By faith, believers understand death is not the end.
In a Christian’s soul, there is hope in tomorrow and in God’s desire that no one should perish. Tomorrow, we cannot see, but we have hope because our minds can conceive it and believe in life beyond death. “Therefore, encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18).
"The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
Just like Felix, many do not want to hear about saying “No” to ungodliness and exercising self-control over their lives. Felix did not want to hear it either, so he dismissed Paul when he talked about righteousness and the judgment to come (Acts 24:25). How many of us dismiss God’s Word because the truth is frightening or inconvenient?
Hope gives us joy to our hearts and peace to our minds. Unfortunately, we live in a world where many people have lost hope for a better tomorrow, and their hope in the Lord, the omnipotent God, is waning as well. Many unbelievers go so far as to call believers crazy and instruct us to quit believing in mystical gods. Do not allow anyone to make you doubt. Disobedience coupled with doubt is not a new concept. However, it is time for Christians to study God’s Word, embrace the Lord’s Truth, “lay aside the deeds of darkness, and put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12). We need to be confident in our beliefs and give bold testimonies about the Lord’s Way and Truth.
Do not be like the people in Noah’s time who continued their ways, even when wickedness, imagination, and thoughts from the heart were evil (Gen. 6:5). We need to understand that when people are hopeful, they are open-minded and motivated to learn. However, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The world keeps doing what it always does, from the days of Noah to times like these. Even so, in too many places, there is no urgency to get one’s house in order. There are those who say they believe but think they have all the time in the world to get right, even though Scripture says: “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, ESV).
Times are changing, and things are not as they seem. Knowing Jesus is coming back should engender a sense of urgency for believers to boldly take the Good News of the Gospel to a world walking in darkness. Keep watch; even though “it is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority” (Acts 1:7). The Son of man is coming back with power and glory! Wake up, the time is near.
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
