I believe that you and I as Christians are living at a very unique time in history, and it’s no accident. Scripture is clear that God specifically determines the place we are born and the time we live.
"'From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.'" -Acts 17:26-27
We, as Christians, should be excited and living with a sense of godly expectation in this time. The world is changing rapidly. A new sense of urgency exists for the Church to rise up instead of retreat.
The Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema) awaits all of us as we are called to give an account for our role in getting the gospel to as many people as possible in our lifetime. But there is another judgment called the Great White Throne of judgment, where the unbeliever is judged and sent to Hell.
And Hell is forever. There is no second chance, as the writer of Hebrews states:
"Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment ... ." -Hebrews 9:27
Brothers and sisters, these are the issues, and they are huge.
I personally believe that the next few years are of strategic importance. We stand at the crossroads of great peril and great promise.
We need to be like the Apostle Paul who begged people to come to Christ.
"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." -2 Corinthians 5:20
None of us can feel adequate to do this, especially when the truth of Christ usually splits public opinion. Paul saw the hostile divide that the love of Christ brings when the gospel is given.
"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God." -2 Corinthians 2:15-17
Do you see how Jesus splits the opinions of people? To some we are the fragrance of life, and to others we are the stench of death. Even though we may face opposition and rejection, we need to clothe ourselves with grace and deliver the message of the saving love of Christ.
May God take each of our hearts to a new level of submission for the purpose of getting the gospel to as many as we can—for the glory of God.
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