Jeremiah, Reluctant Prophet

Today's reading takes us to Jeremiah 1:1-8 and through Jeremiah 3:5. I want to focus on the first 8 verses as I think we will see ourselves in this scripture. Often when we are confronted with the opportunity to speak up for God, we find ourselves somewhat reluctant to do so. Jeremiah's example should offer us comfort in our feelings and encouragement to speak up.

People are not puppets that God pulls strings and they lose control and do His will. Rather, God made us in His image, with the ability to choose whether to be obedient to His will or refuse His direction. This is often evident in my life as I study His word, see things that I should be doing or not doing and I continue on my merry way. (surely you are not like that also) Jeremiah did not want to follow God's call to be a prophet. Maybe he had seen the way they were treated or maybe he didn't think he was righteous enough. Whatever the reason, when God called, Jeremiah made excuses.

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
Before you were born I sanctified you;
I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Then said I: “Ah, Lord God!
Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

But the Lord said to me: "Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
For you shall go to all to whom I send you,
And whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of their faces,
For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:4-8)

Jeremiah's excuse... I don't know what to say... I am too young. God speaks directly to Jeremiah and Jeremiah makes excuses. Reminds me of a few other men that God talked to... Moses and Jonah for example... oh, and me! God tells him that He knew him in the womb, that he had set him apart for service to Him before he was born. He tells Jeremiah that He selected him to be a prophet to the nations.... and Jeremiah says... "um, I don't think so". He didn't want to do it! But after hearing God's encouragement and His promises, he chose to be obedient.

God promised that He would be with him and that He would deliver him. In the face of persecution and trials, God says, "you will not be alone and I will take care of you". "I will give you the words to speak to those that I send you". Surely by now you are making the connection. You and I are Jeremiah! God knew us before we were born, His desire for us was that we would follow Him and that we would go and teach the nations. Some of us are still saying, "I am too young" or "I don't know what to say". God's call on the Christian's life is pretty clear...

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28: 16-20)

Just like Jeremiah, some of the apostles "doubted", but Jesus reassured them that He had all power and authority. Then He told them to go to the nations and speak the words that He had given them. They were to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His words. And He told them that they need not be afraid because He was with them. Same God, same story, different people, different time. That is our story... God calls us to speak to the nations on His behalf, some will do it, while others will make excuses. But God says that we have no excuses, that He is with us and all of our reasons for not obeying are without merit.

What's it going to be? Are we going to recognize His work in our lives? He calls us from our "new birth" to be obedient to His will and carry out His mission. He knew you before your "new birth" and He has appointed you for good works. (Eph 2:20) Jeremiah made the right decision and obeyed God. God placed His word in his mouth and Jeremiah couldn't help but speak. God told Moses, "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." If God was in the business of giving His spokespersons the right words to say back then, is He different now? He has given us His word, we just have to take it in and then let it out. "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20)

Josiah, Example of Obedience

We have been taking a hard look at what it means to keep the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:37-39) I will be the first to admit that it is a daunting task to attempt to fully comply with what God is asking of us. Some days, it just doesn't seem possible. However, sometimes we get  a peek at the life of someone who is commended for their effort. Today's reading includes the story of Josiah, who became king over Judah after the assassination of Amon. (take the time to read 2 Kings 22 and 23)

Our introduction...Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.  And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (2 Kings 22:1,2)

Take a moment to think about what the LORD chose to record about this young man. He came to the throne at eight years of age. Maybe this is part of what made him the man he would become. He was too young to have wisdom of his own and too young to have accumulate power or prestige. Maybe he had great parents, (we are introduced to his mother) who taught him about the one true God in the midst of national idolatry. We know he ruled for thirty-one years and he did what was right in the sight of the LORD. Whatever it was that made him the man he was, we read that he cleaned house in Judah.

