My earliest family memories include the fact that whenever our church’s doors were open, we would be there. Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday evening, Vacation Bible School, and occasionally special week-long services with guest speakers from various areas. Although I cannot recall most of the sermons, the music still resonates in my mind. (ESV – all emphasis is mine.)
Our church did not allow any musical instruments at all. No piano, no guitar, no organ, just the harmony of voices. Ephesians 5:19 was taken literally, to make melody in your heart, and does not mention any musical instruments. A song leader would have the Hymnal numbers posted, and he would start with the first word, and the congregation would join in.
One song in particular comes to mind – “Stand Up for Jesus.” As the song leader would sing the first word, everyone would stand without any coaching, and it seemed as if this song was a true declaration of love and respect for our Savior. This was in the 1950s and 1960s when no one was afraid to declare they were a follower of our Savior.
Advance forward to our present time. It’s getting to the point that anything that has to do with our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, is not welcome. People are very uncomfortable with Bible teaching that says we are all sinners and that, without Jesus, we deserve being cast into the lake of fire (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, and Revelation 3:10).
Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth, and wander off into myths.”
In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus gives signs of what will be happening near the end of this age. One point He made is that “You will be hated by all for My namesake.” There are places in this world today where proclaiming Jesus as your Savior leads to martyrdom. Jesus said in John 16:39, “I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world.”
There are some churches today that were previously Bible-based but have turned to messages designed to make the people feel good, and sin is a subject not mentioned. Some are reported to even have “drag queens” giving lewd messages, and the membership acts as if this is perfectly acceptable.
Galatians 6:7-8 states, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
The hymn mentioned above, “Stand Up for Jesus,” was written in 1858 by George Duffield (1818-1888). He was a Presbyterian minister and hymn writer.
1.) Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross; lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory, His army shall He lead, till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
2.) Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; forth to the might conflict, in this His glorious day. Ye that are brave now serve Him, against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
3.) Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own. Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer; where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.
4.) Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song. To him who overcometh, a crown of life shall be; they with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.
The time to seriously consider your eternal destiny is now. There are those who will say there’s plenty of time, and God will not really send anyone to an eternal fire. The ones who are saying this are advocates of Satan, and their fate is given by Jesus in Matthew 25:41: “Then He will say to those on His left, depart from Me you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”
The antichrist and false prophet will be the first occupants of that terrible place (Revelation 19:20). Their leader, Satan, will be next, as given in Revelation 20:10. After this will be the most awful event called the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15.
All who appear at the Great White Throne will go into the hell fires forever. There are no pardons, no suspended or limited sentences; it’s forever. There will be people there who were considered “good” but never received and accepted Jesus as their Savior. Many who died before Calvary will be there because they were out of the will of the Father.
God forces no one to receive and accept His Son, but all who truly do will be saved. Whatever someone has done in their past can be forgiven if they call out to Jesus to save them before they take their last breath on this earth. The best example of this is the thief on the cross next to Jesus.
In Luke 23:40-43, one of the thieves that was crucified at the same time as Jesus asked the Savior to “Remember” him, and Jesus told him that he would be with Jesus “Today” in paradise.
There are no long formal procedures that require works or funds to pay to earn a place in Heaven. Romans 10:9-13 gives the simple steps to becoming part of Jesus’ flock, as mentioned in John 10. In fact, Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us it’s by grace through faith that we receive God’s gift, and not by any works so that we can’t boast.
To truly be saved, admit or confess you are a sinner, and know that you can’t save yourself. Believe and have faith that the sacrifice that Jesus gave for us at Calvary was to cover all sins of those who would receive Him as God’s Son, and to become our Redeemer and Savior. Finally, believe that as a “human,” Jesus died and three days later arose to conquer sin and death for all who would call out to Him to save them.
The only hard part about this procedure is believing this is all that is needed to be saved.
Also, understand that Satan will do all he can to pull you away from the Savior. Know that when you sin as a believer, God has given us a path to forgiveness in 1 John 1:8-10. He knows we are not perfect, and until we receive our forever bodies and have a mindset such as our Savior, we will still slip and sin.
Also, please know that tomorrow is not promised. To decide to wait to call on Jesus could be the worst decision you could ever make. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, Paul tells about an event known as the Rapture. All who are believers in the Savior will be taken up to keep us from the coming wrath. To delay your decision could cause you to enter that awful 7-year period of time.
It is completely your choice to make, and rest assured that if you ask Jesus to be your Savior, He will not turn you away. Your eternal destination is up to you. Choose Wisely!
The post Stand Up for Jesus :: By Dennis Huebshman appeared first on Rapture Ready.
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