You Have Been Called; You Have Been Sent!
“In those days they will no longer say,
(Jeremiah 31: 29-30 & 34 NASB)
‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
But it is the children’s teeth
that have become blunt.’
But everyone will die for his own wrongdoing;
each person who eats the sour grapes, his own teeth will become blunt. . . .
They will not teach again, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the LORD, “for I will forgive their wrongdoing, and their sin I will no longer remember.”
The idea that God could cause a disaster to a whole nation of people or to a clan or even to a single individual’s life seems quite preposterous. Nevertheless, in the Word of God, we read of accounts where God did just that—allowed & even used roaring nations to sweep in and uproot a nation of people. Just read the historical accounts of Israel; see how they were trampled by the Assyrians. Just read the historical accounts of Judah; see how the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, the temple, and the people. God does allow judgment to come upon His people. What we should also see is that even when God allows judgment, and even when God uses another group of people to bring His judgment—God also provides a way of restoration for His people. Do not believe me but read the historical accounts of Israel and Judah to see the truth. God does not judge one person’s sins based upon the sins of the person’s father.
“In those days they will no longer say,
(Jeremiah 31: 29-30 NASB)
‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes,
But it is the children’s teeth
that have become blunt.’
But everyone will die for his own wrongdoing;
each person who eats the sour grapes, his own teeth will become blunt.”
- God does judge one’s sins—individually!
- Everyone is accountable to God for his own sinful state, for his own sins!
We also know from God’s Word what the penalty is for our sins—Death & Separation from God’s presence—for Eternity!
- Everyone who turns toward God, seeking His forgiveness, will live!
“Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt?’
(Ezekiel 18: 19-22 NASB)
When the son has practiced justice and righteousness and has kept all My statutes and done them,
he shall certainly live.
The person who sins will die.
A son will not suffer the punishment for the father’s guilt, nor will a father suffer the punishment for the son’s guilt;
the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself,
and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.
But if the wicked person turns from all his sins which he has committed and keeps all My statutes and practices justice and righteousness,
he shall certainly live;
he shall not die.
All his offenses which he has committed will not be remembered against him;
because of his righteousness which he has practiced,
he will live.”
- People need to know God’s Truth!
- People need to know of God’s Judgment!
- People need to know of God’s Everlasting Forgiveness!
How will people know if they never attend church? They will know because we—God’s People—will tell them.
You Have Been Called; You Have Been Sent!
We are the lips; We are the hands and feet of the Gospel; We are (for some) the only chance they will ever SEE THE TRUTH of GOD & the GOSPEL MESSAGE.
When Jesus spoke His final words to His disciples, He said “You shall receive power” & “You shall be witnesses.” He did not say the preachers or the deacons or the Sunday school teachers only would receive power and be witnesses. YOU means YOU! You is both singular and plural. YOU means “ALL of YOU” will receive power & will be witnesses of Jesus!
You Have Been Called & So Have I!
You Have Been Sent & So Have I!
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us;
(2 Corinthians 5: 20-21 NASB)
[It’s as if God Himself said directly to us—]
we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”