Tag: be on guard
Don’t be a hypocrite!
Scripture reading for March 19th: Luke 12
“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.” (Luke 12:1-3) Jesus was concerned for His disciples. The example of the religious leaders of Jesus’ time was one of proclaiming to be righteous but in reality still being bound by sin and uncleanness. The Pharisees were always judging others, but failed to see their own sin.
Hypocrisy is like putting on a show or play-acting to fit each situation you are in. Jesus wanted disciples who would be true to Him and God all the time. He warned them that living a lie would be exposed and would bring ultimate humiliation and condemnation by God. “I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.” (Luke 12:4-5) Hypocrites lack a true fear of God and instead fear men and act to please those they are around.
“I tell you, whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns Me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9) Followers of Jesus must stay true to Jesus! There is great reward for the faithful and loss for the hypocrite!
No one knows the day or hour!
Scripture reading for March 7th: Mark 13:14-37, Psalms 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30
Mark’s account of Jesus teaching as they left the temple emphasizes the need to be watchful in the last days. Jesus was asked by Peter, James, John and Andrew to explain when the temple would be torn down and the sign that these things would be fulfilled. (Mark 13:1-3) They were interested in understanding when the massive stones in the temple would be torn down and what things would mark that happening.
“Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in My name claiming ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen but the end is still to come.” (Mark 13:5-7) The first thing to watch out for was deception. The last days would be marked by false teachers and people claiming to be “Christ”. They would draw people after them who would be deceived. They are gullible because they have never been born again and received the true Christ. They had never repented of sins and obtained Christ’s cleansing mercy through faith.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will never pass away. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You don’t know when that time will come.” God has warned His people by His word which will never pass away or change. Part of the deception will be people or religions that set the time of Christ’s coming. The Jehovah’s Witnesses have set the time of Jesus’ coming at least 4 times and been wrong each time. Many have been disillusioned by the setting of dates.
In fact, Jesus said that even He did not know the day or the hour, only the Father knew that timing! In other words, the end could come “in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If He comes suddenly, do not let Him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'” (Mark 13:35b-37) The best thing we can do is be ready regardless of when it might be. Worry is a sin, but watchfulness is obedience to Christ! Jesus is coming back! We must prepare and watch out!