October 21st 2018
Tell Someone Who Does Not Believe, That Jesus Christ Is The One And Only Savior, If You Have An Opportunity!
1Peter 4:16-17 (NIV)
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
At the time of the selected verses the early church members were being persecuted, and here Peter is trying to emphasize the importance of not being ashamed of their belief in Jesus Christ. Certainly, being willing to admit they were followers of Jesus Christ could and likely would cause them to be persecuted even by those people who live with them as neighbors. Today in the USA we may be coming to a point in time when believers may be mistreated, if/when we admit to being Christians. Free exercise of our belief system is already being viewed as disruptive of the freedom of our neighbors. We have seen the display of religious symbols being disallowed as they are considered as offensive to other citizens of the USA. We have seen the display of Christmas symbols being outlawed in the so-called public squares. No Christian displays are now allowed in government held areas.
We learn from the Bible that the name Christian was first used for people who became followers of Jesus Christ in the time when Saul was being renamed as Paul. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26). Soon Paul and Peter would begin to work together to take the Christian faith to the Gentiles, as God had planned, and Christianity would begin to grow as new disciples were being brought into the faith. At times the persecution of Christians made meeting in public places dangerous and caused the early church to have to meet in underground or secluded places.
Today in the USA we are still allowed to meet in churches to worship God, but it makes me wonder how long this will be possible without some fear of gathering and thus identifying yourself as a Christian! My intent here is not to cause anyone reading this to fear going to the church of your choice to worship God. The hope may be of alerting all Christians to do their best to become more like minded with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Solidarity is important, as the more likeminded we are the stronger our resolve will be to help each other to reduce any fear of public worship meetings in the church of your choice. Afterall, all Christians are supposed to be the one body of Jesus Christ on this earth. All members of every church claiming to be Christian also claim to be a part of the body of Jesus Christ!
In the book of Daniel, we read about a time when God’s chosen people were taken from their homeland and forced to live in the countries of the people who took them as prisoners. One such story tells of men who elected to defy the orders of the king to openly adore a god structure made of gold. They knew that if they did not bow down and adore this god, they would be killed, yet they chose to refuse. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18). Take note of what these men say about the God of the Bible that they show adoration to, and what He is capable of doing for them. Most important here, to me, is the conditional statement they used to describe this God. First, they say, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.” Then they say what is more important here, when the said, “But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
These men were not sure that God would save them from this fiery death, but they believed God could save them! This kind of faith sometimes leads to people being martyred for their faith. In this biblical account. God did save them for the sure death sentence. Next in this account we see how this great faith and the outcome impresses this worldly king. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. (Daniel 3:28-30)
Let us pray today that there will be some form of revival in the USA, and even around this world so that mankind will not continue to worship a god or gods that are not gods, but their influence is demonic not Godly. Satan and his fallen angels are doing a good job in keeping mankind separated and lacking love for each other around this world. Paul wrote about the need of mankind coming to believe in the one God, which is the God of the Bible! I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. (1Timothy 2:3-6)
Do your part, tell someone who does not believe, that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior, if you have an opportunity. The big change will not happen until Jesus returns to this earth as the world leader, and defeats Satan and brings peace to the new earth. However, a little improvement would help make this a better and safer place to live!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1Peter 4:16-17 (NIV)
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
At the time of the selected verses the early church members were being persecuted, and here Peter is trying to emphasize the importance of not being ashamed of their belief in Jesus Christ. Certainly, being willing to admit they were followers of Jesus Christ could and likely would cause them to be persecuted even by those people who live with them as neighbors. Today in the USA we may be coming to a point in time when believers may be mistreated, if/when we admit to being Christians. Free exercise of our belief system is already being viewed as disruptive of the freedom of our neighbors. We have seen the display of religious symbols being disallowed as they are considered as offensive to other citizens of the USA. We have seen the display of Christmas symbols being outlawed in the so-called public squares. No Christian displays are now allowed in government held areas.
We learn from the Bible that the name Christian was first used for people who became followers of Jesus Christ in the time when Saul was being renamed as Paul. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26). Soon Paul and Peter would begin to work together to take the Christian faith to the Gentiles, as God had planned, and Christianity would begin to grow as new disciples were being brought into the faith. At times the persecution of Christians made meeting in public places dangerous and caused the early church to have to meet in underground or secluded places.
Today in the USA we are still allowed to meet in churches to worship God, but it makes me wonder how long this will be possible without some fear of gathering and thus identifying yourself as a Christian! My intent here is not to cause anyone reading this to fear going to the church of your choice to worship God. The hope may be of alerting all Christians to do their best to become more like minded with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Solidarity is important, as the more likeminded we are the stronger our resolve will be to help each other to reduce any fear of public worship meetings in the church of your choice. Afterall, all Christians are supposed to be the one body of Jesus Christ on this earth. All members of every church claiming to be Christian also claim to be a part of the body of Jesus Christ!
In the book of Daniel, we read about a time when God’s chosen people were taken from their homeland and forced to live in the countries of the people who took them as prisoners. One such story tells of men who elected to defy the orders of the king to openly adore a god structure made of gold. They knew that if they did not bow down and adore this god, they would be killed, yet they chose to refuse. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18). Take note of what these men say about the God of the Bible that they show adoration to, and what He is capable of doing for them. Most important here, to me, is the conditional statement they used to describe this God. First, they say, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.” Then they say what is more important here, when the said, “But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."
These men were not sure that God would save them from this fiery death, but they believed God could save them! This kind of faith sometimes leads to people being martyred for their faith. In this biblical account. God did save them for the sure death sentence. Next in this account we see how this great faith and the outcome impresses this worldly king. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way." Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. (Daniel 3:28-30)
Let us pray today that there will be some form of revival in the USA, and even around this world so that mankind will not continue to worship a god or gods that are not gods, but their influence is demonic not Godly. Satan and his fallen angels are doing a good job in keeping mankind separated and lacking love for each other around this world. Paul wrote about the need of mankind coming to believe in the one God, which is the God of the Bible! I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. (1Timothy 2:3-6)
Do your part, tell someone who does not believe, that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior, if you have an opportunity. The big change will not happen until Jesus returns to this earth as the world leader, and defeats Satan and brings peace to the new earth. However, a little improvement would help make this a better and safer place to live!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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