It would appear that God's word had been "lost" for some time. This is hard for me to understand. How do you lose God's word in the temple? (we would never lose His word, would we) The "book" was found in the house of God, yet in some way it had been lost. The high priest, Hilkiah stumbled onto the "book" and passed it on to the kings assistant, who in turn took it to the king and read it to him. The king's reaction reveals a lot about the kind of man he had become. Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. (v 11) “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” (v 13)

His reaction was immediate and forceful. He didn't wait, he didn't question... he repented on the spot at the hearing of God's word and moved to make changes in his life and those around him. God rewarded him for his "tender heart" and his "humble" spirit. He promised Josiah that even though he was going to punish those that had rejected Him, those that had been unfaithful, he would be spared the wrath that was to come on Judah.

What about you? How do you respond when you discover the truth of God's word? Do you respond immediately and with forcefulness? Does God see a tender and humble heart ready to obey His words? Am I ready to do and say whatever God desires of me? What is being written about you, about me in His book now? How will our stories read?

Josiah's story ended with these words: Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. (2 Kings 23:25) I pray that our stories will end with just such praise from our Father in Heaven and that we will hear Him say..."Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:21)

The Cost of Discipleship

Books have been written, sermons have been preached, lectures have been given and yet most of us still miss the point of discipleship. Jesus call for disciples is not a call that many will respond to. He tells us that to follow Him we must... hate our families, quit our jobs, sell all we have, be ready to die and on and on. For most of us in the USA, following Jesus is an easy lifestyle with few, if any sacrifices. We show up for "church", drop a few bucks in the basket and we try not to commit the really big sins. What we call Christianity today is not found in the Bible... anywhere.

As a matter of fact, what we call Christianity today is condemned everywhere in the Word. (Check out Amos 6:4-6 and Ezekiel 16:49) To be a disciple during the time that Jesus lived meant that you did all you could to be just like your teacher. You were with him day in and day out; your talk became like his, your walk became like his, your thoughts became like his and your life became like his. For Paul, being like Jesus was the most important thing. Those he taught he gave this encouragement, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." (1 Cor 11:1) As their teacher, Paul was leading them to a life that looked like Jesus. He put it this way..."My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you". (Galatians 4:19) The goal of your faith is certainly the salvation of your souls, but Paul says that we are to become like Jesus along the way. (1 Peter 1:9)

My lesson last week at the Wilkesboro church of Christ was on sin and our responsibility to change. I know we will continue to sin, we are human; but we cannot let that deter us form striving for a life that reflects Jesus' righteousness. We are called to growth and change. We are called to have Christ formed in us. In other words, the longer we are Christians, the more like Jesus we are to become.

That takes us back to His radical call. Jesus knew that if we continued to hold onto the things that were important to us before we met Him, we would never make it as His disciples. So He calls us to love our families less than Him. He tells us that if our possessions possess us, get ride of them and help the poor. He tells us that we must be ready to give up everything, even our lives for the kingdom. That is radical and few will accept His call.

A successful church today (in the world's eyes) is one that is big and has huge facilities and lots of programs that meet the "needs" of its' members. In other words, church today is about us and what we want. Unfortunately, our culture has invaded our churches and the worldly definition of success has woven it's way into the fabric of Christianity. The early church had a completely different outlook on life. Read Acts 2, all of it.

 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.  Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (Acts 2:42-45)

Does that sound like the church you attend? Does that sound like the church I attend? A total focus on God's Word, a vital and caring fellowship, continual remembrance of Jesus through communion and everyone petitioning the Father. No one in need! the church had no members in need. People sold what they had to make sure that their brothers and sisters had what they needed.

This Sunday morning, I will be examining Jesus' radical call to love our fellow man. Jesus' call to love is one that many of us struggle to deal with. His life demonstrated the kind of love that we are called to live out. It is not an easy call, but it is a call that we are to answer.

John put it this way..."By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.  And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." (1 John 3:16-19)

Just Like Them

Hosea doesn't pull any punches! The Israelites had abandoned their faith and were mixing with those around them and worshiping the gods of their neighbors. They had become a wicked and sinful people and no longer acknowledged God as the LORD.

Sometimes I need preaching like Hosea's. Sometimes it takes frank talk to wake me up and confront me with my sinfulness. Most people don't like it. Most people won't hang around to hear that kind of preaching. Most people want to hear that they are saved and that they are going to live eternally in a beautiful home in Heaven. They want to hear how much God loves them and how they are blessed and will be blessed if they show up on Sunday morning. That's what most people want to hear.

