Old Time Religion
When Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy his son in the faith, there were
salient points he charged Timothy: his conduct as a true disciple and
his responsibility as the herald of the gospel of Christ. Paul warned
Timothy specifically in 2Timothy chapters 3 and 4 about a time when men
will love themselves as against loving God, blasphemers, unholy,
brutal, treacherous, despise all that is good and would be themselves
devils. He described it as terrible times, perilous times, a time when
it will be difficult to be a child of God. A time when people will
reject the true word of God but would rather listen to hyped and false
analogies of God's word. A time when they would rather sit around and
listen to teachers who peddle the word of God for profit by teaching
what the ears and hearts of people want to hear and receive. Can you
recognize the time? Just look around you! This, then begs the question,
how do we as true believers and disciples maintain the standard Christ
has set for us? How do we spread the gospel of truth without any
compromise and dilutions?
In 2Timothy 4:5, Paul warned Timothy: "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,discharge all the duties of your ministry". Paul by the Spirit of God was telling Timothy, as the Lord is speaking to us today, to focus on the task at hand which is to prepare the people for His coming. Bearing in mind that He is coming back with rewards for every soul. The message of the Kingdom must be preached without any reservation on our part and no matter how disposed or not we may feel because of the terrible times we are in. Even if we are persecuted we do not shirk in this responsibility; as this must be done with all diligence and fervor. Friend, it is time to remove our attention from the hurdles in front of us and focus on the glory set ahead of us at His appearing. It is God's expectation of us that we keep preaching and teaching the truth with love and compassion. It is time to return to the old time religion: when children of God were concerned about the unsaved and were ready to give up comfort so that the love of Christ will be brought to the people in darkness. Friend, it is not all about getting and having your needs met. So many have become 'give me, give me' Christians, it is time to start being a blessing to the people around you. How? By sharing the salvation message with them. After all that was the reason why Christ came and died for the world (Acts 3:26). It is not beneficial for you to live by the things of this world alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Christ said my food is to do the will of my Father in Heaven. If truly we want to serve Him, this should be our ultimate goal, every single second of our time here on earth, to seek to do His will. This is the proof that we indeed love God and not a lover of self (1John 1:4-5). He is coming back again, whether the world is ready or not: "And behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me to give to every one according to his work" (Revelation 22:12).
We have to understand and remember that "We are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2Corinthians 2:15). We must, of a necessity spread the fragrance of the knowledge of God to a dying stinking (of sin) world. We are the picture the world sees and thereby understand the message of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Bearing this in mind, we cannot afford to be tossed up and down by the the waves of perverted teachings of the times. It is time, to return to the undiluted word of God so that we will not be ashamed when the Lord appears in glory. Therefore, we must guard our heart continually by maintaining constant undiluted fellowship with God; we cannot also forsake the fellowship of one another, for through it we'll draw strength. As we do this sincerely and truthfully, without turning from the path but firmly planted on the Rock of truth, then we will run this race and fulfill the very purpose of our existence upon the face of the earth. Once you are ready to do this, God is set to pour out his great grace from His throne in ever increasing measure to keep you till He comes. God bless you.
In 2Timothy 4:5, Paul warned Timothy: "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,discharge all the duties of your ministry". Paul by the Spirit of God was telling Timothy, as the Lord is speaking to us today, to focus on the task at hand which is to prepare the people for His coming. Bearing in mind that He is coming back with rewards for every soul. The message of the Kingdom must be preached without any reservation on our part and no matter how disposed or not we may feel because of the terrible times we are in. Even if we are persecuted we do not shirk in this responsibility; as this must be done with all diligence and fervor. Friend, it is time to remove our attention from the hurdles in front of us and focus on the glory set ahead of us at His appearing. It is God's expectation of us that we keep preaching and teaching the truth with love and compassion. It is time to return to the old time religion: when children of God were concerned about the unsaved and were ready to give up comfort so that the love of Christ will be brought to the people in darkness. Friend, it is not all about getting and having your needs met. So many have become 'give me, give me' Christians, it is time to start being a blessing to the people around you. How? By sharing the salvation message with them. After all that was the reason why Christ came and died for the world (Acts 3:26). It is not beneficial for you to live by the things of this world alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Christ said my food is to do the will of my Father in Heaven. If truly we want to serve Him, this should be our ultimate goal, every single second of our time here on earth, to seek to do His will. This is the proof that we indeed love God and not a lover of self (1John 1:4-5). He is coming back again, whether the world is ready or not: "And behold, I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me to give to every one according to his work" (Revelation 22:12).
We have to understand and remember that "We are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2Corinthians 2:15). We must, of a necessity spread the fragrance of the knowledge of God to a dying stinking (of sin) world. We are the picture the world sees and thereby understand the message of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Bearing this in mind, we cannot afford to be tossed up and down by the the waves of perverted teachings of the times. It is time, to return to the undiluted word of God so that we will not be ashamed when the Lord appears in glory. Therefore, we must guard our heart continually by maintaining constant undiluted fellowship with God; we cannot also forsake the fellowship of one another, for through it we'll draw strength. As we do this sincerely and truthfully, without turning from the path but firmly planted on the Rock of truth, then we will run this race and fulfill the very purpose of our existence upon the face of the earth. Once you are ready to do this, God is set to pour out his great grace from His throne in ever increasing measure to keep you till He comes. God bless you.
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