Introduction
One of the things I really enjoy doing with the ministry the Lord has blessed me with is answering questions of believers and unbelievers alike. The questions people have never cease to amaze me; most I have never even considered myself.
This QFTBOC (Questions From the Body of Christ) series are articles from these questions I have received and will be in a question and response format.
If you or someone you know has a question pertaining to the Word of God – theology, difficult passages, eschatology, etc. – I would really like to hear from you.
If I end up using your question, and you would like to have your name and/or place of residence listed on the question in the article, please specify with your submitted question; otherwise, if I use your question, it will be listed as “Anonymous.”
Regardless, I will make every attempt to answer every person’s questions in a response to the emails I receive. Depending on volume, it may be a little while until you hear back from me, but my intention is to respond to all inquiries.
Other articles in this series are: QFTBOC: Civil Disobedience and Patriotism, QFTBOC: Memory – Fully Retained or Total Reset?, QFTBOC: Psalm 91, Protection, & God’s Will, QFTBOC: God’s Chastisement of His Children, QFTBOC: What’s Satan’s Problem?, QFTBOC: Can We Know Another’s Salvation?, QFTBOC: Childbirth Purification & Christ, QFTBOC: Biblical Slavery, and QFTBOC: Peter & John at the Palace of the High Priest
Question
Hi, Mark!
I appreciate your writings to help explain to us the work and plans of our omnipotent and holy Lord God.
I am overwhelmed by grief over the apparent number of people who are happily deceived and unashamedly on their way to eternal damnation.
I am surrounded by loved ones and strangers who are nihilists, paganists, false teachers, Mormons, Catholics, or dedicated to a worldly misunderstanding of what is really going on.
I personally know Jesus Christ as my merciful Savior and holy Lord. I am not a Calvinist, but I do believe in predestination.
How do you recommend that we Christians live in this dark and dying world?
Carrie Bentley
Arcata, CA
Response
Hi Carrie!
Thanks so much for your email and kind words. I truly appreciate it!
Your question is excellent, and I’m certain that most truly born-again Christians are experiencing this same grief and concern as they look around at the condition of the world and those within their own sphere of influence.
I want to assure you that what you are experiencing is quite natural. We live in a dark world that can seem overwhelming at times. But we should expect this, as we live in the last days. So, while this can be very concerning to us, it should also be very exciting! Our Lord is coming back soon!!
To begin with, I’m suggesting two other past articles that may help the believer to better understand our role in these end times and to reassure the child of God that they are in the Lord’s will as they move on in their journey on earth for Him.
The first is for the believer: Answering the Call of The Great Commission.
The second was written mainly for the unbeliever: Why Am I Here and What Is It All About? This article can be very helpful to the believer, also in reaching out to the unbeliever, either by printing it out or sharing via email to unbelievers.
The reason I’m pointing this out is because this truly is why our Lord has us on the earth at this exciting – yet disturbing – time in history. That is, to share with a lost a dying world the gospel of Jesus Christ in an effort to save them from the wrath to come and an eternity without Him. This, after all, is God’s will.
Like you, I understand God’s sovereignty, election, and predestination, as well as man’s responsibility and free will in coming to Christ by grace through faith. “The Lord… is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Both are true — even though it can be a little difficult to wrap our finite minds around. And it is this free will and human responsibility in coming to God that we must be promoting in every person we come into contact with – using love, grace, and truth – as we witness to them for our Lord and Savior in an attempt to lead them to Christ.
Your grief – our grief – for the lost is a great sign! We recognize the unbeliever’s destiny apart from Christ and, once we comprehend this, we must move out in faith and love to warn them. But often, fear gets in our way.
No Fear
Fear is not depression and/or grief; but fear can result in depression and/or grief. Therefore, we must defeat fear, relying solely on the Holy Spirit of God!
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
When we have God’s power and love, we can move mountains with the faith He gives to us as we serve Him. There truly is nothing to fear, for:
“If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b).
The absence of fear is peace or shalom. Jesus said:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
Paul echoes this shalom to the Philippians:
“Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
When God’s “peace… which passeth all understanding… keeps [our] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” then the sky’s the limit when it comes to fulfilling His perfect will as revealed in His Holy Scriptures. Namely, growing Christ’s Kingdom.
Abiding in Christ
Walking with Christ is walking in Christ:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love” (John 15:7-9).
His power, His strength, His love, and His mission for us is to “bear much fruit.” For Jesus said:
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).