I know, because that is what I like to hear... but this is what Hosea had to say to the LORD's people...

Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away. Yet let no one contend, and let none accuse, for with you is my contention, O priest. You shall stumble by day;
the prophet also shall stumble with you by night; and I will destroy your mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hosea 4:6-9)

The scary part of that section of scripture is how much it sounds like us. Us, Americans, we are very quickly loosing our knowledge of God and our sinfulness is on full display. We celebrate our sins. We make movies about our sins. Television shows glorify our sins. We have become just like them! If Hosea were alive today, I think he would write the same words to us as he did to them. His words are a sober warning about the consequences of such conduct. If we as a nation or if I as an individual depart from my faith and begin living like those outside of Christ, we should expect to loose His blessings. (go back and reread the section of scripture above, see his warnings)

So what is the solution to our problem, what is the cure for our disease? Hosea points us to God's word. What is right or wrong is eternal. If God's word recorded that something is wrong a thousand years ago, it is wrong today. There is no evolution of the standard. The same standard is in place today as was in place when Jesus walked this earth. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) Nothing has changed with God. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)  No variation or shadow due to change. We can count on God to be God!

He has always been and will always be.... the same, yesterday and today and forever! The world changes it's view on things regularly. What was  wrong ten years ago is right today. What is wrong today, will be right in a few years. Thankfully, God is not like that. When we submit to His authority, His rule in our lives, we get to live by the same standard that Peter did, that Paul did. What was wrong then, is wrong now. What was pleasing to God then, is pleasing to God now. Learn what pleases Him! Live out your lives in submission to His will! May we never reject knowledge of God and begin to accept the world's view on things. We are called to be strangers on this earth and citizens of the household of God.

May we live in such a way that Hosea would say.... "good job, you have sought and obtained knowledge and because of that I accept you as being a priest to me". Hold on to your faith and when your day are finished, you will hear the words of the Father, "Well done, good servant". Hosea is sounding the warning, may we determine to hear and change our conduct to comply with His desires. May God richly bless you as you become more and more like His Son.

I Will Pour Out My Spirit

Today's Reading - Joel 1-3

Our reading today takes us to a time when Judah experienced an infestation of locusts. The swarm destroyed the crops and left the nation without food. Particularly in that time and that economy, this was a major event that impacted everyone's lives. The prophet Joel seizes this opportunity to use these events as a time to teach the nation about repentance and the coming judgement. He emphasizes that God is faithful and that He will honor His promises and will bring blessing to the people if they will turn to Him.

When I got to Joel 2:28ff, I was immediately transported to the second chapter of the book of Acts. When Peter and the other apostles began to speak in tongues (other languages), the people gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost thought they were drunk. But Peter tells the crowd that what was occurring was in fact the fulfillment of the words of the prophet Joel.

 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: "‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Acts 2:15-21)

Peter tells the crowd, "what you are seeing now is what Joel was talking about in his prophecy. Today is the day that the Lord has poured out His Spirit and what you are hearing is the result of that."  He then uses the event to tell people about Jesus. In what is called the first Christian sermon, Peter lays out the message that Jesus is the Son of God and that they (we) are responsible for His crucifixion. Take a moment to read the entire second chapter. The message that Peter preached is the same message that we need today. We need to confront our sins and turn to Him with broken hearts and ask the same question that the people asked on that day...Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (v 37)

When our hearts are cut, when pride is removed and we stand face to face with our unrighteousness, there is nowhere to go except to ask the question... "what do I need to do?". These people knew that just a few weeks earlier, they had demanded the death of the Son of God. They knew that their sin had caused His crucifixion and that they were in need of redemption. What shall we do? The same question is asked today when a person is confronted with their sins and understand that they need help. Unfortunately, it depends on who you ask as to what answer you will receive. So, rather than ask someone, let's let Peter give the very specific and direct answer to your question.

