God judges us according to the light that we have received. Jesus told the Jews of His day that their judgment would be even more severe than that of Sodom and Gomorrah, because they had received a much greater revelation of truth (Mathew 11:20-24).
Many of us fail to realize that God’s judgment does not begin with the people of this world, but the people of God. Peter told the Christians of his day “For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17). These words applies very much to us even today.Out of all the sins it is enough if we consider these two sins in this world today among the believers: Materialism and Compromise.
In Luke 17:26-30 Jesus predicted that the period before His return would be like the days of Noah and Lot. He mentioned specifically eight activities characteristic of those days: eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage, buying, selling, building and planting. These activities didn’t seem to be sinful, but the problem was Materialism. The people of those days had become so engrossed in these materialistic activities that they were unaware of the impending judgment of God on their carnal lifestyle. When judgment came, they were totally unaware.
In Luke 17:26-30 Jesus predicted that the period before His return would be like the days of Noah and Lot. He mentioned specifically eight activities characteristic of those days: eating, drinking, marrying, giving in marriage, buying, selling, building and planting. These activities didn’t seem to be sinful, but the problem was Materialism. The people of those days had become so engrossed in these materialistic activities that they were unaware of the impending judgment of God on their carnal lifestyle. When judgment came, they were totally unaware.
The same is true for most of us today - Are we prepared if the final judgment of God comes suddenly today?
Like materialism, the sin of compromise often goes unrecognized. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul wrote, “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” We see this in lives of many believers today, people buys in their own world and totally unconcerned about others or the crisis in our nation/city that we live in. God requires us to respond to these present crisis by following 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and healthier land”.
The problem with many of us today is that we haven’t followed (fulfilled) the first condition, “we have never truly humbled ourselves”. Our pride both spiritual and worldly remains as a great barrier that holds back the answers to our prayers for ourselves and also for others. The most effective way for us to humble ourselves is by confessing our sins. The bible encourages us to confess our sins not only to God, but also to one another. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). We can hardly maintain an attitude of pride if we confess our sins to each another.
Let us seek His face and also seek His help to enable us to accept our personal responsibility towards Him and also towards others.
Have A Blessed Day!
God Bless
Every Day With Jesus
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