TIMELESS TRUTH. . .
The timeless and cross-cultural nature of scripture is repeatedly confirmed.
God’s Word continually proves to be beneficial to me an American, in 2021, for teaching me, rebuking me, correcting me, and training me in righteousness. I expect such every time I read it. And as one with the ministry gift of teaching, and a prophetic sense of our Day, I quickly drift into what it means for the Church as well.
So, my heart was pierced when reading I Thess. 5:1-8, starting with “Now as to the periods and times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.”
Paul couldn’t write that to us, and it shocked me to realize how far we have fallen.
We appear to be oblivious to Jesus’ many admonitions to live in the light of “the coming Day of the Lord” as in Mt. 24:42-51, Mark 13:24-37, Luke 12:22-40, Luke 21:25-36; and Peter in II Peter 3 – – and more.
RELIGIOUS BUT. . .
We can be religious like the Pharisees, but where are the marks that we are “sons of light and sons of day” as in v5? How different are we from the unsaved, in loving sinners and enemies and forgiving those who do evil against us?
And how different in where we invest our time, talent, and treasure? (Mt. 6:19-21) Jesus’ words that our heart will be in the same place, are startling. The consequences now and for eternity are unavoidable for us and for those who never heard the Gospel because we wasted His resources on ourselves instead of investing them as He commanded. This is serious.
ITS TIME
It’s time to “be sober” as in v8. If you are in a local church, speak blessing over your leaders if they proclaim such truth and shape the church accordingly. Otherwise, pray that everything that can be shaken, will be shaken (Heb. 12:25-29), and initiate the II Cor. 10:3-5 spiritual demolition of opposing strongholds so that we can get on track. It matters. WE are the Church!
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
July 30, 2021
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