“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of WICKEDNESS, EVIL, GREED AND DEPRAVITY. They are full of ENVY, MURDER, STRIFE, DECEIT and MALICE. They are GOSSIPS, SLANDERERS, GOD-HATERS, INSOLENT, ARROGANT AND BOASTFUL; they invent ways of doing EVIL; they DISOBEY THEIR PARENTS; they are SENSELESS, FAITHLESS, HEARTLESS, RUTHLESS (capitals mine). Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Romans 1:25-32 (NIV)
Kind of sounds like today’s world doesn’t it?
For many of us old enough to remember, there have always been these sins existing in the world, but they were not condoned publicly and even encouraged as they are today. There have always been very evil people doing horrible things but today it seems that these same evil leaders are being followed by many who espouse the same feelings and behavior. Surely this is indicative of the warnings we have received throughout the Bible when Jesus explains what the world will be like in the Last Days. Now please don’t misread the Bible Scripture I have quoted above. We are ALL sinful beings requiring the Grace of God and His pardon for our sins. However, Jesus Christ died on the cross as THE sacrifice for our sins. IF we only accept His offer of Salvation and ask for forgiveness, we will be saved! As I have previously written in Don’t condemn, but DO NOT condone either! our job is to try to recognize our own sins and ask God for Forgiveness. We are not saved by condemning others, but we must know and recognize what is sin in God’s eyes.
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things.”
Romans 2:1 (NIV)
Judge not, lest you be judged!
As we quickly approach the Rapture of the True Believers, it is critical for each and every one of us, regardless of how we view our lives, to seek out the Lord with all our heart and soul. We must recognize our own sins as God describes what is sin in His eyes and ask for His forgiveness. If we do this, we will be saved! These are not my words. They are His Word! Please take comfort in knowing God loves each and every one of us more than we can ever imagine but He must still adhere to His Law. Sin separates us from God but when our sins are forgiven, we are saved! This is something we must all pass along to our friends and family as we “…therefore comfort one another with these words.” We all can do so much more for this world and for our loved ones to make sure they know His Truth and His Promises than simply condemning their (or our own) sins.
Please let others know today what awaits them if they only follow His commandments to us and His Loving willingness to forgive us if we only believe in Him, repent of our sins and ask for His forgiveness. May God Bless you as we continue our journey towards soon meeting with Jesus in the clouds at the Rapture.