WHAT DID YOU CELEBRATE?
By Randy Loudenslager
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom
as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect
to everyone: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor
the king.
1 Peter 2:16-17
Another Independence day has come and gone. America celebrates her freedom. She does not know that her coveted freedom has made her a slave to depravity. "God is obviously pleased with us," they say. "Look at our treasures, look at our freedom to enjoy them," they boast. "Who is mightier than us?" they challenge. "We must be God's chosen people. Of course God will spare us from the judgments to come, haven't you read the Bible?" they confidently exhort.
"OBEDIENCE!" Comes the roar of the lion of Judah. "REPENT!" Comes his final offer of mercy. "HUMBLE YOURSELVES!" He calls as the battle lines draw close. The creator of all that is seen and unseen says the hour is near and in fact has come. His patience, now almost gone, is giving way to His holy wrath. Yes, God is angry. He has held out His hand of mercy to a people who are obstinate and rebellious. The wounds He bore on His body for us sting from the saliva of those He has loved but who spit at Him from within their shackles of depravity. You will be judged according to what you have done!
Hold fast my children, cleave onto me. You will witness my right arm smash my enemies. It will be then that you will truly celebrate Independence day! Although for a little while you will suffer at the hands of those who worship with lips, I will redeem you from them, your faithfulness and obedience will be richly rewarded.
Israel's prophets are pleading with her to resist the world but they cannot hear them. Their fears lead them away from me. They follow false prophets who multiply among you. These deceiving spirits tell you of a new realm of peace, yes they prepare its way. "Soon God will bring great revival of the hearts of man and Israel will be at peace and protected," they council. Test their spirits! Did my prophets before them foresee such things for this time? Did I not warn you that once more I would leave my wife in her adultery? Did I not say that once more she will be punished?
I am removing my lampstand from those who say they are my body but do works that bring dishonor to my Name! I will leave a remnant among you whom you would be wise to listen to, but you will not. They WILL harvest the hearts of many, but many will not be sincere. For my name alone they will give their lives and for my name alone I will raise them up on the last day!
Should a king plead with you? And yet I, for my name's sake, do plead with you. Why church are you silent in the hour of your triumph? A multitude has longed to see the appointed time and yet you tremble in fear of what is coming upon the earth. Am I not able to deliver you? Obey me and wrath will not be your end. Leave those who fear man. Leave them, they are afraid to offend man. Did I ask any of you to apologize in my name? Leave those who quote the letter of the law but the spirit of the law they are ashamed of. I will be ashamed of them before my Father! Behold, I am coming soon and my reward is with me. I will give to each according to what he has done. Blessed is he who has a part in the first resurrection.