I've been thinking about the future. Eternity, to be exact. There was something that took place in my life recently and I feel like there are many things that could be said and many things that could be done, but the best words come from THE Word, and the best things that could be done are done by the Lord.
When dealing with people about their salvation or their spiritual welfare, there is only so much you can say and do. And when you suggest seeking help from the Pastor or from another spiritual leader but they refuse, there is nothing you can do about it. Nothing you say is going to be taken as advice and followed through on. It's going to be your opinion and they will argue that you just don't understand. It is then you have to throw up your hands and just give them to the Lord. You don't give up on them, but there is really nothing more you can do but pray for them.
If you get the impression they are placing blame on you for their lack of willingness to give in to the Holy Spirit, for their fighting against what they know is right, remember that they are only fighting a spiritual battle and not really you. When the time comes to stand before the Lord, your hands will be clean. The blame will be their own. They will give account for hearing the Word and not accepting. They will give account for not taking advice and seeking a spiritual leader in their lives. God will tell them, "Depart, I knew you not." And that will be the saddest outcome of that situation.
Whether or not they are faithful to church or involved in ministries is not important. Church and being involved in ministries does not take you to Heaven.
Tonight in family devotions, one of Bruce's verses focused on Nahum 1:7 "The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet."
The Lord is slow to anger. A sinner who knows what they must do to be saved, but resists the Holy Spirit, may get by with that for a very long time before they give in. Maybe they'll never give in at all. If they do give in to the Holy Spirit, wonderful! But if they continue to resist, knowing they are bound for Hell and die in that sin, the Lord will not AT ALL acquit them. Acquit means to declare not guilty. They will be held accountable and will be found guilty for denying the One that gave His life so freely for them.
"...the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet." A mighty GOD is in control and we should be aware of His presence!
The other verse Bruce focused on was Nahum 1:7 "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble: and he knoweth them that trust in him." Christians have a LORD to look to when their life takes unexpected turns and paths. He is our strong hold when we can not go on. When the valley is too dark and lonely, He knows us. But for those who have never trusted in Him, they do not know Him and He does not know them. He is not their strong hold. He is not their refuge. How difficult life must be for those who do not know Him!
There is nothing too big for God. There is nothing in our lives that can weigh us down when we are His child. There is no mountain He can not move. No valley He can not deliver us from.
