I woke up this morning with these verses on my mind: “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:7-8). All too often, people want to judge Christians by a standard THEY create and not the Biblical one. They want us to keep our “religion” in our “Church” but then want to regulate what is said from the pulpit and which verses are acceptable or not. And some of them infiltrate the Church, are in it for themselves, and seek their own glory, building for themselves Kingdoms instead of focusing on God and His Kingdom.
Do you note how God lumps the cowardly, faithless and liars in with the detestable, the murderous, the sexually immoral, the sorcerers, and idolaters? This is alarming! And this should have us all, like the Disciples when Jesus said “one of you will betray me,” asking “is it me, Lord?” Every one of these traits have something in common that we should all drop to our knees and beg for mercy for: selfishness. The faithless abandon the work before it is done, seeking their needs, wants, wishes and desires above God’s call and their brothers need. Liars say what is going to get them further in this world, but their actions and words are two different subjects altogether, and they seek only personal gain. The Cowardly seek only their own safety and security, and run far and fast, even siding with enemies, to preserve their own life, kingdom and comfort. Is it a wonder God lumps all of these things together?
Loved ones, I’m done mincing words. We need to choose where we stand, and we need to make sure everyone understands what our position is. I’m with Jesus, and if I lose friends and family over it (which I have), then so be it. I love each and every person, but Jesus is my God and King, and I will let nothing and no one deter me. I will let my yes be “yes” and no be “no.” I will seek God and His glory, and the welfare of my neighbor through God’s love and mercy. I won’t apologize for it. I will flip tables and pronounce woes if I have to. But I will do anything I can to call out darkness and get people to Jesus. He is the only hope of this world which is passing away. In Him, and Him alone is life, and peace, and forgiveness. So it’s time to stop mincing words and proclaim His goodness, in word and in action no matter the cost.
2 Timothy 1:3-12
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us toa a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.
Revelation 20:11-2:8
Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
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