 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:38-41)

What shall we do? Peter (the apostle, the man who walked with Jesus and was told that he had been given the keys to the kingdom) tells them the very simple and straight forward solution to their problem. They were sinners and they needed forgiveness. He tells them that forgiveness was found by repenting and being baptized. He didn't tell them to say a prayer. If that is what they needed to do, he could have told them that. (actually, there is no example in the Bible of someone being told to say a prayer to be saved, there is no example of praying Jesus into your heart) Peter tells them to turn their lives around, change their hearts and to be immersed in water. That is it. Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. Simple, yet so many will debate the issue.

He tells them that when they do that, God's Spirit will come live within them. He tells them that this a promise and that this promise is for everyone. Everyone... that includes you and me. How do I get my sin problem taken care of.... believe that Jesus is God's Son, repent of my sins and be immersed in water. The promise is for everyone. That day, three thousand souls were immersed into Christ and were added to the saved. (vs 41, 47) The rest of the book of Acts includes the stories of others who believed and were baptized... even the apostle Paul... Acts 22:16.

Joel's prophecy is for us. He was pointing to the time when the Savior would die and He would send His Spirit to live within us. He was pointing to a time when salvation would be available to every nation. But he was also pointing to a day of judgement. A day when those that have not believed in the Son, those that have not obeyed the gospel call will stand before God and answer for their rejection of His Son.

If you have not responded to Peter's sermon, if you have not repented of your sins, turned your life over to God and been immersed for the remission of your sins.... your day of judgement will be one of condemnation. Joel points to the day that Peter announced the beginning of the Christian age and the day that forgiveness was offered to all nations. My prayer is that you will accept His offer, that you will respond to the call and turn your life over to Him. Repent and be baptized... that was Peter's response to the question.... "what shall we do?" In the words of Nike... "Just Do It!"

God's Provision, Power and Protection

Today we read the story of Elijah the prophet. (1 Kings 17-19) It is the story of God raising up a man to speak for Him at a time when Israel was in crisis, both of character and direction. Ahab and Jezebel are ruling over the nation and they had turned the people's hearts to the false god, Baal.

Elijah meets with king Ahab and tells him the God of Israel had determined that the nation would face a drought, with "neither dew nor rain" for several years. Elijah was told to leave the area and go to the Kerith Ravine and that the ravens would feed him. He did and they did. He was later told to go live with a widow and her son and that they would provide for him. He did and they did. We all know the story of the never ending flour jar. The point is this... Elijah was obedient to God and God took care of him. God provided for his needs! He used ravens and a bottomless flour jar to take care of His servant. God's provision is always adequate. His provision is sure.

We might want more, we might think that His provision leaves something to be desired. Paul put it this way in Philippians 4:11-13... Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Whatever our situation, our circumstance God will surely provide for His servant. The unsure part of the equation is our attitude about the provision.

During this time away, Ahab and Jezebel had "abandoned the Lord's commands and followed the Baals". So, God sent Elijah to Ahab to confront him about his worship of other gods and his leading His people away from Him. Elijah calls for all the prophets of Baal and all the people from Israel to meet him on Mount Carmel. He proposes a contest between his God and their gods. Each would place a sacrifice on the alter and then pray for god/God to consume the sacrifice by fire. The outcome of the test would determine whose god was the true God.

The prophets of Baal accepted the test and placed their sacrifice on the alter and began to call on their god to send fire. They called on Baal from morning until noon and shouted "O, Baal, answer us!". But there was no response. Elijah encouraged them to shout louder. Perhaps Baal was busy or traveling and needed to hear a louder call. They shouted all the louder until evening, still no fire. Then Elijah prepared his sacrifice and had water dumped on the alter, twelve large jars until the water filled the trench around the sacrifice. Then Elijah prayed. He called on God to demonstrate to all the children of Israel that He was the one true God. "The fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench". God's power was clearly seen by all. The punishment for the priests of Baal? They were slaughtered and their teaching was ended. His power is sure.

The drought was ended and the rains came. You would think all would be well in Israel, but you would be wrong. Jezebel is unhappy with the outcome of the "test" and so she sent word to Elijah that she would have him killed by the next day. I find it interesting that the prophet who had just witnessed the awesome power of God would run for his life in fear of Jezebel. I would never do anything like that, would I? I would never gather with the saints on Sunday and hear of God's goodness and power and forget what I learned on Monday, would I?

