” Yea, I’m ready to get laughed at… because God’s not laughing at me!”
Obviously, I’m not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant. Gal 1:10 (NLT)
God’s not laughing…
There seems to be some “thing” about taking religion too seriously… Maybe that is true. I know we are free from “the law” because Jesus came and died and rose again and He IS “the law” – the only rule – the only way to salvation… But – if we only have one rule – are we even following it? Are we really following Him? If we are taking religion too seriously I can’t help but ask myself…. am I taking Christianity serious enough?
I read something a while ago and for some reason after I watched the above you tube clip I can’t get either off my mind…. 2 Peter 3:10-15 and Brian “head” Welch have been a constant thought for a couple weeks…. and all I keep thinking is “God’s not laughing”.
GOD’S NOT LAUGHING!!
2 Peter 3:10-15 (amplified) – But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. Since all these things are thus in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities. While you wait and earnestly long for (expect and hasten) the coming of the day of God by reason of which the flaming heavens will be dissolved, and the [material] elements will flare and melt with fire? But we look for a new heavens and a new earth according to His promise, in which righteousness (uprightness, freedom from sin, and right standing with God) is to abide. So, beloved, since you are expecting these things, be eager to be found by Him [at His coming] without spot or blemish and at peace [in serene confidence, free form fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts]. And consider that the long-suffering of our Lord [His slowness in avenging wrongs and judging the world] is salvation (that which is conducive to the soul’s safety),
vs. 15 (KJV) – And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation;
vs. 15 (NAS) – and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation;
vs. 15 (NIV) – Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation,
2 Peter 3:10-15 (NLT) – Since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives you should be living! You should look forward to that day and hurry it along – the day when God will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and the new earth he has promised, a world where everyone is right with God. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. and be at peace with God. And remember, the Lord is waiting so that people have time to be saved….
I read this and all I see jump out is that He is waiting patiently for people to have a chance to love Him. God not only loved us so much He sent His only Son to die for us – to save us – so we could go to heaven…. but He is waiting to come back, AGAIN, – because He loves us so much – He doesn’t want any of His children to miss out on eternity with Him. WHAT AN AMAZING LOVE! And He is suffering! Waiting is hard…. He wants us in heaven with Him…. But He wants us ALL in heaven with Him!!!!
The poor, the hungry, the dying, the broken, the addicted, the lost, the lonely, the stubborn, the confused, the angry, the evil… He wants US ALL!!!! And He is giving us time to go get them! Who is He giving this job too? Are you going to heaven? If you answer yes to this question then it is your job to ensure that – as many people you can get to know, and accept, and let God love them, as you can – do! How terrible is it for us to have the gift of salvation… to know our Father’s unfathomable love and not share it! How could any of us even contain such an amazing thing to ourselves? There are people dying. There are people dying at the gas station and at the gym and at Starbucks and in Africa. There are people dying and God is waiting. He is giving us time so that all His beloved children have time to be saved! And He isn’t laughing…..
Jesus dying on the cross – not funny. People living a life without knowing His amazing love – not funny. Me being selfish and keeping the awesome gift of salvation to myself – not funny. People dying and going to Hell – not funny. I think sometimes it is all right to be serious. Because, I don’t think God is laughing…..
