LEARNING DAILY

Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

So often I write this blog as a reaction to something I hear or read, about something that catches my attention. Just before writing this morning, I was browsing the news headlines and saw an article that was titled 15 Reasons people are Turning Away From Religion. The list included science/skepticism, individualism over institutional religion, rigidity issues, diverse spiritual options, freedom in spiritual exploration, scandals and broken trusts, free flowing information, negative experiences with religion, focus on individualism (self), rise of atheism/agnosticism, changing morality, inclusivity, a secular society, and busy lifestyles. Whew! That is quite the list.

Here is what I read as I read that list. “Did God really say….?” I read these and remember what God commanded the Israelites to do when they entered the Promised Land – destroy all those who live there so you are not influenced by their pagan, ungodly beliefs and way of life. I read choices involving self being made over following the priorities of God. I read the choice of walking on the broad way instead of choosing to walk on the narrow way. I “hear” those mocking the increasing the return on the Lord Jesus Christ because He has not done so – yet.

The deceiver, the liar, the devil is certainly at work in the world today. I have written often about the deception of the last days and Timothy’s description of the “perilous times coming in the last days”; those days have certainly come upon us. Review the list above and see how self-centeredness is at the center of almost every item. The individual’s priorities have become more important than God’s. People are going to do what they want, when they want even if it means putting the Creator of all things, the One who is sitting on the throne of heaven at the end of their “To Do” list. People choose to follow any whim that comes around that makes them “feel good” and helps them “justify” their beliefs regardless of how far it takes them from following God.

When Jesus walked the earth with His disciples He encouraged (Perhaps it was an admonishment!) them to watch, be alert, and be ready for His return. That encouragement is even more important as time goes on, as the time for His return for His Church is drawing closer. I have just written about our priorities; I am so impressed to once again encourage you to make sure your priorities center around walking the narrow way into God’s kingdom. Read and remember this: The kingdom of God is a way of life right now! It is not something we do once we get to heaven. Yes, some consider walking the narrow way to be a “rigid’ way of life. By following it the only thing a person misses out on is sin. You might want to meditate on that thought. Go back the list and notice how many items are about fulfilling the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Instead of focusing on one’s self, walking with Jesus becomes about the needs of others, loving and praying for others, and spending time reading/studying/meditating on God’s Word and being obedient to it.

I often pray the words found in The Revelation 22:20, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” My desire is that the Lord Jesus comes soon and takes His Church out of this world. I pray that the last person to be written in His Book of Life says “yes” to His offer of salvation. I also know far too many people are walking with the ideas in this list - turning away from God. God’s priority is that all would be saved and walk a narrow way. Believers must continue to pray for the lost to be saved and still be alert and listening for that trumpet to sound that will call us to be with Jesus!