Living in the Now

If America is going to have a reversal of fortunes, then revival must come first. If revival is to come, it must come through the church. If revival is to come to the church, then it must come from Christians responding to the call of Christ on each of their lives. There is no other magic way it will happen. We must say yes to Jesus.

It’s been nine days since Americans decided who our next president will be, and many feel as though we’ve been given another chance. I believe this to be the case, however, my concern is that we the church will squander it. Do not confuse this mainly as a call for all of you to become more politically active. As a citizen, you should already be doing so.

What I am suggesting is that as Christians we must recommit ourselves to the gospel and its message being spread across this land. The Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20 was not given to us as the great suggestion.

Our Lord knew the remedy for mankind’s ills; it is Him and only Him.

We do not need any more focus groups or government studies to know what is wrong with American society. We have rejected God and He has given us our way, which never works out for our best. In our heart of hearts, we know what this country needs:

“Let us choose justice for ourselves; let us know among ourselves what is good.” (Job 34:4)

American Christianity’s greatest stumbling block is our blessings. I am not suggesting we sell everything and take vows of poverty. Please do not confuse this as not acknowledging and praising God for all the wonderful blessings He brings to us. God promised us the abundant life.

What I am suggesting is that our comfort can be what causes us to pray “except” prayers. “Lord, I’ll do anything you ask me, except please don’t make me move to another place,” or some other qualifier we throw onto the end of our prayers. The Lord knows our hearts and He knows what is holding us back from total surrender to Him.

Remember the rich young ruler?

“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:21-22)

It is stunning to me how many Christians who have been abundantly blessed by the Lord believe in cheap discipleship. Many of us, myself chief among them, have become holy procrastinators, telling the Lord that one day soon we will serve Him fully.

It’s just that life seems to get in the way of serving Jesus, right?

“Then another of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’” (Matthew 8:21-22)

That seems a reasonable response and from the outside; Christ’s response seems harsh. Jesus was not telling this man to be disrespectful to his father. Christ wants us to get our priorities straightened out. We are all going to die, and when we do we need Christ before that happens. It is the spiritually dead that need the gospel.

Salvation is the answer we are looking for to cure America. Not the government saving us; we need godly salvation. We need Christ to redeem us. And we need salvation now; today:

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2b)

We can no longer live in the future. Our future is secure so we can rest in that assurance.

It is time for living in the now.

Will you join me?

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2016 David Jeffers

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