I expect our dog to act like a dog, I do not expect him to be able to comprehend even the most simple mathematical equations, I expect him to be proficient as much as God has enabled him to be in canine matters. I expect the lost to act and behave as they do, concerned with the immediate, with the cares of this world and their supposed place in it, they are wicked, (Prov. 4:14) and so it is no surprise to me when they act wickedly. They are swine, (Matt. 7:6) they wallow in their own selfish ambition and lusts, they do not know perfect love, (1 John 4:18) for they live in a form of constant fear, fear of not being good enough, of not having enough, they fear the sting of death, and they are to be pitied, for their end without Christ is the never ending eternal punishment of pain, sorrow, and hopelessness.
I expect those who profess Christ as Lord to behave and order their lives in a certain manner, one of complete submission and servitude, one of continuing adoration and praise, one that seeks the lost, lifts up the brethren, reproves and corrects when necessary, one that speaks the truth in love with firm conviction. What I find today are those who are instead fearful to mention the name of Christ, those who are allowing the corrupt systems they live in to regulate when and where they can worship, who they can and cannot express their love of Christ to, I see believers in the Lord Jesus Christ with the fear of personal retribution instead of the firm faith they will espouse in private.
There is a remnant of course, the Lord God has always kept a remnant in reserve for Himself, but they are becoming much more difficult to find. Most now simply keep their mouths closed and do what they are told to do. I recently heard of a pastor who was told by the assumed powers that be that if he did not lock his church doors that he would be fined and possibly imprisoned. His response? “Well, I have never had the opportunity for a prison ministry, I look forward to it.”
You may chuckle at this if you so desire, you may even go ahead and find strength in it, but let us see. You may have been told to wear a mask, you have been told to stay away from people, you have been told to lock your church doors, have you? Are your reasons for doing so justifiable as a born-again believer who loves to say, “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21) What will you submit to next, when the supposed vaccine arrives, will you be the first to roll up your sleeve, what of the food rations, the removal of part of your financial gains to assist the “less fortunate, the hardest hit.” How far do you plan on going before you finally say, “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7)
It is amazing to me how many who call Christ Lord are so easily led astray, they cannot see the subtle signs, they believe the lies, they fall into the first trap in the road. There are people who will be left behind, those who never knew Him in their hearts, (Romans 1:21) when the time comes to receive the mark so they are able to buy and sell, they all wait in line as long as it takes. They will never bear the mark of Christ. If you are acquiescing to the demands of the world and the false pretenses and lies that Satan has used throughout the ages, then Proverbs 24:10 fits you well, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”
The Almighty expects His children to behave accordingly, faithfully, wise and spiritually discerning, in the power of His might, with truth and love, but far too many are now being deceived, even by the most basic of lies, what will happen when the battle becomes strong, when the lies become harder to discern. “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” (Mark 13:22) Those who are not the elect are being weeded out, the fields are white, prepared for the harvest, weeds are not harvested, they are thrown into the fire.