John answered, saying unto them all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and will gather the wheat into His garner; but the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable." And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people." (Luke 3:16-18)
In the last days, as described in the scriptures, perilous times and ominous dark clouds of ism‘s manifest satanic propelled disturbed minds of evil power. Evil isms arising with a mindset that if they kill anyone who opposes their fanatical beliefs that they would be serving God! Indeed, God's Word of truth declares that the times would become so turbulent that except those days be shortened, no flesh would be saved.
Therefore, this is a good time to examine yourselves -- to see if you are really in the faith. Or, is your walk with God just a vocation, a 9 to 5 thing, like a wage? The story of the goose and the golden egg comes to mind. What would you rather have -- the goose or the egg? Well, some choose the golden egg for obvious reasons -- for immediate and personal gain. Other more informed humans choose the goose. Why? Because the ones who choose the goose will reap the benefits from a goose producing a lot more eggs, for a longer period of time.
Therefore, the message herein (as the scriptures invite) is for us to labour not for the things which perish, but labour instead for the things that endure -- such as everlasting life. Yes, sinning might pay wages but as it is written, the wages of sin in the long-term is death.
The same example can be used in both individual and national contexts. While we are born into this world with a blank slate, admittedly, evil already exists. If we are the offspring of parents who delight in doing evil, chances are we can be directly impinged and drawn into this spiralling downward life cycle. In a broader context, if we are born into a country where good is the rule of law and wherein hopefully the spirit of the law is still embedded constitutionally, then the nation prospers! As the scriptures state, any nation that honours God, God will exalt that nation. Conversely, however, any nation that rejects the counsel of God, will be turned into Hell.
It is in this context that light has come into the world, known as an inner light. If man endeavours to walk in that inner light, then that man or woman will not stumble. Unfortunately, man has inherited a fallen nature so that when he would do the right thing, invariably he or she is deceived and tempted through the temptation of sin that indwells his body. This causes them to succumb and often influenced by the prevailing customs of their surroundings.
But the good news is that the light of the world is seen in full display in Jesus! Yes, Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins! Seeds of the Spirit of God were implanted into Eve and Abraham’s seed bank. A new blood line flowed in Jesus veins, the flesh covering the fetus that was sin prone, bringing to the Holy Ghost fetus all the temptations common to all men. The fetus blood, bone and Spirit were of God and are God. The one God who made all things. You and I are His workmanship.
Man cannot by himself keep the law. He can do so only if the presence of God’s Spirit dwells within us as the inner light. God impresses on our conscience that we need a saviour. We need a comforter. We were created to have fellowship with God. Fellowship is not a form. Fellowship is friendship and companionship in the most comprehensive fashion.
As such, associate yourself directly with God by standing in the offering plate. Be baptized by immersion -- not sprinkling -- and into the name of Jesus. In return, the inner light Jesus will immerse you in His love! Love the Lord your God, Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Most of all, seek to serve the same God who loved you so much that He would take our place on the cross.
Stand in the offering plate.
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