"For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion'. So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" (Rom 9:15-16).
Showing posts with label Preparing to meet God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preparing to meet God. Show all posts
I heard the “clack, clack, clack” of shooting outside my apartment yesterday. I live in the back, so I didn't feel pressured - didn't think a bullet would reach that far - but I also thought about what would happen if it did. What would happen if someone came looking for my apartment number, and I was in the wrong place, wrong time, mistaken identity, and was shot?
I fear death like any man, and at the time, if they'd come to the door banging and shooting, I’d have fled and found refuge through a window or something. But, this I know, I’m ready to meet God because of Jesus Christ. What He did for me has earned God's blessings upon me. I am forgiven, so I go in peace, sinning no more, doing God's will from the heart. He told the woman in John 8, who was caught in the act of wickedness, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin more more” (vs11). When He says, “Neither do I condemn you”, He always give strength to “sin no more”, and the command isn't an option. Wherever there is pardon, there is obedience, and by this, we are sure (2 Pet 1:10).
If you're ready, help us make others ready. If you are not ready, prepare to meet God by obeying Him in this life. Believe on Him in such a way that you serve Him, make your election sure, and bring others to His Name. There is forgiveness with Him, that He might be reverenced and worshiped as God. We read, “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (Ps 130:3-4).
Lemuel Haynes (First recorded African American preacher to all White congregation: 1753-1833) displayed his eschatological (Judgment Day) vision of pastoral ministry most clearly in a 1798 funeral sermon entitled The Important Concerns of Ministers and the People of Their Charge. In this sermon, Haynes anticipated that the pastor and the congregation would have a special relationship to one another in the coming judgment of Christ, where the congregation would be the “hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing … in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming (1 Thess 2:19).” However, the second coming of Christ and the accompanying judgment of ministers and their people was, in Haynes estimation, a proposition filled with both joyous promise and striking terror. At stake, more than merely the souls of pastors and congregants, was the very glory of God himself, whether the character of the Redeemer was properly displayed before His creation through the ministry of which both minister and member were a part. If the pastor was faithful, the congregation and their shepherd would enjoy a special intimacy with one another, an intimacy deepened by their commendation of the pastor and of the pastor’s recommendation of his people before the Lord himself. However, if either the pastor or the congregation were unfaithful, their eternal relationship would be one of accusing and exposing the other before God and His Son. For everlasting good or for eternal ill, the pastor and the congregation were joined in a most solemn union before God. Haynes concluded, “The influence of a faithful or unfaithful minister is such as to effect unborn ages; it will commonly determine the sentiments and characters of their successors, and in this way they may be doing good or evil after they are dead, and even to the second coming of Christ.” The unfaithful minister would be tried for his treasonous neglect of the souls of the people, and the unfaithful congregation would stand to hear the pastor’s denouncement of their spiritual apathy and hard heartedness. Therefore, ministers ought to preach, and people ought to listen, “with death and judgment in view.”
… For those in or contemplating entrance into pastoral ministry, Lemuel Haynes reminds us of the solemn importance of faithfulness in the gospel minister. Haynes warns us of a blithe attitude toward our work as ministers, ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Indifference is deadly – to our people and ourselves. Ours is a life dedicated to caring for another’s children with the anticipation of one day returning them to their Heavenly Father. At that time, we shall give an account of our stewardship – what we have taught His children; what model or example we have provided; whether we have tended to the state of their souls; and most importantly, whether we spoke reproachfully or gloriously of their True Father. If we would be faithful, we must keep the coming of our Lord in full view as we discharge all the duties we have been given by Him who “walks in the midst of the seven lampstands.”
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yes, I judge not my own self.For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord (vs2-4).”
The Lord Jesus is man’s judge, so my life’s ambition is to please Him. Knowing that I shall be judged, not by what I think or people say, I labor to be found acceptable of God in Christ, examining myself to be sure I’m in the faith – “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup” (I Cor 11:27).
We are to make our CALLING and election sure, evidencing and assuring ourselves that we know God. We take the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ in its glory and all it does for men, and then we BELIEVE it, and by BELIEVING, we have life.Then, we examine ourselves to make sure that we’re living in harmony with scripture. Where we are not, we repent, lest we suffer wrath – “But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are worked in God” (John 3:21).
The fear of the Lord is GOD’S gift to us. We don’t have it naturally, and even believers need growth in this fundamental knowledge that God is to be obeyed. Until we FEAR the Lord, obedience is optional at best, and we shall eat of our ways. But, knowing the terror of the Lord, we PREPARE ourselves and persuade men, even if we are called crazy because of the passion we serve with.
We beg, weep, labor, and PREACH because God is going to judge the world, and part of SELF-preparation is getting others ready. Christ said, “Go you therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19).You and I cannot RECEIVE the grace of God without God making us LIKE Himself in the salvation of men: this is the gift that He gives, so that SELF-examination and SERVING the Lord leads to loving people.
First, faithfulness is mandatory for ministers/stewards, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (I Cor 4:2). We must not be exciting, new, brilliant, popular, and many other things humans seek. But, we MUST be faithful to Jesus Christ and the gospel of His grace, proclaiming Him to be all in life and truth. He is the Savior of the world, so we preach, exalt, and honor Him, giving no glory to the flesh, no credit to ourselves, and all praise to God who saves by GRACE only.
Salvation by grace makes us weep tears of thankfulness, indebtedness, and joy. We REJOICE to see that we are REAL sinners, really rotten, and we’ve OBTAINED salvation by grace.He chose us, He died for the sins, and He came to us when we were venomous against Him.He washes our feet daily and pardons the DARKEST of transgressions.I thought recently what I often think with regard to forgiveness and indebtedness, “You don’t understand”.How can anyone understand the obligation that believers have to the Lord? Only by seeing how UTTERLY depraved we are… not were… that we ARE the chief of sinners and vilest of men… and for you and I to be saved, for me to be called to PREACH the gospel of Christ… is a privilege our brains cannot develop fully. But, we are OBLIGATED to honor Him who died for us, Him who taught us grace, Him who cleanses us from fall after fall, and He who makes us BETTER able to serve Him by the grace that DELIVERS us from sin.
Secondly, the apostle’s life was not one of ease, and neither is the life of faith – “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place” (I Cor 4:9-11). Spiritual maturity doesn’t mean that you’re on easy street. God will keep you and I weak, so that we can minister by the power of Christ. We will not have ability to SAVE ourselves, so when He saves us by grace, glory goes to Him. Don’t expect an easy life, and don’t think that high spirituality means that you look down upon others and enjoy yourself. God afflicts those He makes a blessing so that we bless others from a Christ that is real and STRENGTH that’s of God, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (II Cor 12:9). It can’t be head knowledge. And, since the world hates our gospel, we have trials, heartbreak, and woe. Yet, this is the path of faithfulness, as we ENDURE these things in love, humility, and by grace, rather than sin, “being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it” (I Cor 4:12).
Lastly, the gospel is God’s method of salvation, so do everything you can for it – “For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (I Cor 4:15). Paul labored, preached, and served because he BELIEVED the gospel was God’s power to salvation. And, when people believe this, then they LIVE to make it known. We go from hearers to DOERS of the word, making sure that someone else can hear too – “But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 2:22).
We spend our lives ADORNING the gospel, so that people will be drawn to the Lord, so that He will be honored, whether they come or not. We know that character matched with truth is what God uses to save; it is His weapon.
If the gospel is God’s power of salvation, then PREACH, live, and SERVE the gospel of Christ. Live that He be known in truth, following the counsel yourself.
