Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Also Proverbs 16:25 – all emphasis mine)
Proverbs 16:8, 18-19; “Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice…. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.” A reminder that the reason Satan fell was due to destructive self-pride.
Of course, we must include Matthew 7:13-14; “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Also important for this message, Romans 12:2; “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
When Jesus was on this earth as a human, He made it clear that the way to Salvation would not be easy. One of the main reasons is, it is difficult to believe and follow something that is not seen. It takes an act of faith, and the majority would rather attach themselves to what they can see, hear and feel. Romans 10:17; “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Jesus said in John 16:33, “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.”
More and more in today’s world, we see His testimony being fulfilled in reference to the end of this age. The changing morals, the falling away from Jesus, and the satanic evil influence increasing everywhere are obvious to those who are willing to face reality.
To the masses, true believers are “losers,” while those joining the evil, abominable causes are declared winners by the world. Satan is getting his last “hurrah” before the wrath of God/Tribulation years get fully started.
Pastors in various places around the world are being charged with criminal offenses for speaking Biblical truth. The LGBT and all the other alphabet groups have gone from hiding in the closet to become a major influence on world politics. Though it hasn’t actually happened in the U.S. yet, in Canada and some places in Europe, there are pastors being charged as “criminals” and are facing prison time. To think it isn’t going to happen here is being totally naïve.
Some may think there’s going to be a great revival, but that just isn’t so. The largest groups that are turning to Jesus right now are in Iran, China, Africa, and some other places around the world. These countries are especially cruel to any Christian converts, and when they are discovered, they usually are martyred. Even in Saudi Arabia, one cannot stand in the streets and proclaim Jesus. In the persecution countries, people are offered amnesty if they renounce Jesus, but most converts would rather “depart and be with Christ,” as given in Philippians 1:23.
In America, the younger generation just doesn’t want to get to know Jesus, as they mostly feel it’s a waste of time. Those that still attend church services seek the ones that offer entertaining programs with catchy music and “flower power” messages. Biblical messages are absent in these “churches.” Jesus, Peter, John, and others warned of an increase in false prophets and antichrists at the end of this age, and this is evident in many previously Bible-based evangelical churches. I say previously because there are a number of them that are “updating” God’s word to say His abominations no longer are considered as sin.
At this point, I am determined to be a “loser” in the eyes of this world. You see, I firmly believe John 14:6 and Acts 4:12 that tell us Jesus is the only way to the Father. John 14:6; “Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Acts 4:12; “And there is Salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Going to Acts 5:29,” But Peter and the apostles answered, we must obey God rather than men.”
I will know I am a true winner when I stand before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due him for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
This is for those who truly believed, received, and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The Judgment Seat is there to receive or lose rewards based on our activity here. Sin can cause believers to suffer loss of some rewards in Heaven, but not cause us to lose our Salvation because of them. And winner or loser, all of us sin, and we will do so as long as we’re in these human bodies (Romans 3:23).
For any who believe they are walking around with a halo over their heads, Romans 3:10 states, “None is righteous; no not one.” Earthly losers will continue to believe there are many ways to Heaven, but eternal winners understand Romans 6:23 very well; “For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” We know we deserve to be the ones that should have been “crucified,” but then we know Our Jesus secured our pardon with His own sinless blood.
Earlier, when the hard straight and narrow was mentioned, it’s understandable that people want to “belong.” To go against the masses is to be cut off from the normal world, which would make our existence here a lot harder. That is until we take our last breath here.
God is not impressed with glowing accolades we may get from our fellow man; He wants to know if we receive and accept His Son. Suddenly, the words of a wonderful song come to mind; “And the things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.)
Actual losers believe all this is foolishness, as stated in 1 Corinthians 1:18. As winners, we know we must admit we’re sinners and confess our sins and seek Jesus to be our Lord and Savior. Believe that He died for our sins and was raised to conquer sin and death by the Father. Call out to be saved (Romans 10:9-13). The final promise of all this is that all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Winner in this world’s beliefs – not interested. Loser because I belong to the Greatest Shepherd that ever lived – must have it!
Jesus will accept all who repent and truly call out for His forgiveness. No one has sinned so greatly that His blood can’t cover it. To die without Jesus is automatically the unforgivable sin and to have a place in line at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). No matter what, all who are in that judgment will end up in the lake of fire; no exceptions; no pardons; no Hope.
Choose today to be a part of the Savior’s flock, and you will eternally be glad you did. This world is rapidly heading for the Rapture, followed by the 7-year tribulation. As long as you have Jesus, you’ll be in the first event, not the last. You will be forever thankful to have called out to Him before it’s too late.
Loser in this world’s view – Winner in God’s eyes!
Shalom!