The Last Days

The Last days

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 
                                                                                                                    2 Timothy 3:1-4
In my last two posts I’ve warned about those who would attempt to read into events of the day and speculate on the fulfillment of Prophesy. But don’t get me wrong I am a firm believer we are in the last days. I believe this in part because of such people claiming to be teachers of the word and perverting it.
I also believe that without the help of God our civilization, our race, our very existence on this planet is in peril.
Some time ago I came across an article written in the 1950's that could have been written today. The article by John B. Harrington quots from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948: wrote,
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
What Gallico and many in the world today are looking for is the true Christ spoken of in the Gospels, not religion.
We as Christians need to take an honest look at what we are teaching and our lifestyle.
We need to go back to the basic teachings of Jesus and the writers of the New Testament.
We need to be living the word of God.
I believe Christianity is a lifestyle not a religion. I believe the words of Francis of Assisi who said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
For me Christianity is a faith of love understanding and reaching out to the world with God’s mercy.
We are not called to judge, Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 
                              Matthew 7:1,2.
I am however called to reach the world with the most incredible message of love I have ever known.
And if there was ever a time the world needed hope it is now, as Paul Gallico puts it,
“We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.”
And the way I see it there is no hope but in Jesus.
As Christians we can only present the word of God to the world but we must do it in the most non judgmental way possible and leave to our listeners what they are going to believe.
The apostle Paul after speaking in the Aeropagus in Athens never condemned the Athians. He never once judged them because of their lifestyle or beliefs. He did however warn them, concluding his remarks with this,
“For he(God) has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
                                                                                            Acts 17:31.
The results were the same as happens today the book of Acts recording,
“When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
                                                                                   Acts 17:32-34.
I strongly believe it is up to us as Christians to stay away from what is speculation at best and false prophesy at worst, and get out there and any way we can present the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.
The world is heading to Hell in a Handbarrow I don’t think any honest Christian would deny that, but we as Christians have a way to pluck individuals out of that handbarrow.
We have a sacred duty to reach the lost and show them the way to an eternity with God.
Think about it.