If you’re not choosing faith in God, then what is you’re faith in? And if righteousness is not a priority to you, then can you be following the God of righteousness?
God wants to refine you today. In the end times, there will be a lot of pressure, but God does not desire for you to dwindle in faith and break, rather to be refined, polished and alight with confidence.
The imperishable things of heaven, like God Himself, belongs to us, He’s given Himself as our hope and love and promised us good heavenly things to come.
God wants to wake you to the fallen nature of the world. He wants to teach your heart to reject evil, and turn to His perfect way which is Christ.
Let’s do this together today, as He has graciously given revelation today, be it in the middle of trouble or new beginnings, pressure is always near, and He is always an active word of hope to cling to before the grand end times or our own unknown personal ends. Embrace His love in your life. Choose faith in Jesus. It is choosing life that cannot be crushed or taken away!
Who or what will you be following in the end times?
In scripture, Thessalonians addresses a lot of praise for the actions of a faithful body of Christ, and encourages them, the Thessalonian church, and comforts them to remember that being active in faithfulness to God is proper for God’s people. That we should be living in purpose and perseverance while remembering the truth about God’s judgment and coming wrath against evil; and how only through Christ, who bore our sins, has a valid sacrifice been made on our behalf.
In Thessalonians, we see rebuke towards idleness and those being led astray. It tells about a deceiver who God will allow to deceive those who refuse to obey the truth. It warns that people will be led to enjoy evil and the lawless one who claims that he is God, and is able to do miraculous things to prove they are a sort of supernatural god/savior, though they are ungodly/unrighteous and does not call attention to God’s kindhearted plea and demand for fruits of righteousness in our lives, the evidence that they’re not to be followed or rested among. They’ll be antiChrist—unable to give hope beyond God’s way, nor are they from God—being apart from the one and only way. The antiChrist is false hope and destroys itself and its followers with time.
Is your hope on firm ground? Does it surpass death, and does it seek perfect justice, like only God can render?
• The warnings in Thessalonians are active and alive. It says the wicked will persecute God’s people, and never repent. That their pride in the world shuts out a love for God. God will vindicate His people in the end, and give justice against evil, and that the evil who chose to hate the hope of God spoken through His people will find destruction.
Do you hate anyone without a cause? Do you hate God’s message and people? Who will you be in end times?
If you are not strengthening your relationship with God now, you are not being refined. There is always pressure in the world that can refine and strengthen our relationship with God. If it’s not happening to you now, then the pressure may just be deteriorating your faith and fellowship instead… Are your heart and eyes opening more toward God’s justice and hope and priding in Him, or self-reliance, and hope and joy in the world?
God wants to prepare you for end times. He wants to refine you. He wants a relationship with you, where you understand who He is, and who you are as His beloved child.
Read 1st and 2nd Thessalonians and study the traits and pursuits of the Godly church versus the traits in those who are lost/ apart from God’s salvation.
It is highlighted that there are one of two lifestyles taking place:
The Lawless, Decieved by the Man of Destruction. In Lies, Pride, and Evil Enjoyment
Versus
Saints living for God’s glory, experiencing persecution, while recognizing purpose and awaiting Christ’s coming.
• Examine yourself with these descriptions.
Are you lawless? Do you know God’s law? Do you lie? Do you enjoy sin? Do you pride in life? OR Do you wait for God’s coming? Do you live for His glory, in truth, casting off sin. Do you know your purpose and is it active? Are you allowing for hardship to destroy your faith? Are you being led astray to succumb to the evil one or do you assure to live in truth and await for Christ’s coming.
Salvation is ongoing. Christian believers are saved, reborn, and should be becoming more sanctified and alive in Christ daily. When this is your nature, the Holy Spirit abides in you, and it is Him, by the grace of God and love of Christ that will seal and keep you through End Times. I pray that He strengthens your faith and makes it move mountains for the cause of Christ, your spiritual brothers and sister’s encouragement, and reaching the lost, but no matter your measure of faith, even if it’s weak, God’s grace is sufficient, and He will be faithful to keep you. Rest in Him. Remain in Him. Perservere with Him and the Church. Do not be deceived or led astray by any temporal, worldly thing. But hope in Christ, love, and keep faith in Him and His word.
Things to take away from this:
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Gaurd your heart. Righteouness is important.
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Be confident in God’s coming wrath against the wicked.
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Don’t persecute the church or people of faith in Christ.
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Live intentionally, with purpose, for the cause of Christ and God’s glory daily, and reduce your likelihood of following other “gods”, “interest/idols”.
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Hold on to your faith despite opposition and trial.
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BLESSINGS!