Elijah hides in a cave and God visits him there. He gives him His protection and stands him up and sends him on a mission. I like that... Elijah trembling in a cave and God calls him out to send him off to work. Are you afraid of someones reaction to the message about Jesus? Are you cowering in a cave, avoiding everyone around you? God says to each of us, "come on out, leave your fears in the cave, I will protect you and I have a mission for you". Elijah is told that even though things look bad, he is not alone. God assures him that there are 7000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Sometimes we feel alone, but God says, "you don't know how many faithful believers I have".  He tells us not to worry about those things, He has them under control, just get to work. Fulfill the mission. His protection is sure.

Sometimes we forget who God is. We get concerned with the day to day and God seems distant to us. Elijah's story reminds us that God is the provider of our needs, that His power is unlimited and that in his service we have protection. The faithful follower will not be concerned about lunch tomorrow, they will work and let God bless the effort. The faithful follower will not worry about the outcome of everything, they understand that God is in control and that by His power all things continue. The faithful follower will not live in fear, they understand that God's protection is eternal. The faithful follower will carryout the mission that has been assigned to them, for His glory.

On Growing Old and Dying

(Ecclesiastes 11:7 -12:14)

There is an appointment that every person will keep. It doesn't matter who you are or what you have or how young or old you are.... you will keep this appointment. Everyone has up to this point and everyone will from here forward. Death is sure. Hebrews 9:27 puts it this way..."And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment". The wisest of the wise, Solomon wasn't able to avoid death or aging and his writings as he grew old reflect the wisdom of his years and gives us sound advice as we face the same future.

His words are very meaningful to me as I am now a little past mid-life and am facing the pains of age. Getting up in the mornings is a little more difficult and doing the things that I once laughed at, is  becoming more challenging. Solomon advises us to enjoy all the days of our lives, but he also advises the young to take full advantage of their youth. He warns them that whatever things they do, they will have to answer for, he says "God will bring you to judgement". So if you are young, have fun, enjoy your lives, but know that if you abuse the time, you will face your Creator in judgment. He calls on the young to "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth".

Solomon uses many symbols to represent the effects of aging. Read his words and let them wash over you as you consider the changes that come as we grow older. He talks about our sight, our posture, our level of energy, our fears, our physical limitations and the lose of desire. He closes this encouraging section with these words... "Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets." He says that our "dust returns to the ground it came from and our spirit returns to God who gave it". That is the future for some. It is the present for others and the past for billions of others. It is sure, you and I will share the exact same future. If we live, we will age, if we age, we will suffer the effects and death is an appointment that we all will keep.

He concludes this section with a few verses that he tells us are the conclusion of the matter. He doesn't leave us depressed with little to look forward to. Rather, he sums it all up and sends us on our way to live out the lives we have left.... with purpose!

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.  
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.(Ecclesiastes 12: 13,14)

He tells us that when everything has been heard, all has been said, that our entire duty, our purpose in this life is to "fear God and keep his commandments". When we understand that our lives are short and that we will give an answer for what we have done in the flesh, we will fear the one who will judge us. I know that is not popular Theology these days, but the Bible is clear on this matter... God is to be feared and He is to be obeyed. Solomon warns the young and old alike, you will die and you will face your Creator and answer for everything in your life. Everything hidden, everything known.... everything. That is a scary proposition for us.

Growing old, facing death, going to the judgment.... sounds pretty bad. If that were the end of the story, we would live lives of regret and depression. We would carry around guilt and live every day knowing that we have no hope. Sad. But, thankfully that isn't the end of the story!

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

(1 Corinthians 15:54-58)

Without Jesus, death reigns eternal; with Jesus, death is swallowed up in victory. What fool goes to court to face the judge without his attorney, his advocate? Even more important, who wants to face aging, death and the judgment without Jesus? As Christians, we should understand the fear of the Lord and because of that our hearts should be set on persuading others to come to Him.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. (2 Corinthians 5:10-11)

Tell it!