Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Revelations 3: 10-12 KJV
Have you contended for this faith that has been entrusted in your care? Are you ready to sacrifice for the faith you have in God? God is saying to us this morning to wake up and contend for the faith. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling!
It is in our hands but a lot of us want everything to be done for us. Jesus says He is coming soon and we are to hold on to what is in our hands as we would get the reward. It begins with the fear of God; the word says “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”.
Jesus is coming soon; we need to stop playing religion. The bible says, “wake up Christian”. Today Jesus is showing up to people who are ready and willing. There is eternity in the form of hell and heaven.
Are you heavenly bound? Is your focus on heaven? 2 Corinthians 5: 10 KJV. Nobody is thinking of making it to heaven anymore, we are more concerned about earthly things and the things that are material. Christians today live as though there is no heaven, as though we are not going anywhere. We are in a race and there are only 2 destinations; heaven or hell. Where will you spend your eternity? Your salvation is not in the hands of any man, it is not in the hands of any pastor. It is in your hands.
Do you know God; do you fear God? The bible tells us “let this mind be in you which was in Jesus Christ”. How can we say we know Christ and are Christ-like and still act the way we act; do the things that we do?
A lot of us think we have many more years. Our lives and the length of it is in God’s hands. It is not about how long we live; it is about how well we live. About the quality of life that we live. Not about the gossips and back biting, stealing, fornicating and doing all those things that are not right.
When God spoke to Israel after they left Egypt, the children of Israel became afraid and asked that Moses speak with God and relate to them. We are no longer afraid. The enemy has come up with the last joke, “the gospel of grace” The preaching today is once you have confessed Jesus once, it doesn’t matter how you live your life, you will make heaven. The bible says we cannot say because we have grace then we will remain in sin. A lot of Christians now believe that they can follow Christ and remain in the world. Remain in their sins because they have been told they are covered by grace. Our eternity is not guaranteed because you have confessed Christ and accepted Him as Lord; You must follow up on this by living a life given us by Christ; a life that shuns sin and all the love of the world. The question is; will you be ready? The bible says; “woe unto them that are at ease in Zion”. Amos 6: 1.
Many years ago, an American Pastor talked about it saying; if you listen carefully you will hear the shuffling of the footsteps of Jesus Christ because He is preparing to come. There are many signs that Jesus is coming. Begin to repent today my brothers and sisters. We plan years ahead for family, life, business, marriage, and all the things of the world but not about our eternity.
Repent, move closer to Him; for God searches the heart of men. Ask God for forgiveness, to strengthen you, to keep your focus on him. He is the author and finisher of your faith. Jesus is the way, truth and life; it is through Him that we go to the father; through Him that that we are sure of eternity. You cannot afford to miss your eternity in heaven. Do not spend your time on those things that would perish with this earth. Instead focus on those things that would take you to heaven because after all, heaven is your home.
Run from the frivolities of the world; run from the fleeting things that ends with life here on earth, run from sin. The key to eternity is to be right with God; it is not about how often you go to church. The stage is set for the coming of Christ; for rapture to take place; for the tribulation before the end to start.
