Life with all its uncertainties marches on before us, until it is no more. Perhaps we do not think much about it. Yet, all around us there are wars. Spiritual wars and those created by humans. Wars within our borders and outside. You might say, not here in the USA. But are there not? When the FBI shows up with guns drawn on a father and his 11 children because he sang Christian songs at an abortion center or blocks of cities burn in the name of protest. Am I to respond with anger or fear? Jesus Christ as my Savior. Therefore, knowing Jesus could return today, why does my life look the same as everyone else at times? Why should I get angry when a car cuts me off? Should I not be a little more patient with the grandkids?
More importantly, who do I know or pass each day that does not know Jesus? Did I reach out to them with love today? Regardless of their response, what should mine be.
Knowing Jesus Transforms Me
Jesus after his resurrection spoke to Peter. He told Peter that he too would be crucified. Jesus told the apostles He would return. At that Peter first asked about the others. Would they be present when Christ returns? But Jesus responded with, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:22 KJV) Previously Jesus spoke, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. What things had He spoken? He had just completed telling them that He was the Vine and they the branches. His joy and love would perfect them in Him. Without Him, I can do nothing. But with Him I see the world through eyes of love, not hate and fear.
Peter then with the power of the Spirit, no longer ran in fear and dismay. Instead, he wrote instructions on how we are to live Knowing Jesus could return today. Despite being beaten, jailed and persecuted, Peter marched on proclaiming the name of Jesus in word and humble servanthood. Bold to speak the word. Meek in our response to persecution.
1 Peter 2:
1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious
Point #1: Desire the milk of the word—It is the nourishment our hearts need. Also it is our only offensive weapon. We are to stand firm on its truth. Preaching and proclaiming it as God’s unerring word of Truth.
Why Knowing Jesus brings life and Hope?
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who [b]are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
8 and
“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Point #2 Knowing Jesus—is He precious to you? More precious than any treasure?
How are we to Act Then when trials come?
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.
Knowing Jesus, we follow His example
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
So, are we to remain silent?
No, Knowing Jesus, we speak boldly of His being the only hope of Salvation. Without Him, we are nothing. But in Him, we have everything. Knowing Jesus, the most unloving thing we can do is to keep silent and allow others to die in their sin and ignorance. But we are to do so without malice and without anger. We must speak boldly shining light into darkness and trust God to complete His work in us and through us to the world.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4 NKJV)
Therefore, Knowing Jesus Could Return today, I must begin each day in His word and then go forth boldly to speak truth into the darkness, never worrying about the consequences to myself. God will provide me with the strength, the hope and the joy needed to praise Him through whatever may come my way.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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