He That Hath Ears to Hear… Let Him Hear

As this issue of 21st Century WATCH magazine heads to print, we are entering into the fall Holy Day season. What could be a more stark reminder of the world in which we live? Christians are largely oblivious. Jews remember (sort of), but reject Jesus. Yet, we know that the true saints know the commandments of God AND have the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 12:17, 14:12).
Where is the memory of God? Not just what He has done but what He has instructed us to do? Christ told His disciples, the night before He was crucified, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). That statement is as relative today as the day He made it.
By ignoring it, we are “cruising for a bruising,” so to speak. “According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me. Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them” (Hosea 13:6-8).
These are not idle threats. God does not desire to punish mankind, but at some point evil will become so prevalent and grotesque that He will be forced to intervene. It will be necessary to save the few righteous people left.
Consider His words seriously, personally. How many reject God outright? How many more talk about the Lord and yet substitute their own ideas for His righteousness? “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Therein lies part of the problem. Most are not even aware of what sin is; as if it is just anything that is obscurely bad. No, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). It is not some relative moral judgment each of us gets to make in real time and later justify by explaining “why” or “how” it came to be. God’s standard is immutable, eternal.
And that’s only the “things not to do” side. Christ laid more than that on each and every one that hears His words. We have an obligation and a responsibility for positive action. To care, to help, to love. Nothing less is enough. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
Yet, this is a blessing. It is the positive counterpart –– the good work that Christ did and has given us a part in. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:22-27).
So which is it going to be? You can be an adversary of God or a follower and brother of Jesus Christ. God is patient. He is forgiving. But a day is coming when your decision will have been made, if only by not taking action one way or the other. How long will He wait? Life is short, and frankly the world is moving in many alarming directions.
If you have not already decided, let this be the moment. God is calling those that hear Him, that honor and follow His words. Don’t let the truth slip away due to doubt or fear or neglect. “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).