SINCE HE IS COMING

 

Saturday, May 20, 2023

 

SINCE HE IS COMING

 

1 Peter 1:17-19

17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: KJV

 

Heb 4:1

4 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.  KJV

 

          Christians are often condemned by unbelievers of offering pie-in-the-sky to influence us to avoid our pie now by rigid obedience to archaic rules. Another strong-arm tactic of evangelism, they say, is fear, as we see it in the verses above. This word cannot be softened even by more modern translations, if they are honest because it is the Greek word phobeo which demands the strict interpretation.

 

          Nevertheless, Peter reminds his readers of a God of Judgment, and we think there is an insinuation of the Flood of Noah. The follow-up prophecies of another global destruction by fire are not softened entirely by the rainbow. The warning in verse 17 is prompted by the fact presented in verse 16. God is Holy and requires holiness of his followers.

 

          If we see the end of days as far off, we may be inclined to continue our petty differences and selfish ways. However, if we believe that His coming is imminent, that He could come at any moment, we might be more cautious with our complaints, demands, and differences. We might consider living a holy life. We might consider maintaining a godly reverence for godly things. This is what it means to be “God fearing.”

 

 Prov 28:14

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. KJV

 

Dear Lord, remind us often that at any moment we might be called before your throne. Help us by Thy Spirit to be ready at that time. AMEN