First of all, every breath we take in from our Creator who first breathed life into Adam. Also, and most important, once we take our last breath here on earth, at that very moment, we will be in the presence of the Lord. Eventually, all those who put their hope and trust in Jesus will go to be judged, to give an accounting. Look at Romans 14:10-12.
“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
And, praise the Lord; aren’t we all encouraged and joyful that we’ve been redeemed and saved by the blood of the Lamb? That redemption and the free gift of salvation and being clothed in His righteousness means when we stand before the Almighty God, we will be declared not guilty only because of the righteousness we’ve received through His Son.
It is so amazing that all of our sins, guilt and shame were put upon Jesus the Son, and He did it with full and complete obedience to the Father. All of those sins, each and every one from past, present and future, died with Him at the cross. ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.’
There is still hope for those we know and love who, for whatever reason, choose to remain lost.
They don’t believe in a supreme being, never mind accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. They are in this world and believe in the things of this world. This is their home. The hope for their salvation starts with them. First, they must repent of whatever idols are in their lives. And, of course, they must receive Jesus personally as Lord and Savior. No longer will they be of this world as they, like us, await to go home to the New Jerusalem.
Keep in mind, idols or idolatry are just as applicable to the world today as it was when the Israelites foolishly made an idol with their own hands out of the gold they had in their possession; poof, a golden calf was made.
This abomination made by human hands couldn’t breathe, think, walk, talk, etc., but in the Israelites minds, it would replace the Almighty God of Israel.
That word idolatry applies to anything that takes us or turns us away from God. Idolatry or idol worship is available in various shapes and sizes. From physical pleasures to the possession of material things, all of which can easily distract us or divert our attention away from God. The enemy loves that.
Whatever God loves, from Israel and the Jewish people to the body of Christ, Satan hates and will do anything to circumvent that. We are to continue to trust in the Lord no matter our circumstances. What seems impossible for us can be overcome by Him, in His time and His way, if only we would wait on Him. Amen?
The following verses from Colossians instruct us on being focused on God and the things of God. Here’s Colossians 3:1-3.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
In other words, “be holy as I am holy.”