31/08/2023 - USELESS EXHORTATION

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For I earnestly exhorted your fathers in the day I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, until this day, rising early and exhorting, saying, “Obey My voice.”   Jeremiah 11.7

The Lord was in a hurry in the command given to Jeremiah, because this was the last divine attempt to give the Israelites the happiness of remaining in Canaan, the Promised Land. I am distressed to think that the same haste includes us, and we don’t realize it. Now, those who do not do God’s will may be prevented from entering the eternal home (Matthew 7.21). What are we doing with the power given to us? We have been speaking in tongues, but not the language that the lost need to hear. Until when?

Jesus warned that in the last days we would live like the people of Noah’s time, who were only interested in material possessions: But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matthew 24.37). Christ is coming back, but people only want to know about the new clothes to go to the party, the new house, and the other blessings. Unfortunately, doing the will of God has been forgotten.

We haven’t cared whether our family members are saved or not, and this is serious. When Jesus returns, those who do not stand firm will perish forever. Why do we conduct ourselves in this way if the guilt will be upon us? If this is true, will we go up with Him? What are we doing with God’s work? Are we evading like Esther, the Jewess who became the queen of Persia? She only acted when Mordecai was hard on her (Esther 4.14). Wake up!

Where were the preacher Noah’s church members, a servant who did not turn away from divine righteousness? Jesus talked about what they were doing: For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark (Matthew 24.38). Isn’t this what we see in our days? Do we help God’s work, or do we spend our resources on designer clothes? Will He come to get us?

Apparently, the Lord’s return will be a time of torment for those who disregard the danger in which they are living in. The Savior warned about this carnal behavior, in which one thinks only of the last trend: and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matthew 24.39). The poor members of Noah’s church knocked on the door to open it, but it had already been shut by the Lord (Genesis 7.16)!

The Almighty is protesting against our lifestyle because He loves us and doesn’t want to leave us here. Thus, we must comply with His instructions. What are you waiting for at His return? Where do you put your tithes, your missions offering and your faith? God has not called you to be a financial empire, but to be useful in the work that pleases Him the most. From the time of the departure from Egypt until that day, the Lord protested, but the Israelites would not listen to Him.

Before thinking about the return of Christ, or the next Holy Supper in which you will participate, examine yourself and thus eat of the bread, as Paul wrote (1 Corinthians 11.28). We want to feed on the holy Bread every time we open the Bible or go to church, but do we reflect on our attitudes? Those who give themselves to the flesh should remember that it is good for nothing (John 6.63). Be alert!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares