In the End

In the End

by Woodrow Kroll

The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so.  But what will you do in the end?

                                   —Jeremiah 5:31 (NKJV)

Picture Credit: Google

Everything that begins also ends.  Beautiful buildings are erected, but eventually they are torn down.  Seeds sprout and grow into plants, but after their season they, too, come to an end.  Even the universe, as we now know it, will some day be destroyed (Revelation. 21:1).  It is only reasonable, then, that as we begin something we must keep in mind that  it eventually will come to an end—and then what?

That was God’s warning to Israel.  They were being misled by those who were responsible for their spiritual welfare.  The prophets and priests were telling the people only what they wanted to hear, which was fine with them.  They didn’t want to be confronted with their sins.  They loved the sugarcoated messages and the false assurances.  But God inquired, “What will you do in the end?”  What will you do when reality knocks on the door and you no longer can continue to deny the truth?  Everything that begins has an end—and then what will you do?

As you live your life, don’t forget that one day it, too, will end.  And then what? God’s Word indicates that all Christians must stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account of ourselves (Romans. 14:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10).  This is not to determine our salvation but the value of our works.  All those things that are built upon the lies of the world are only wood, hay and straw, and they will be burned up (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).  In the end, only what you have done for Christ will last.

As you go through your day, evaluate what you do in light of the end you know is coming.  When you stand before the judgment Seat of Christ, will the things you’ve given your life to really matter?  Commit yourself to do that which is of eternal value.

The end is coming—and then what will you do?

An adaptation from the book

 GIANTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: “LESSONS ON LIVING FROM  JEREMIAH

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Source:

Back to the Bible Intl.

Confident Living Magazine, Secunderabad

The Temple of God

The Temple of God

by William MacDonald

(Author of the Believer's Bible Commentary)

Pic. Credit: IamwithJesus.com

"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him.

For the temple of God is holy, which temple  you are."               (1 CORINTHIANS 3:17).

In this verse, the temple of God refers to the local assembly.  Paul is not speaking to individual Christians but to believers collectively when he says "which temple you (plural) are.             "The saints in Corinth comprised a temple of God."

It is also true, of course, that individual believers are a temple of the Holy Spirit.  The Apostle brings this out in 1 Corinthians 6: 19:  “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  The Holy Spirit of God dwells in the body of every child of God.

But in our text for today, it is the assembly that is in view.  Paul is saying that if any man destroys the assembly, God will destroy him.  It is the same word that is translated “defile” and “destroy” in this verse.  “It is used of marring a local church by leading it away from that conditions of holiness of life and purity of doctrine in which it should abide, and of God’s retributive destruction of the offender who is guilty of this sin”  (W. E. Vine).

So our verse warns us that it is a serious thing to tamper with a local fellowship.  In fact, it is a form of self-destruction.  Yet how diffident people often are in this very area.  Here is a man who doesn't get his own way in the assembly.  Or he becomes involved in a violent personality clash with some other brother.  Rather than make things right in a scriptural manner, he lines up people to take his side and forms a faction in the church.   Things go from bad to worse and soon there is an open split.

Or perhaps it is a carnal sister who carries on a campaign of gossip and backbiting against someone else.  Her slanderous tongue lashes out until the church is filled with bitterness and strife.  She will not stop until a once-prosperous assembly lies in ruins.

People like this are playing a perilous game.  They cannot get away with it.  The Great God of the universe is committed to wreck those who wreck His assembly.

Let all who are inclined to faction, beware!

An adaptation from the book ONE DAY AT A TIME 
by William MacDonald (The author of "Believers BibleCommentary) 

To Read a portion from the commentary Please Click on the Below Link:

The Believers's Bible Commentary 

(A Complete Bible Commentary in one volume)

PS: 
Copies of this commentary is now available from Back to the Bible Head Office for a donation of Rs.1300/- (Including Packing and Postage)

Source: 
William MacDonald, 
Gospel Folio Press, 
Moriah Ministries, Chennai.
Confident Living Magazine, Secunderabad

Pledge Your Allegiance

Picture Credit: geekofthedoom.com

And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. (Genesis 12:8)

                                                                    

Many professional athletes proudly wear the corporate logo or company colors of those who sponsor them.  They have no qualms at all in identifying themselves with the products and purposes of those who finance their careers.

When Abraham pitched his tents near Bethel, he boldly identified himself with the Lord.  God not only called him to leave family and all that was familiar, but also provided for his needs along the way.  In response, Abraham built an altar to God.  This was not only an act of worship but also a public declaration to everyone who saw it that he was a worshiper of Yahweh.  Furthermore, "he called on the name of the LORD”—that is, he publicly acknowledged his commitment to and need for the God of Israel.

 As Christians, we are to boldly identify ourselves with the Lord as well. Be prepared.  This may cost you the friendship of those who prefer the praises of the world.  It may mean that you will experience ridicule and rejection.  But Jesus reminds us, “Whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God.  But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God”  (Luke 12:8-9).

Make your allegiance known.  Wherever you may be, with whomever you may be, refuse to hide your commitment to the One who loves you and provides for your salvation.  Jesus suffered the shame of the cross for your; be willing to suffer the ridicule of the world for Him.     

“There’s no place in God’s service for secret agents”

                                                          
                                                     —by Dr. Woodrow Kroll

                                             ~~~