I can assure you of this, good intentions never earned anyone anything, we are not what we eat, though it can adversely affect us, we are not what we allow ourselves to see, although that also can be extremely detrimental, we are what we do. External influences affect us only as much as we allow them to, the balancing point between grief and happiness must be maintained, to live in one or the other of any extreme will diminish who we can be in our totality of service to Christ.
I have found, and I believe firmly that it can be proven in the Scriptures, that the only view that can bring comfort and sanity in this sinful world is the eternal view, but even here problems may arise. How many brothers and sisters in Christ have you met that seem to find their only respite in the knowledge that “one day it will be better, one day all tears will be wiped away.” This planet is evil, it is nowhere anyone should want to spend any time at, but it is where the Lord has placed us, and we have a job to do, it is not supposed to be easy. Wickedness, whether it is in high places, (Eph. 6:12) or in the form of your next-door neighbor is to be addressed, always in love, always in firm truth.
I have had a saying I have gone by for many years, far before I was saved, it works for animals, children, even adults, but I did not realize until just recently that it is the way Almighty God also works. We must always try the first four first; love, care, compassion, and concern, but if they do not bring about the desired results, the final alternative will, pain. Pain always works, the pain in the time of the flood in Noah’s day, the pain of being taken captive in the days of Jeremiah, the pain of the approaching great and terrible day of the Lord. Good intentions availed no one then and they will accomplish the same today. Do, build the ark, do, warn the people, it is the Lord that has prepared the ark this time, and only those who have their lamps full will be leaving with Him.
There are few that have diligently sought for and found the narrow gate, (Matt. 7:14) many have simply taken for granted their salvation, if they have even truly been saved. These are those with only good intentions, no fruits have been produced by them, (Luke 13:9) their lives have not been crucified with Christ, they instead have followed form and tradition, they have sought not the fellowship of His suffering. They will be, and are even now, unprepared for what is approaching, they will continue to hope for better days, they will pray for the rapture, but they will be left behind. There were ten virgins with lamps, (Matt. 25:1-13) half were left behind, there were ten lepers who were healed, only one returned with praise on his lips. Good intentions avail nothing, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20)
What you do is what shows your love, how you serve is what exhibits your dedication, how you serve is what shows your intent. How much you despise this evil place is in direct correlation to the love you show towards the One to come, but it must be more than just the intent of the heart, it must be exhibited by our actions, words, deeds. Those of you who have no other desire than to glorify and lift up the name of Jesus understand exactly what I am speaking of, every opportunity that is offered you accept, no matter the consequences, the evil and wickedness of this world you abhor, those who speak of our Lord only as a passing thought puzzle you constantly, those who are deceived by the immediate, the so-called important events, are bewildering to you. There are those He has blessed beyond all measure, we are called His children, we serve, in great humility, for we are not worthy to be called, but we serve.
Idle thoughts hold little value to these individuals, if it is not for the glory of God, it serves no purpose. Unspeakable joy flows within us, frustration with those who will not serve is our daily companion, a heart for the lost is within us, and the Holy Spirit of God is our only comfort. The world is full of those who will call themselves Christians, the world is full of good intentions, but the world is far from full of those whose lamps are always kept full.
If fruit for the glory of God is being accomplished in your life, if your heart desires nothing more than to serve, if you know that you are unworthy to even be noticed by Almighty God, then your lamp is full. Pray that He will bless you to be able to keep it that way, for the bridegroom is approaching.
I have found, and I believe firmly that it can be proven in the Scriptures, that the only view that can bring comfort and sanity in this sinful world is the eternal view, but even here problems may arise. How many brothers and sisters in Christ have you met that seem to find their only respite in the knowledge that “one day it will be better, one day all tears will be wiped away.” This planet is evil, it is nowhere anyone should want to spend any time at, but it is where the Lord has placed us, and we have a job to do, it is not supposed to be easy. Wickedness, whether it is in high places, (Eph. 6:12) or in the form of your next-door neighbor is to be addressed, always in love, always in firm truth.
I have had a saying I have gone by for many years, far before I was saved, it works for animals, children, even adults, but I did not realize until just recently that it is the way Almighty God also works. We must always try the first four first; love, care, compassion, and concern, but if they do not bring about the desired results, the final alternative will, pain. Pain always works, the pain in the time of the flood in Noah’s day, the pain of being taken captive in the days of Jeremiah, the pain of the approaching great and terrible day of the Lord. Good intentions availed no one then and they will accomplish the same today. Do, build the ark, do, warn the people, it is the Lord that has prepared the ark this time, and only those who have their lamps full will be leaving with Him.
There are few that have diligently sought for and found the narrow gate, (Matt. 7:14) many have simply taken for granted their salvation, if they have even truly been saved. These are those with only good intentions, no fruits have been produced by them, (Luke 13:9) their lives have not been crucified with Christ, they instead have followed form and tradition, they have sought not the fellowship of His suffering. They will be, and are even now, unprepared for what is approaching, they will continue to hope for better days, they will pray for the rapture, but they will be left behind. There were ten virgins with lamps, (Matt. 25:1-13) half were left behind, there were ten lepers who were healed, only one returned with praise on his lips. Good intentions avail nothing, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20)
What you do is what shows your love, how you serve is what exhibits your dedication, how you serve is what shows your intent. How much you despise this evil place is in direct correlation to the love you show towards the One to come, but it must be more than just the intent of the heart, it must be exhibited by our actions, words, deeds. Those of you who have no other desire than to glorify and lift up the name of Jesus understand exactly what I am speaking of, every opportunity that is offered you accept, no matter the consequences, the evil and wickedness of this world you abhor, those who speak of our Lord only as a passing thought puzzle you constantly, those who are deceived by the immediate, the so-called important events, are bewildering to you. There are those He has blessed beyond all measure, we are called His children, we serve, in great humility, for we are not worthy to be called, but we serve.
Idle thoughts hold little value to these individuals, if it is not for the glory of God, it serves no purpose. Unspeakable joy flows within us, frustration with those who will not serve is our daily companion, a heart for the lost is within us, and the Holy Spirit of God is our only comfort. The world is full of those who will call themselves Christians, the world is full of good intentions, but the world is far from full of those whose lamps are always kept full.
If fruit for the glory of God is being accomplished in your life, if your heart desires nothing more than to serve, if you know that you are unworthy to even be noticed by Almighty God, then your lamp is full. Pray that He will bless you to be able to keep it that way, for the bridegroom is approaching.
