A deliberate ignoring of truth
This week I went to see the movie 2012. People streamed out of the movie, commenting on trying to find a safe place to live -- maybe in Africa? Himalayas?
These thoughts may be natural and understandable, but they are not accurate. Nor ultimately salvific. Salvation is not by means of "a safe place" or billion dollar seat on a postmodern Ark. Salvation is all about the inner recesses of the heart, in relation with the Lord of eternity.
Listen to the words of Scripture:
First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!’ They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. [2 Pet. 3:3-10].
A hard heart says, "Let me spend whatever I must spend to live somewhere 'safe,' but let me not change my way of life! Let me not change my focus, let me not change my heart -- no!"
But a heart softened by grace and yearning for God says, "Lord, teach me your ways. Set me right with you, so that I will be ready for you, whenever that day may come!"
Selah.
4 comments:
Luke 21:34-36
Jesus said to his disciples: "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."
Thanks, Loy, you help us to be vigilant.
Thanks, John. Great to hear from you. And apt addition from Sunday's lectionary! Thank you.
Good to hear your shout out... I wondered if you were still out there! :-) Trust all is well.
Loy
Oh, that He would rip the heavens and come today! Why would a Christian want Him to tarry?
Listener, perhaps our Maranatha! is tempered by "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done..."
God is not slow as some count slowness, but is patient with us, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. The slowness of God is not the absence of God, but rather a phase of His wise justice and concern [Forsyth].
Selah.
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