Scriptural Foundation:
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
1 Kings 18:21 New King James Version (NKJV)
And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Please note: Last week we talked about the Great Apostasy. It is not a typo in our foundational scriptures, I wanted to revisit a couple of verses in this weeks’ time together.
Reflection:
I love watching the Olympics! Healthy competition and mutual respect among the nations of the world is such a wonderful sight to see. I truly admire all the sacrifice and preparation each person made to earn a spot and represent their country on the world stage. Mental discipline is as much a part of the preparation as the physical. Envisioning victory propels these individuals forward to their personal best. Do you know as a Believer we are on an undefeated team, representing the greatest Kingdom in eternity?
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:19-22
Although we are on the same team, we all have our individual races to run. We were placed in THIS moment in time for a SPECIFIC purpose and function FOR the Kingdom. As we draw closer to the end of time, the Bible warns us there will first be a falling away of the Saints. Then the man of sin will be revealed, and he will go into God’s temple and present himself as if he were God. To be clear, the falling away begins in the church and then a counterfeit individual will present himself to the world as if he is religious. The Bible warns of people like him.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. – Matthew 7:15-17
We live in a carnal society that feelings are glorified over spiritual discernment. We are presented with opportunities and things that to the physical eyes looks like good fruit, when it really is rotting on the inside. Presented with so many options the question becomes, how long will you falter between two opinions? God’s word is not multiple choice, it is true or false. God will not present you with many choices to confuse you.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? – Jeremiah 17:9
So, if God does not administer His Word as multiple choice, then how do we discern what is a distraction from the enemy and what are the things that are profitable for a life in Christ? The only way an athlete gets better is through consistent training and accountability.
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. – 1 Corinthians 9:27
God made us in His image. We were created to be consistent beings, but He also gave us free will to choose.
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls. – Proverbs 25:28
If we as Believers look at the Word of God as a buffet instead of a full course meal, that is where the excuses come from for the compromises we make. I heard a phrase in college that that ‘excuses are the building blocks to nowhere’. Which is so true, excuses are not a means to an end, it is just a back alley in a conversation that the person making the excuses takes to deflect. If applied correctly, the Word through the leading of the Holy Spirit is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Now that does not sound fun, but it does provide peace that passes all understanding. If you feel like a peaceful life is alluding you, check if you are holding yourself accountable to the things of God or just auditing the subject matter. Beloved, peace is our gold metal and the only way we will achieve it is through accountability.
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Look up the definition of accountability and peace?
- On a scale of 1-10, for each, rate yourself then ask a trusted friend in the Lord to rate you.
- What changes can you make to be more accountable to the Word of God?
- List the things that are holding you back from making those changes?
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you regain His peace.
“For this commandment which I command you today isnot too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. – Deuteronomy 30:11-16