Most of us in the Living Church of God act like Christians most of the time. But there are “those times” when all of us slip up, act in a selfish or worldly manner or simply get rebellious. Our enemy, Satan the devil, is always waiting to “stir us up” in a moment of weakness.
So we must be on guard always—always!
However, there are some among us who regularly seem to betray Christian ideals in an outlandish way! I recently heard about a few such individuals who were debating the fractious “presidential election process” right after church services a few weeks ago. A couple of these people said that they “hated” Vice President Al Gore because of His stubbornness in conceding the election.
But one man even expressed an even more awful and bitter attitude toward one of the candidates. That attitude, of course, is the exact OPPOSITE of everything Jesus Christ taught!
Let us always remember that Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, LOVE your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43–44). How can you possibly be acting “Christian” and say that you HATE the Vice President of the United States? You might not personally “like” him. You might “hate”—in a sense—some of the things that he or any politician might say or do. But you cannot “hate” ANY human being and be in a Christian attitude!
The above example of “hate” being engendered over this recent election also illustrates that many of us have NOT come out of this world. We have not fully internalized the absolute fact that true Christians are not of this world. Again, Jesus Christ said, “My kingdom is NOT of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). And the Apostle Paul was inspired to tell us, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
Genuine Christians must always remember that we are “ambassadors” for Christ—representing His Kingdom here on earth. As any faithful ambassador should do, we must be obedient to the laws of the nation where we live—unless they directly contradict the higher laws of Almighty God. And we are to be “subject” to the ruling authorities of our land. We are to pay our taxes, salute the flag and HONOR those whom GOD has placed in authority.
God’s Word instructs us: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1). And later, “For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (vv. 6–7).
Dear brethren, as time goes on and the biblical prophecies reach their fulfillment, will some of our brethren start “hating” other brethren because they are, humanly, citizens of a country which is beginning to oppress our country? Will some of us “hate” members of the great “Mother Church” because that church is oppressing or persecuting our people? Will some of us “hate” those of another race because they have hurt us in the past, or are now hurting us through threats, riots or violence or any other such thing?
Again, although living in the world, we are NOT to be “of” the world. Our whole attitude should be that of ambassadors from another country. Also, we should cultivate the attitude of the faithful saints as described in the book of Hebrews: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were STRANGERS and PILGRIMS on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13–16).
Brethren, none of us are perfect in this life. But as time goes on, we need to GROW in genuine faith and trust in the absolute promises of God. His soon-coming government—directed by the Living Jesus Christ from a throne in Jerusalem—should become more and more of a REALITY to us. We need to mentally “picture” that reality—visualizing at least in a general way the leaders of the nations coming up to present themselves before Christ the King. We should picture the magnificent processions coming in and out of Jerusalem on special occasions—the wealth, the fabulous beauty, the awesome inspiration of huge choirs singing and perhaps bands or orchestras playing at royal occasions and ceremonies. We should picture the splendid and joyous musical occasions and pageantry, which will be carried out as acts of WORSHIP to the Great God during His annual Festivals!
We are instructed in God’s Word, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are ABOVE, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things ABOVE, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1–3). As true Christians, we will be studying about, meditating about and praying about what the Father and Christ are now planning for us at the throne of God in heaven. We should be deeply concerned about which job or responsibility they have in mind for us in the future—and about whether we are PREPARING for that responsibility by humbling ourselves now, learning every lesson we need to learn, and GROWING to reflect the mind and character of Christ in every possible way.
How are we doing? Are we truly yielding ourselves totally to God, really LEARNING the lessons He has for us and genuinely reflecting Jesus Christ in everything we think, say and do?
Be honest with yourselves, brethren!
Are you personally “different” from the way you were two or three years ago? Are you really CHANGING some of your basic attitudes and approaches so that you can genuinely reflect every aspect of Christ’s character more than ever? Are you making progress in “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”? (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Or, are some of you the “same old Joe” or the “same old Jane” that you always were?
As God’s minister I cannot really help you without bringing these things to your attention. But I love you, and I want to help you! So please, everyone, take these things seriously! If we are to be blessed, protected and mightily used by God during the months and years ahead, we absolutely MUST make Christ’s mind and character more a part of our thoughts and actions and approaches to this world. We must be willing to get over “hurt feelings,” NEVER carry grudges, and truly give, serve and SACRIFICE to prepare for the soon-coming government of our Savior to be set up on this earth.
I encourage each one of you to personally “evaluate” yourself. Our ministry is stretched far too thin for them to go around and make constant “house calls” and have long personal Bible studies—as some used to do—with each family in the Church. That would be wonderful if they could—although some of them might not do it perfectly and therefore some of you might even resent them coming to your home and trying to help you personally.
But this puts the responsibility more back on YOU. You, personally, must “examine yourself” week by week and year by year. As the Apostle Paul was inspired to tell us: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
We need to make this self-examination regularly. Not just before Passover but perhaps every single Sabbath we should do this. Some might prefer to wait until after the Sabbath sermon and fellowship to have a period of self-examination each Sunday as they start the new week. That is up to you. But in love and earnestness I urge every one of you brethren to start carrying out a systematic form of self-examination and comparing yourself to CHRIST—not to other human beings.
Then, as you see your faults more clearly through meditation, study and earnestly asking GOD to reveal them to you—you should take definite steps to overcome the selfish and vain thoughts, words and actions that emanate from you. Truly, brethren, time is short. Let us act NOW!
