Every generation since the ascension of Jesus into heaven has thought that his promised return would be on their watch. People have lived in expectancy, in dread, in hope, longing and even praying for his return. Unbelievers have ridiculed even the idea that the Lord would come back by saying that if he really cared, he would have come back a long time ago and straightened out this mess we live in.
The Bible says that the Lord isn't stalling; he isn't making us sweat or stew in our own sin to teach us a lesson. He is waiting until the last possible moment to give as many as possible a shot at his forgiveness and eternal salvation (2 Peter 3:8-9). The fact is that Jesus is coming back when God says the time is right.
Meanwhile the Bible says that the Church is to live expecting that today could be the day. That means guarding against being lured off the path of truth by bad theology, false teaching and good-sounding spirituality that sounds just enough 'christian' to sound believable (2 Peter 3:17). The closer we get to the day of Jesus' return, the more pervasive this will become.
The greatest danger facing the modern Church is not financial strain brought on by severe economic conditions nor is it declining membership. It very well could be spiritual laziness on the part of those who claim to follow Jesus.
Laziness shows up in many ways in the Church but the greatest danger is when we fail to pursue our own growth and maturity in the faith (2 Peter 3:18). This brand of laziness leaves us vulnerable to getting derailed by false religious doctrine, weakens our witness for Christ in the world and sets us up for a very unpleasant experience of judgment when we stand before the Lord. Growth has eternal implications. FAILURE to grow has even more!
No comments:
Post a Comment