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Left Behind

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The second coming of Jesus Christ, and the resurrection of the body of the Christian, is promised in the Bible very clearly. But sadly, there will be many unbelievers left behind when Jesus returns again.

Luke 17 tells us, “On that night, two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” Its a sobering thought, isnt it?

If Jesus came back today, who in your world would be left behind? Is it a co-worker who sits next to you in your office? Is it a neighbor you go walking with? A classmate, teacher, friend, or even your spouse?

Imagine Jesus returning and your friend or neighbor or wife turning to you, asking, “Why didnt you ever tell me about Him?” Can you imagine the regret?

The reality is that no one knows when Jesus is coming back. It could be at any moment. So we must be vigilant today, to speak up with the truth of the Good News Gospel. Why dont you make a commitment to share the Lord with whoever He brings across your path?

Lets shine the light of Christ to everyone we meet, so that no one is left behind when He returns.

Differences and Similarities: Peace

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Do you remember the first time you came face-to-face with the reality of death? When it moved from being a distant concept to an unavoidable fact that YOU TOO will indeed one day pass away? Facing this reality, Christians and nonChristians respond in different ways.

I have felt the fear that takes over the hospital room of a dying person who does not know Jesus Christ. I have also known the peace with which a dying believer approaches death. There is nothing more dramatically different than feelings of terror and those of perfect peace. That moment when we face our own immortality we realize what we really believe.

If you follow Jesus Christ today, you walk in a peace thats incomprehensible to your non-believing friends and neighbors. But, friend, this is not a gift to hoard! Gods peace is for each of us. In the Bible Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”

Lets share the reason for our peace today. Tell someone about Jesus Christ and His perfect peace – both in the face of death and in everyday living.

Reaching Widows

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My wife and I know a woman in England, named Emma. She felt God asking her to befriend an elderly neighbor, who was a widower. It wasnt easy, because this old man was pretty arrogant and rude. Apparently, no one liked him. But at one point he became sick, so Emma visited him in the hospital. Over time, this belligerent man was softened by Emmas kindness.

One day, Emma shared with him about her relationship with Jesus Christ. Then she asked if he would like to receive Jesus, by faith, into his life. Without hesitation he said, “Yes!” That 84-year-old man died shortly after his conversion, but now hes in heaven!

It certainly wasnt comfortable for Emma to reach out to that elderly man. But God called her out of her comfort zone, and she obeyed. Imagine what would have happened if Emma hadnt followed Gods leading. That man probably would have died without knowing Jesus Christ.

In Luke Chapter 10, Jesus told His followers to first, love God “with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength,” and then, “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Is there a widow in your neighborhood, or community, whom you could befriend? It often takes so little to show them Christs love. And yet, as Emma can testify, your simple act of kindness can have eternal results!

Practice Hospitality

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Joe Aldrich used to be the president of Multnomah Bible College, where I went to seminary. He left a wonderful legacy of evangelism at that school. Joe believed in what he called “lifestyle evangelism.” He let his faith spill over into every part of his days and nights.

One of the ways Joe and his wife practiced lifestyle evangelism, was by opening up their home to international university students. Joe and his wife had many students in their home, night after night, cooking great meals for them, and making them feel comfortable in a strange new country. By their generous hospitality, the Aldrichs led many young people to the Lord.

Joes motto was always, “Love them til they ask you why.” He said students would be in their home night after night, until one of them would ask Joe, “Why do you care so much about us?” That was the open door for Joe to say that Christs love compelled him to love others. And he shared with them the Good News Gospel.

Having people over for dinner may be uncomfortable for you to do. But First Peter 4 charges us to “offer hospitality to one another.” By simply having a friend or neighbor over for a meal, you can reach them for Jesus Christ. So, why not do it tonight?

Promoting Christian Behavior

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When you think about Christian behaviors, what comes to mind? Do not lie. Do not steal. Respect your elders. Honor your parents. The list goes on. As parents, we want our children to behave in a Christian way. We want them to follow God’s law and behave accordingly. But the Lord wants more than just “right” behavior.

“Funderstanding” is a renowned website focused on how children learn. It tells us that, “Behaviorism . . . only focuses on observable behaviors and discounts mental activities.” So focusing on behavior alone disregards the mind and the heart. We want the Good News Gospel to reach our children’s minds and hearts, so that they purposefully behave in loving ways.

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.”

Encourage your kids to obey God from their hearts. Model loving God first and foremost. Teach them to serve others. Show them how to love their neighbors. Cultivate God’s ways in the hearts of your children. Your family will become more and more a Christian community that reflects the Good News of Jesus Christ in relevant and transforming ways!