If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;
old things are passed away; behold,
all things are become new.
2Corinthians 5:17
Yes, I am not quoting from Revelation in this blog. Why? I feel it necessary to take a look at what it means to be a Christian and then see how those words that seem so confusing can be made non-confusing. I will go on in the next blogs to discuss the verses in chapter 8. Until then let us look at this fact: If....If....you have become a true believer in Jesus Christ you are a "new creature" "old things have passed away." Do you believe that? Do you have the assurance that those words are true? If so, then, those plagues coming upon the earth will not destroy you. In fact in verses 7-8 we find that only a "third" will be burnt up, therefore we see the mercy of God saving some and in holy judgment bring destruction on those who will never believe in Him. It is not that they do not believe that it is possible that there is a God, no, they do not, and will not accept Jesus Christ as the One who can save them and give to them eternal life.
Let us look at salvation, the salvation of your soul. Do you believe that you have a soul? That is the first step! Do you believe that you will stand before the throne of God? Here is a test for you: has your life altered from the course that was against God? Do you no longer look at things as you used to do? Has God altered the things that really matter? Do you, in some way, hanker for the things that you have left behind? If you do then it is absurd for you to talk about things above.
Let us look at an example provided for us in the Bible: "He lingered" (Genesis 19:16). This is speaking about Lot. God provided for us the example of Lot so we can learn how to live in the will of God. The Character of Lot is put before us: "He lingered." Why should he? Was he not the nephew of Abraham a faithful man to Jehovah God? Yes! When did lot linger? Was it not the very morning that Sodom was to be destroyed? Yes! Did not Lot linger even though the messengers, the angels who came to save him and to bring him out of the city to not be destroyed? Yes! Was Lot an evil man and this was to be understood that he would linger? No! Lot was a man who knew Jehovah, a true believer, a child of God, justified, righteous. Lot had hope of salvation: "And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds)" (2Peter 2:7-8). Here is the problem: he was slow when he should have been quick, backward when he should have been forward, trifling when he should have been hastening. Here is a fear: Many of you are just like Lot! They are real children of God and appear to know far more than they live up to, as see more than they practice, and continue in this state for years. They go no further! It is not that they do not hold Jesus Christ up and love the truth, even like good preaching, and assent to every article of the Gospel doctrine. Yet! They are still doing things which disappoint God, even to disappoint ministers, and others and puzzle them causing great anxiety. There is no real and lasting altering of themselves, and have not and are not living up to being what God says they are: new creatures. The amazing thing is that this alteration is the evidence of your faith and that you are a saved soul. Is His life working out in you in every particular, not to your consciousness, but deeper than your consciousness?
What are you choosing? Who you "hang out" with, or allowing the culture of this evil world to aid you in your decisions? Are you mingling with worldly people, not that you cannot have time with them but "mingling" with them, that is allowing yourself to be more like them than what you are: a new creature!
How is your walk with God? Are you everyday, every moment spiritually-minded? Are you distinct from this world? Are you living a consecrated life? Do not linger? Revelation has no time set forth for the coming judgment of God, but does set forth that He is coming and the judgments set forth in Scripture are coming: are you aiding others to come to Jesus? Or, are you just satisfied that you are of the "elect" so you will be saved no matte what? If that is you belief you better take another look at Scripture and not just what some man(s) have given as doctrine. This is true about all the confusing eschatological positions and viewpoints: they are men attempting to bring some solution to the symbols that are hard to understand. Choose one, but do not put them above the Gospel, as gospel, and remember that first and foremost you are a "new creature" and that you will be saved, even if you have to go through some trials. Do not linger on this point: act now! Time is of the essence for God will come as a thief in the night, that is, you and others will not know the time, but you do know that He is coming. Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you. Do not be like Lot's wife and look back and linger, hankering for the old ways. Keep your eyes forward, towards the goal.
How excellent is thy loving kindness,
O God! therefore the children of men
put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Psalm 36:7
Onward Christian Soldiers
Richard L. Crumb
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