In this wicked and vile world, things have changed at the pulpits for many churches. Where in times past, pastors would get up and give sermons on hellfire and damnation, this hardly happens anymore. What was taught was not just about love and heaven, but the place of the wicked after this life is done. The words righteousness and holiness were revered and not shunned. However, many people now believe that we are all sinners and cannot become righteous in God’s sight. This is so wrong and causes too many people to live in willful sin that is contrary to the Lord. Therefore, people are coddled in their sins and will have to face the music on their own when they die. This is why the terms righteousness, holiness, and repentance need to be preached like in the past lest more people go down the path of destruction with the wicked and wake up in hell also. David wrote, “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” (Psalm 15:1-3) Do you believe this? I sure do.
Here are some other terms that we hardly ever hear about in church. Those are confessions and condemnation. We hear all about salvation, but never about condemnation, which means a person is damned to hell when they die. If a vile and wicked person would simply confess their sins and get right with God, which is the meaning of repentance, they would no longer fall into the same sinful patterns as in the past. The truth is, we can be set free from a life of sin, but only one person can help us do this. This is Jesus. He gives us the strength to resist temptation by way of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God’s Spirit builds us up in the faith so that we don’t fall each time we are tempted. We may fall on occasion when we are not looking to God, but the moment we confess those sins again, God will have mercy upon our souls. David wrote, “in whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” (Psalm 15:4,5) Doing God’s will helps us love one another and not take advantage of others. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, help us live for You and not the world. You are our rock and our firm foundation. Only You can keep us from falling into sin. There is so much willful sin practiced in this wicked world and I am afraid that most people are going to hell and not heaven. How is it that people have forgotten You, God, and have gone after other things that will not save them? This life is short and to waste our time watching TV, going to movies, watching sporting events, and playing video games is telling You that You don’t matter. I often wonder where You exist in their lives if anything. Are these people still calling upon Your Name in their confessions and prayers? Are they opening the Bible and reading it daily? Or have these things ceased in their lives? How is it that many people were once excited to live for You and are now excited to live for other things? It is my prayer that people will repent before their time is done. That they will engage with You in their confessions, prayers, and Bible study. Only then can You conform them into Your likeness, as You have done for me and others. As Christians, we are like Christ-like people. We are made differently than the world. You did this, God. Thank You. I love You, Lord. Amen.
