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It’s hard to believe that another year has past! For most of us, it’s a time to look back at the year past and consider the things that we did, and how well we did them. It also affords us the opportunity to look ahead to the coming year and resolve to do some things better. As Believers, we ought to consider our past and future deeds by spiritual standards, rather that the standards of the world. I have made a New Years resolution that I challenge you to make as well!
As Believers, we look forward to the soon coming of Messiah, and are filled with wonder as we see prophecy being fulfilled before our very eyes. Something that all the generations since Christ have longed to see. This special blessing brings with is a special responsibility.
2 Peter 1:19 “ We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star aris in your hearts”. This world is a dark place ruled by the Prince of Darkness, Satan and his fallen angels. Sin and transgression is the norm, and accepted without question by the world and it’s people. One need only pick up a newspaper, magazine, or switch on the evening news to confirm this fact. How true the words of scripture when it says, “There is none that doeth good, no not one”! The truth is, the only light in this dark world are Believers who love the lord and seek to do His will! Didn’t Jesus say “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”. Matt. 5:16
Our generation is “special” and “blessed” because we have been given the “sure word of prophecy” which is taking place as we watch. This special blessing bring with it the admonition that we must “take heed” that we become like a “light that shineth in a dark place”. When God tells to to “take heed”, it is a warning that we should not take lightly., and it comes with a strong sense of urgency. There are only two ways to “make our light shine” in this dark generation. To live a godly life, and to tell people about “the hope that is in is”!
Living a godly life is contrary to everything that the world stand for. Believers discern things from a spiritual prospective, and make decisions and life choices accordingly. This puts us at odds with unbelievers, and causes us to “stand out” from the crowd. This often makes Believers the subject of ridicule, and sometimes persecution . . . just as it did Jesus.
Telling people about the “hope that is in us” is nothing less that telling unbelievers about Jesus! While some Believers seem to be blessed with the gift of evangelism, and have an easy time sharing the gospel, most of us find it a difficult thing to do. After all, who wants to be the “subject of ridicule” or persecuted? Many of us try to “buy” our way out of witnessing by sending money to missionaries or evangelical groups that spread the gospel. They reason, “isn’t that just as good as me witnessing directly?” This is dangerous thinking!
Consider the sobering words of the prophet - Eze 33:1 - 6 “Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman. If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people. Then whosoever hearth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned, if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
As Believers, we are God’s appointed watchmen for the world. Jesus told us “ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh” Matt. 25:13 A watchman’s job is to “watch” and sound the alarm about impending judgement. If believers sound the alarm by telling unbelievers about Jesus, the consequences of their decision to reject the Saviour is clearly on their own heads. But, if as Believers, we do not sound the alarm, and unbelievers die and are subject to the judgement of God, their blood is on our hands.
Does that mean that we lose our salvation? God forbid! Jesus died for all of our sins, gave us his righteousness, and no man can pluck us out of His fathers hand. So what does it mean if “their blood is on our hands”? Honestly, I don’t know exactly, but I do know that I don’t want anyone’s blood on my hands. When I stand before my Messiah and Saviour, I don’t want to have to answer for why I did not fulfill my mission as a “watchman”.
So, my New Year’s resolution is to lead my life according to the words of Romans 1:16, “For I shall not be ashamed of the gospel of Messiah, for it is the power of God to all that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (gentile).” While we must share Messiah with all people, God’s word tells us to bring it to the Jew first! Why is that? Because “. . . as in times past have ye not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief; Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy”! God’s Chosen People, the Jews, were partially blinded to the truth of their own Messiah because of unbelief, and God used that to bring salvation to the gentiles. Now God wants us to extend that same mercy back to the Children of Israel.
Putting this into action can be difficult and uncomfortable for most of us, nevertheless, God commands us to do it. I can withstand being ridiculed and even persecuted by the world, but I cannot stand the thought of disappointing my Messiah, who did not disappoint me!
If Jesus is your Saviour, then YOU have also been appointed His watchman! He want’s your light to shine in the darkness of this fallen and sinful world. Let’s stand together! Will you make this your resolution as well, until Jesus returns? Please e-mail me to let me know of your decision at: info@shilohgraphics.
Ron Cusano
Shiloh Ministries January 2003 Edition
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