For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.
God, the One infinite and all-wise, sees the end from the beginning, and in dealing with evil His plans were far reaching and comprehensive. It was His purpose, not merely to put down the rebellion, but to demonstrate to all the universe the nature of rebellion…. It will be seen that all who have forsaken the divine precepts have placed themselves on the side of Satan, in warfare against Christ. When the prince of this world shall be judged, and all who have united with him shall share his fate, the whole universe as witnesses to the sentence will declare, “Just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” Revelation 15:3.
In the final execution of the judgment it will be seen that no cause for sin exists. When the Judge of all the earth shall demand of Satan, “Why hast thou rebelled against Me, and robbed Me of the subjects of My kingdom?” the originator of evil can render no excuse. Every mouth will be stopped, and all the hosts of rebellion will be speechless…. The whole universe will have become witnesses to the nature and results of sin. And its utter extermination, which in the beginning would have brought fear to angels and dishonor to God, will now vindicate His love and establish His honor before the universe…. Never will evil again be manifest. Says the Word of God, “Affliction shall not rise up the second time.” Nahum 1:9…. A tested and proved creation will never again be turned from allegiance to Him whose character has been fully manifested before them.
He who chooses a course of disobedience to God’s law is deciding his future destiny; he is sowing to the flesh, earning the wages of sin, even eternal destruction, the opposite of life eternal. Submission to God and obedience to His holy law bring the sure result. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.
The Faith I Live By p. 71
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Prayer Requests
—–Prayer Request From Jeff: please continue praying for his sister Angie, that the peace of God would come upon her. Pray that she would respond to treatments as they are slowly waking her from medically induced coma and dr works toward decreasing the the use of ventilator. She is showing signs of improvement, Praise God……. please continue to pray for this family….Jenny
—–I need prayer for a new job and for God to move out a neighbor that is causing trouble. Thanks Ann
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in North Carolina, we enjoyed watching a program where two men visited some wildlife area somewhere in the USA. It was like taking a walk with them through whatever area they visited. These two men, one a naturalist and the other an interested friend, would quietly walk along and discuss the things they found there. It might be a shell, an antler, a bird, insect, animal, etc. Whatever it was, they made it interesting as the naturalist talked about its habits and other facts about it.
We first started watching the program in the early 1980’s. At that time, there was occasional mention of the theory of evolution, but nothing big. The naturalist would always say, “Some people believe” or Some folks say.” I thought that it was nice that the scientist brought out the fact that evolution was only a theory. I felt that here was a man who did not believe in this soul-destroying doctrine.
In 1987 we moved to Utah. My favorite program was not on television out there. It was seven years before I saw the program again. When we moved to Kansas in 1994, I was delighted to find that the public broadcasting station here carried the program. To my disappointment, however, the program had changed. Now evolution was not occasionally mentioned as a theory that some people believe, but it was brought to the forefront and taught as a fact. The change was very evident—and disappointing.
Somewhere during those years while we were not able to watch, something happened. Somewhere along the way, compromises were made. Truth was let go of and a false belief crept in. Were they told that their program would no longer aired if they did not promote the godless belief of evolution? Had they sold the truth for filthy lucre?
How many times, we do the same. The evil one is constantly tempting us to compromise in little ways. When we are tempted to do evil, how often we rationalize that it is not so bad. It is OK this time. One little compromise, one little rationalization can change the course of our life. It might only be what seems to be an insignificant thing, but it may be the very thing that starts us on a downward course. It might take years to be noticeable, but when the life is viewed as a whole, it will show. That “little thing” can have eternal consequences. How careful we must be to hold tightly to the truths of God’s Word.
Think of it! He Whom all Heaven adores left the glories of Heaven to “seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10 The Great Creator of the Universe “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:7,8 In the light of what Jesus has done for us, how can we feel free to compromise? How can we listen to the whispered temptings of the enemy of God?
May we stand firm for what we know is right because of our love for Jesus. (1 John 4:19) May we determine not to compromise no matter how strong the temptation. May we resist the devil, for we have the promise that if we do, he will flee from us. (James 4:7)
Rose