Affirm Your Heart

"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Luke 12: 40).

A while back I started reading the book series titled: "Left Behind" by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. It is a fiction series, based in what we find in the books of Daniel, Ezequiel and Revelation about the Great Tribulation. Everything converning the events after the Rapture of the church of Christ: we that have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.

As I read these books I can see how the focus of the saints of the Tribulation changes dramatically. I can also see how the focus of the saints of the time of grace (us) is compared to the focus of the saints going through the Tribulation. We now focus in the material things, and the Lord is subject to empty and inconstant worship. For those who by putting their lives at stake will accept the Lord in the Great Tribulation the Lord will be EVERYTHING. Why? Because He gave them a second chance, because in His love he offered them life and hope and patience and faith through seven extremely harsh and cruel years. What about us? What does this have to do with us now?

We live in a world attached to a materialist world, we are not of this world, but we live in it. The problem lies in that we want to imitate this world, we don't want to be compromised to a life dedicated to the Lord.

For those of us who decide to give ourselves and deny ourselves: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him" (Phillipians 1:29).

In James we are told that we must rejoice when tests and tribulations come, how do we do that? Paul did it, he exhorted his churches to have joy, he praised the Lord when his feet were in shackles, when he was stoned almost to death and shipwrecked. In all his trials his praise grew and grew even more...and even he showed love and determination to his brothers:

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me" (Phillipians 1:21-26).

How are we living? The Lord is coming soon. Are we showing love and trying to win more people for Christ? those people with whom we laugh and with whom we share good times, the same people will they be the ones gnashing their teeth and begging for the cesation of their eternal suffering, or will they share with you the eternal greatness of the Lord? Let us affirm our hearts, where are we? whom do we serve? where does our loyalty lie?