We, as Christ’s servants who abide in Him, have His Holy Spirit. Therefore, we have the fruit of His Spirit, which is:
“… love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Occupying Until He Comes
In the parable of the pounds, Christ’s illustration clarifies our duties as His servants:
“He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:12-13).
The “ten pounds” in Luke are equivalent to the “talents” in Matthew 25:14-30. In both cases, the Lord has given His servants “talents” or gifts that enable the believer to produce fruit for His Kingdom. Truly amazing that the Creator of the universe desires to use such tarnished vessels as ourselves and has entrusted us with such an important and life-changing responsibility as leading others to Christ Himself!
Until we die – or the Lord takes us home in the rapture – we must abide in Him and carry out His Great Commission, which is His will for our lives.
Stay Focused on Christ and Preach the Gospel
Honestly, if we desire God’s will – and we all should – we have to share the gospel with a dark, dying, and lost world.
“And he [Jesus] said unto them [His disciples], Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
Here is where our fear and grief will dissipate: when we consider the lost. If we are witnessing, preaching the gospel, and pointing others to Christ, then I guarantee our grief will flee away. We are doing our part for Christ’s Kingdom. We are fulfilling the will of God.
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).
Our example to others – saved and unsaved – can have eternal consequences. For the saved, we energize and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ and edify them with our words and actions. For the unsaved, they see what we have – peace, love, joy, and contentment. And we can be sure that they want that too! This often opens the door for conversations and sharing. But we must never be content in this process only – we have to often make the first moves, and that can be as simple as asking a question: “What do you think is going to happen to us when we die?”
The gospel of Christ is so simple that a child can understand it.
“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2-3).
“How shall they believe in Him of Whom they have not heard?”
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:13-15).
Let’s be the Lord’s feet “that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Standing Firm Against the Enemy
Lastly – and most importantly, while living in this wicked world – we must know who our enemy is and put on the whole armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-18:
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Thankfully, we don’t have to be strong in ourselves, but “in the Lord, and the power of His might!”
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Always remember that the lost are not our enemy – Satan and his demonic horde are.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
Jesus Christ is our truth, and He is our righteousness. Remember, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
“And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;”
We are to be at peace with all men – saved and lost.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
When we stand strong in the faith of the Son of God, we are able to stand against the enemy of our souls, and through Christ, we are to prevail.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Our Lord and Savior’s salvation, and His indwelling Spirit, is made manifestly powerful by His glorious Word. Every child of God needs the Word of God every day! To have the Word of God present in our lives, we must know the Word of God. We must study the Scriptures every day; this, the child of God must never overlook.
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:10-18).
Pray always for everything and in everything and, most importantly, for everyone! Be that intercessor for your brothers and sisters in Christ and keep the lost forever on your heart and in your prayers.
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6).
Death is nothing less than a new beginning of life eternal with our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now that’s something not to fear!
Conclusion
So, please, don’t be discouraged or grieved in these unsettling times. But be bold for Christ and excited that He thought you worthy to live in these last of the last days, and share the love of Christ with people who so desperately need to know Him.
“Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” and “love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).
May the Lord grant us all his love, peace, and joy as we go through these dark days together, just before the Lord calls His church home to be with Him forever!
Thanks again for your email and kind words!
May the Lord richly bless you and yours as you continue to bless others through Him and for Him. Keep reaching the lost for Christ, as I don’t think we have much time left.
I wanted to leave the reader with the words of Carrie – which she shared with me in our conversations together – that I really believe to be of great importance. Carrie said:
“Having dealt with depression myself, I believe that other readers that would resonate with this question need to be reminded – as I do – that living the true Christian life isn’t about how we feel or how comfortable we are with Who God is or how He does things. We are instead to learn as much as we can about His holiness, His omnipotence, His amazing grace, and His relentless love, and realize we can trust Him completely in all things and in all circumstances.”
Well said, my sister in Christ! Well said!
Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!
➢ Email: mab10666@yahoo.com
➢ If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ and are seeking answers about God, Jesus Christ, the gospel, and salvation, please email me at mab10666@yahoo.com for information.
➢ I am still taking questions for the Questions from the Body of Christ series. If you or someone you know has a question pertaining to the Word of God – theology, difficult passages, eschatology, etc. – I would really like to hear from you.
➢ A listing of past articles may be found at my Article Listings on Rapture Ready or my Home Page on FaithWriters.