Should We Be Surprised?

Matthew 24:11"Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

It is really quite amazing how many Christians seem surprised by the deterioration of our society. Jesus has given us very specific insights into the last days.  While some preach and teach that the Church or the Kingdom of God will take over and set up a new utopia upon the earth before Jesus returns, Jesus didn't preach that.  Jesus said that "false prophets" will rise up and deceive many and from that deception a "growing cold" will occur.  Where will these frigid waters flow?  In the Church!  Only that which has been hot can grow cold.  The world won't grow cold because it has always been cold.  We must understand that at the core of this weakening of faith among the church is precipitated by false prophets and teachers.  This less than Truth teaching will result in a breaking down of the foundations leading to uncertainty, chaos and lawlessness.  From lawlessness comes backsliding.  

The good news is that regardless of circumstances around us in the world or even in the church, there will be a group that will "endure to the end".  Some have called this group the remnant.  The remnant term has been used for generations.  While some discredit the concept, to me it seems that is exactly what Jesus is saying will happen.  Then Jesus said in verse 14, "and this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."  This remnant or this "enduring to the end" group will be the ones that will preach the gospel of the kingdom and usher in the Second Coming of Jesus.  

Christian Behavior

Why do we do the things we do?  This question has been debated by philosophers throughout history.  Some would say that we live our lives based upon things we were taught as children by our parents, teachers and for some, the Church.  Our conscience was shaped and trained by early instruction.  Then we eventually go through an adherence to that formed conscience or a resistance to it.  Most form patterns of living their lives just doing what they "like to do" as their circumstances allow. Some people only eat meat, potatoes and desserts.  If you don't believe it just look around casually the next time you are in a restaurant.  See what the majority of folks eat. They eat what they want!  I know that sounds silly because after all, isn't that what we all do?  Not really.  I will order just what I want on occasion, but mostly I will eat a mixture of things I want to eat and things I need to eat.  Every time I go through a salad bar (which is a choice in itself) I will always come to the broccoli bowl.  Hmmmm....choices!  Should I lessen my enjoyment of my salad by adding broccoli?  After all, I really don't like it.  Most of the time I end up adding it and eating it because it is good for me even if it isn't good to me.  Also how much I eat is a part of that "choice process."  So what then is motivating "what I do?"  What is behind my choices?  Knowledge.  Knowledge narrows my choices.  Of course, that is true only to the degree that I have disciplined myself to follow knowledge in daily life choices. Then there is knowledge that comes from knowing the Scripture and more importantly having what the Bible calls the mind of Christ.  1 Cor. 2:16 tells us that "we understand...for we have the mind of Christ."  Having the mind of Christ is synonymous with the knowledge of the Scripture. Only those who have received Christ as Savior and Lord have this new dimension of knowledge called the Mind of Christ.   Yet, this increased knowledge for living life successfully requires a choice.  We may reject it and do the opposite while Truth is screaming on the inside to do right.  God has given us that ability to choose or reject.   

So, we are back to our original question.  "Why do we do the things we do?"  Our actions are determined by our level of knowledge and our choices regarding that knowledge.  As true Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we have the innate ability, unlike the world, to not only make the right choice but to remain faithful to that choice.  Actually, the simple natural action to choose rightly activates God's power to strengthen our faithfulness.  

Resuming Blog

I am looking forward to resuming the blog next Monday, August 18.  For several weeks I will deal with current challenges in the Christian life, obstacles to our success and our call to be 
OVERCOMERS.  I hope you will join me next Monday.  Encourage others to sign up to receive the blog each week. 

Thanks and Blessings!
L. A.