It’s All About His Love
The devil targets Christians who are half awake, who are not clear-eyed, who are counted and numbered, standing with a foot in the world. Satan is stalking, seeking to pull away the believer who chooses to not center himself in Christ, for the enemy of God knows Jesus is soon coming.
“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
(The 1st Letter of Peter 4: 1-2 NASB)
There is a popular gospel song titled “Preach” performed by Ryan Stevenson and Matt Hammitt, one that speaks of how Christians are to live. It is a truth; we are to make up our mind to not make excuses.
- Why we cannot do something.
- Why we refuse to allow anything to dictate our lives.
We cannot live as the world & We must turn from idols that seek to take control of our lives BECAUSE IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LOVE OF JESUS!
The bond-servant of Jesus Christ wrote:
“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you,
(The Letter of Jude 1: 17-23 NASB)
“In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”
These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”
We are to allow our lives to preach for God’s mission continues on, not because we are strong but BECAUSE GOD IS WITH US!
- There was no one like Abram, and when God called him, he left his home in Ur of the Chaldeans and followed God’s call.
- There was no one like Moses, and when God called him when he was living in Egypt, he left his life as the adopted son of Pharoah and led God’s people across the Red Sea toward the promised land.
- There was no one like Joshua, one of the two spies sent by Moses to scout out the Promised Land, and when God told Moses that he would soon die and be buried, Moses left Joshua in charge to lead God’s people across the Jordan River and to be victorious in the battle of the city Jericho.
The point:
- If ten minutes is all the time we have, then devote those ten minutes to the Lord.
- If ten minutes is all the time we have to study God’s Word, then “study to show thyself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth. . .” (The 2nd Letter of Paul to Timothy 3: 15b KJV)
- If ten minutes is all the time we have to obey the commandments of God, then commit to love and obey the LORD, as Jesus commanded, ‘WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ (The Gospel According to Mark 12: 30b NASB)
- If ten minutes is all the time we have to stand for our faith in Jesus, then stand unapologetically.
“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
(The 1st Letter of Peter 3: 13-15 NASB)
But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.
AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;“
The early church was fed to lions, burnt at the stake, enslaved, and even exterminated BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH. However, they were filled with God’s Holy Spirit dwelling inside them—just as we are who believe today. Despite how dangerous life becomes, we are to walk by faith, BECAUSE IN HIM WE ARE MADE STRONG.
Do not be quiet & Do not slow down & Do not let up or back down—BUT—Keep holding on to your faith, learning more and more to lean in on Jesus, laying down daily our cross as we follow Him. Some might ask why? Our only answer: BECAUSE IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LOVE OF JESUS!