Since the beginning of the downfall of humanity when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, things have been going from bad to worse. At times, such as right before the flood and right before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, things got so bad that God decided to have the whole world destroyed by a flood.
At this time God is holding back his wrath. He is keeping our complete destruction, which is truly what we all deserve, from happening to us. Just in this way we see God's mercy working in our lives. I can look back at so many times in my life where I didn't get what my sins deserve. There are too many moments of stupidity in my life to count. Yet God, who is rich in grace, keeps the full penalty of the stupidity of our sins from us.
At the same time I often hear people say things like. "Things are so bad. Pastor, do you think the end of the world is coming soon?" Or they don't even ask me but they simply say, "The world must be coming to an end, because everything is going downhill. My answer to these comments and questions is always the same. The world has been coming to an end since the beginning. With every rise of the sin the world is always one day closer to the end. In the New Testament writings of the Apostles there is great evidence that many at that time thought that the end of the world would come during their lifetime. Paul spends a great deal of time making sure people continue to live their lives instead of just simply waiting for the end. There is also an urgency in Paul's writings to share the Gospel for the "time is near", which is exactly what Paul did from his conversion on.
When we see things that make us think that the world is coming to an end we should be motivated greatly to increase our witness to Christ. We shouldn't cower in a corner, become pessimistic, or just sit and wait and tell that day comes. We should get to work! Jesus tells us that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. He tells us to ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into the harvest field.
Are you fed up with the way the world is going? Then do something about it! Share the Lord's truth with others. Fill your own life with God's Word, with His good news, and with His grace. Fill your community with these things. Tell your neighbors, friends, relatives, and everyone else about what Jesus has done for you and for them. If your world is falling apart around you and you aren't doing these things, you only have yourself to blame.
As has always been the case, it is God's Word, His truth that changes lives. It is His living Word that, when it reaches the ears of His creation causes people to go from belief and unbelief, from unsaved to saved. He has given us the joy and the opportunities to share His Gospel with others. Not only that, but the Holy Spirit gives us the power to share that good news with people from every tribe, language and nation.
You have no excuse, nor do you have a reason not to share the Gospel. The time is near when the end of all things will come, so instead of being fed up, start feeding souls with the food of the good news of salvation that only comes through Jesus Christ our Lord. Peace be with you as you get to work!
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