Judgment

Many believe that God is beginning to judge our nation. They cite the immorality, corruption, selfishness, humanism, and materialism just to name a few. Many have become “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” 2Tim.3:2-4. It seems to me that we are facing judgment. But what I want to remind you of is that if our nation has come under God’s judgment, His judgment begins at the house of the Lord, the church. 1Pet.4:17. Many of those I have spoken to agree that God is beginning to judge our nation. But few seem to stop and evaluate themselves. If we are being judged God will begin the process of purging and cleansing His people. In 1Pet.4:15 Peter mentions murderers, evildoers, and busybodies. The implication is that there were some in the church. When judgment comes all – righteous and unrighteous – are going to face hard times. For those who believe it will mean difficult days but it will draw us closer to Christ. For those who have only a superficial faith it will mean ruin. And if we barely escape what will become of those who do not obey the gospel, those Peter refers to as “the ungodly and the sinner.” (Notice that ungodly and the sinners are the same as those who do not obey the gospel.) 1Pet.4:18.
Since judgment begins with the church, the first ones that God will deal with are the leaders. Notice that Peter exhorts the elders to shepherd God’s people and be examples to them and our motive must be because we love the Lord and His appearing. 5:2-4. My concern is that we are trying so desperately to find programs and techniques that will grow the church when we, the leaders, haven’t been the shepherds that God says we must be. I may share more on this later but for now let me ask you some questions. Do you really love the Lord? Does He occupy your thoughts most of the time? Are the thoughts you have for Him really about Him or are you just thinking about ways you can get more people to your church? Are you more interested in seeing His people becoming more Christ-like or just having more people? Is it your heart’s desire for God’s people to grow in His grace and knowledge or does it really matter whether they grow or not as long as they attend and give their money? Remember, numbers may make us look good as far as others are concerned, but God sees far more that the numbers. If we are increasing our rolls with lost people who think they are saved this is not pleasing to the Lord. And He certainly isn’t being glorified. (Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I want as many as possible to come under the hearing of the gospel. But as a Pastor I am first to shepherd those the Lord has charged me with.) I am aware that we can’t with absolute certainty know of another’s salvation. But if we will take the time to shepherd and love them then perhaps God will show them the truth before it’s too late.