Sheep and the Goats
My friends, the things on my heart concern me. I think about the United States of America and the freedom and liberties at stake. I think about our missionaries, specifically the Haitian missionaries, whose lives are at stake. I know that God knows all things. And He is in control.
This morning I was reading in Daniel Chapter 3. It was speaking of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. A gold statue of Nebachadnezzar had been erected to worship to the king. The people are told at the sound of the instrumentation they would bow down and worship this gold statue. The three Hebrew men (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) refused to bow and worship anything or anyone that wasn’t God and were thrown into a fiery furnace to perish.
As I read this, again I thought of our country. As I wrote in Blog 18, we need to BE ALERT! Even if we would do a self examination…Lord, please show me if there is anything in my life that I have put ahead of You or has grieved You. Reveal the idols in my life.
If we are going to be Christians, then we need to act like it! This can make a difference in the future of America, in our city or village, in our family even. Change starts with self. We shouldn’t be passive about our Christianity! Jesus tells us in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
When we look at Jesus ministry on earth, He was not passive. In fact, He would show compassion and mercy to those He would come upon but He also stood for righteousness. In Matthew 23:27-28 (NIV), Jesus gives a warning to the teachers of the law and Pharisees. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside, are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Every day the wickedness in this world increases. The Bible tells us in Matthew 24:12 (NKJV), And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. As I have said before, the enemy is prowling around seeking who he can devour. In subtle ways things are introduced to our children as “ok” or “acceptable.” Values and morals are being challenged. What is right we’re being told is wrong. What is wrong we are being told is right. What does the Bible say? What does God say? Is there Biblical truth to support what we’re being told is right or wrong?
In Matthew 25 it tells the parable of the sheep and goats. The sheep belong to our Shepherd and the goats do not. Not everyone who says “Lord” will be saved. In fact, Jesus tells the goats “Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels (v. 41). In Revelation 3:16 (NIV) it says, So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of My mouth.” This is a warning from the Lord. There’s no in between or on the fence. You are either a child of God or a child of the devil.
In Daniel 3 the story continued on. V. 24-28 (NIV), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn’t cave to the king’s orders or societies standards. They stood in faith knowing that even if they perished in the fire, they would be with God Almighty for all eternity.
My friends, I know that these are strong words. These words aren’t meant to condemn you. These words are from a passion in my heart and soul for this nation and for the salvation of my brothers and sisters and knowing that they are receiving truth. As did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I want to tell you, and this goes for me too, keep the faith! Don’t be moved or surrender to the world’s standards but surrender to God and His will for your life! 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NKJV) says, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Galatians 6:9-10 (NKJV), And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Let me share one final thought with you. I used to work in a company that was unionized. I was part of a contract negotiation. Looking at what used to be and what we were up against, this is what I learned. Be careful what you give up. Once you give it up, you won’t get it back. If we don’t stand up for this nation, being the true Christians we are, we could lose it all. If we don’t give our lives to God, repent and accept His Son Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior, we could lose it all. If you don’t know Jesus, I urge you to learn about Him, accept Him as your Lord and Savior. Allow Him into your heart! Allow Him to save you! We spend so much of our lives concerned about retirement and how we will live our lives in our final years. But have you thought about where you will spend your eternity? Eternity…that goes on forever…
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