In this end time we are already
in, many of us believers still do not know what we are up against. We seem to
be far too removed from the reality of all that is happening all around us. We
seem to always want to choose what and
when to love and hate according to our desires and emotions, and not
according as it is written.
The Great Divide.
Some of us are still marveling
at this:
Ø The world won’t stop hating, and we can’t stop loving. “If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated me before it hated you…The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth,
because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” (John 15:18,
7:7).
Every believer in Christ will
face hate from time to time, depending on your location. The gospel message is
that of practical love, where the Father demonstrated His love for the world by
giving up His only begotten Son for our sins, John 3:16. But when believers are
openly hating each other, then it’s no more of love but hate. Whatever God
loves, the world will hate. You can’t be calling yourself a child of God
and then turn around and hate your fellows. Absolutely NO! Even thou the world
won’t stop hating you for Christ’s sake, you just can’t stop loving.
Now, are we prepared for this?
Ø “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted,” –
[Affliction (noun) -
1. “A state of pain, distress, or grief; misery: They sympathized with
us in our affliction.”
2. “A cause of mental or bodily pain, as sickness, loss, calamity, or
persecution.”
3. “The state of being afflicted; the cause of persistent pain or
distress; great suffering.”]
An
afflicted person or group shall surely be hated by the loveless person or group.
And is this not already happening!? Are not the ministers and churches publicly
ridiculed by the world and even (ignorant) believers!? We believers must cease
from this ridiculous act. Stop the circulation of defaming videos, text, and
any other related materials. If we don’t start loving has divinely demonstrated
and directed, we surely be hating “the
afflicted” brethren among us, and may God forbid this in our midst.
Ø “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one
another.” -
Why
should this be happening among us?! It’s happening because we are not paying
attention to the Word of God for this time. We have become very envious of each
other’s gifts, calling, zeal and devotion, even material wealth. We are self-centered
and inwardly wicked, ignoring to see the needs of others. We are easily
offended and eager to betray the other’s trust. What have we become!? “Bunch of
haters!”, back-bitters, “holier-than-thou” saints, deceiving ourselves before
the very world we are sent to save. We are now merciless, and expecting mercy. Instead
of binding the wounds of the wounded, we are probing deep the more. Hypocrites!
Ø “And many false prophets shall rise, and
shall deceive many.”
All because of hate, the
children of light are themselves being blinded. Truth is no more truth but falsehood
and sensational at its best, lacking the resurrection power of God. The Word is
being choked by the thorns of this world, and many are not bearing the fruit of
the Spirit anymore. The senses are deadened by all kinds of lust, and greed is
fueling our selfish desires to be a show-off.
Ø “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold.”
The falsehoods
we’ve allowed to creep into the fold surely has given rise this unprecedented
height of iniquitous lifestyle that is now prevalent in the world. Psalm 11:3 says
that “If
the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The
falsehoods we’ve allowed for so long to chip at the foundation, has now taken
away its strength, and it’s collapsing before our very eyes. We don’t even know
that when “projected love” ceases to
be the life source of any person, group or church, that body is set for a crash
whenever the storm comes. Love is very crucial at this end time, and if we don’t
love ourselves and those we see, we can’t love God Whom we can’t see. Without
love, there is no bond.
Ø
“But
he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
We must endure (with) love till the end inspite of our afflictions
at this end time. Never stop loving God, His Christ, His kingdom and saints all
over the world. Reach out as much as you can, and never hate or look down on anyone
for their afflictions, for it is enough of pain to bear for those afflicted. Always
do your best to help lift them up. Remember this, kind words from a heart
filled with love is worth much more than billions of dollars.
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