Our paragraph topic is: (He tells them of trials and hard times to come) Part 9.
It was a recipe for disaster. All that could happen would happen, Christ told his disciples. They should know what was to come. They should be prepared for any and all outcomes during the trials and tribulations that Christ was telling them. They were not prepared for all the things that were to come but he put the fear of what was to happen in them to test their faith and belief.
Did they believe in him? Did they really accept him as being the Son of Man, the Messiah? Did they believe all that he was telling them or was this just another tale he created like so many other stories he told to the crowds? But these were his disciples he spoke with, he said: "And because iniquity will abound, the charity of the many will grow cold."
Iniquity, injustice, sin, lawlessness, all will abound and love for the many will cease and grow cold. What will tomorrow bring? What will this time in history look like? Will there be war, famine, pestilence, disease? What will happen to humankind? What will become of the good qualities of mankind? Will they cease to exist, will man return to the dark ages? Even today these are some questions that we can ask ourselves in the present political and civil climate.
What will our God do during such a time? Can we still rely upon his grace? Can we still believe that he will provide for us, protect us, show us the way forward in spite of all that occurs around us? Or should we become afraid for our lives not trusting that our God and Father will provide?
Iniquity my abound. Lawless may increase. Sin may become common place in and around us but all this is no reason for us to waver in our faith and trust in our Father who has given us life eternal. We are but clay vessels in this earthly realm, waiting for the time to be called to our permanent home.
Christ came to let us know that we are more than just human beings, flesh and blood, skin and bones. He came to open the door for us that we would know that there is a heavenly kingdom awaiting us when we leave this earthly realm. He came to let us know that we are spiritual beings given eternal life by the sacrifice he paid on the cross for our sins. He came to give us eternal life everlasting that no one can take from us except us.
So despite what is happening around us, our faith and knowledge in who we are should not waiver. We are children of God, created in his image and likeness given life eternal through Christ Jesus. Iniquity begone! Sin begone! Lawlessness begone! In the name of Jesus Christ we command you begone! We are the children of the almighty, ever living God.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
