Press On…Finish Strong
They say timing is everything. I’ve been thinking about today’s topic for a while, but just hadn’t gotten around to writing it yet. I’m convinced that God has a sense of humor, and sometimes He has to do something so obvious, I’d have to be asleep to miss it. Today is one of those.
If you’ve seen any news in the past week or so, you know that mayors and governors in some states are in the hot seat because of their stand on crime in their cities vis-à-vis illegal immigration and their refusal to deal with it. Not only does this expose just how much they hate President Trump, but when they arrogantly rise up against ICE to block their intervention and protection through encouraging violence, they’re placing their citizenry at risk.
Paul writes to the Philippians in 3:13,14, “…forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on…” The situation in our streets, fomented by those whose job it is to protect, is the source of our reflection today.
This morning in my quiet time,
I was in Matthew 24. When I got to verse 12, I thought I was reading today’s newspaper. It was as if God was saying, “When are you going to write your blog on this?” Hear Jesus’ words, “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” And then in verse 13, “But the one who endures to the end (finishes strong) will be saved.”
Earlier in the chapter (v6-8, 10), Jesus tells His disciples, “See that no one misleads you…You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars…nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs…(v10)…at that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.”
Does this sound like anything you’ve heard or read recently?
What we see today is just the beginning. Consider this alarm a gift of mercy from a loving God who doesn’t want anyone to miss out on an eternity with Him (John 3:16; 10:28). For those of us who know Jesus Christ as Savior and friend, these verses do not bring fear, but excitement, joy, expectancy. For those who don’t know Jesus, this is a wakeup call. Having gone through the birth of my children, the reference to the birthing process is so spot-on. The contractions start quite far apart then move closer together. Next comes a crescendo of intensity, duration, and pain. We usually have enough time to get to the hospital…but not always.
If God wasn’t a God of love and mercy,
he’d just blow the whistle and it’d be game over. No overtime, no mulligans, no do overs. Just done. If you’ve never considered what happens to you when you die, make it a priority…today. If you don’t know somebody who represents Jesus through their lifestyle, find a Bible-believing, Christ-following church and tell the pastor you want to meet Jesus before you die. After you die it’ll be too late. The Bible says, “It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment (Heb. 9:27).”
You may be holding out, expecting the government to fix all the problems. It can’t happen. The problems are not fiscal or territorial. They’re heart (sin) problems and no amount of money or government largesse can buy the forgiveness one needs to enter Heaven. But the good news is that it’s free to all who come to God through His Son, Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6).
The way to assure your seat
at the table for the heavenly banquet, is to humble yourself, admit you are a sinner and can’t do anything to save yourself. Recognize that Jesus paid the price for your sin when he died on the cross, was buried, and rose again. This act of sacrifice satisfied the Father’s requirement of a sinless life. Jesus offers it to anyone who comes to Him on His terms.
When you make this commitment, The Holy Spirit comes to live in you and gives you the power to finish strong. For a more detailed look at what God thinks of you and the path to eternal joy in the presence of the Creator of the universe Himself, and the Father-son or Father-daughter relationship that never ends, turn to Steps To Salvation in the back of this book. Thanks for reading.