When we come INTO CHRIST JESUS, it is said; we get our head out of this very limited Earthly time, and into eternity! AS we are taught, we focus on that ABOVE, NOT on matters of the world (COLOSSIANS 3: 2), save for those matters which we, THROUGH THE LORD, can improve, and correct, for the good of others, and FOR HIS GLORY TO SHINE IN this troubled world...
Time has many layers, and levels, and also, holds many dangers, as IN the nano-seconds of time, we find deception, lies, falsehoods, distractions, enticement, and on it goes, UNLESS we USE time to SERVE OUR LORD *GOD* WHICH IS OUR PURPOSE TO HIS WILL, FOR HIS GLORY, and the betterment of others, that they TOO might step into their TRUTH! We HAVE been CREATED FOR HIS GLORY, and IN this time, our work IS to cause HIS GLORY to SHINE THROUGH the darkness, THAT more, and more WILL return TO HIM, and their TRUTH!!!
Christians HAVE work to do! Our carnality, IF IN CHRIST, is gone; we are NOW beings of SPIRIT, therefore, imitating HIM in all we think, say, or do; existing FOR HIM, and our inheritance, which is NOT of this world, and SHALL be eternally fulfilling (2 CORINTHIANS 5: 17)!!!
The renewed man acts upon new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company. The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct. These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things. Baptism teaches the necessity of dying to sin, and being as it were buried from all ungodly and unholy pursuits, and of rising to walk with God in newness of life. Unholy professors may have had the outward sign of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness, but they never passed from the family of Satan to that of God. The corrupt nature, called the old man, because derived from our first father Adam, is crucified with Christ, in every true believer, by the grace derived from the cross. It is weakened and in a dying state, though it yet struggles for life, and even for victory. But the whole body of sin, whatever is not according to the holy law of God, must be done away, so that the believer may no more be the slave of sin, but live to God, and find happiness in his service...
15+++Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16+++making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17+++So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly...
In 2 PETER 3: 11-18, we learn of rightful use of time:
From the doctrine of Christ's second coming, we are exhorted to purity and godliness. This is the effect of real knowledge. Very exact and universal holiness is enjoined, not resting in any low measure or degree. True Christians look for new heavens and a new earth; freed from the vanity to which things present are subject, and the sin they are polluted with. Those only who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, shall be admitted to dwell in this holy place. He is faithful, who has promised. Those, whose sins are pardoned, and their peace made with God, are the only safe and happy people; therefore follow after peace, and that with all men; follow after holiness as well as peace.
Never expect to be found at that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in which we must finish the work given us to do. Only the diligent Christian will be the happy Christian in the day of the Lord. Our Lord will suddenly come to us, or shortly call us to him; and shall he find us idle? Learn to make a right use of the patience of our Lord, who as yet delays his coming.
Proud, carnal, and corrupt men, seek to wrest some things into a seeming agreement with their wicked doctrines. But this is no reason why St. Paul's epistles, or any other part of the Scriptures, should be laid aside; for men, left to themselves, pervert every gift of God.
Labour to know Christ more clearly, and more fully; to know him so as to be more like him, and to love him better. This is the knowledge of Christ, which the apostle Paul reached after, and desired to attain; and those who taste this effect of the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, will, upon receiving such grace from him, give thanks and praise him, and join in ascribing glory to him now, in the full assurance of doing the same hereafter, for ever.
There IS ample reference in THE BIBLE to making GOOD use of our short, allotted time on this planet! First of all, this time is NOT about us, it IS about THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, as HE RESCUES HIS people from the evil enemy of this world, and time, IN WHICH WE, Christians, HAVE a role in, as we exist in SPIRIT, and TRUTH, while SHINING OF HIM for all to bear witness to, AND to GRAB as many from the eternal fires as is feasible!!!
Our time is NOT be wasted on pleasures, and past-times of this world, instead, it is to be spent in BRINGING others INTO THE KINGDOM, THROUGH HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, HIS WORD, HIS HOLY SPIRIT! We ARE as HIS TEMPLE, EACH of us, WHICH MUST REMAIN Sanctified for HOLY use, FOR HIS GLORIOUS WILL and PLAN! It IS a privilege TO SERVE *GOD*, and others, and DOES involve RIGHTFUL use of time, knowledge, understanding, gifts, and more; hence, we NEED to consider THE WHOLE of what being Christian involves, and LOOK TO CHRIST JESUS FOR THE WAY, and the stability to endure, persevere, as we travel through this rapidly fleeting GIFT of time!!!
Time is for PRAYING, for PRAISING, for WORSHIPING, for REJOICING, for BEING, and DOING GOOD, for INSPIRING others to SEE THE LORD, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, for building UP THE CHURCH, for CARING for those in need, for GIVING IN LOVE, EVERY THING feasible derived from our LORD! We ARE entitled to enjoy the FRUITS of our labours, but first we have to PRODUCE these fruits IN HIS NAME, FOR HIS GLORY!!!
LWINSOR © 2016
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
No comments:
Post a Comment