the Cross, things tend to go astray. 2nd Peter 1:9 (nlt) states, “But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin.”

“Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. IF you do not repent, I will come and remove your lamp stand from its place.”

It’s time to slow down and take stock of our lives. What was it that brought us into a relationship with Jesus in the first place? What were we going through? What stage of life were we in when he called?

It’s time to repent! Let’s go back to the basics and start over. We need Jesus, more now than ever before. You and I both know that the coming days are going to be filled with more and more hostility toward those who truly belong to Jesus. Without Him, how will you stand?

Right now, if you have sin in your life or perhaps you found yourself so busy that you have forgotten your first love. Maybe you have never asked Christ to forgive you at all and you want to be a new creation, then this is for you.

The first thing that you need to understand is that God loves you. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son to die on a cross for us. If we believe in him we will not perish but have eternal life.

There are a lot of good people out there who think that they are okay. The truth is they are not. 1st John 1:8 says that if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Ezekiel 18:4 states: The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Thanks be to God, He made a better way. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

Jesus told us in John 14:6. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.”

I could go on and on but the fact is, we need Jesus. He came and died to take our place. It’s because of the redemptive work on the cross that we can enter into the presence of God.

If you need Jesus or if you need to return to him because you have fallen away do so right now. Jesus said, “Repent, do the things that you did at first.” This is the first step. Pray this prayer:

Jesus, I believe that you are the Son of God who came down to earth to die for my sins. I am a sinner who needs a savior. Please come into my heart and forgive me of all my sins. Make me a new creation because I want to spend eternity with you. In Jesus name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer I want you to know that God has forgiven you. If you have been to busy for God, I want you to know that He is excited that you called on his name.

If you have accepted Jesus as Savior or are recommitting your life to the Lord, let me know so I can be praying for you.

Let’s get ready, Jesus is coming!!!

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