I For too often the news has accounts of innocent people being murdered. In fact, it seems “old hat” for some when they hear of people being murdered in public gathering places and in schools. Could it be the general public has come to accept such behavior as part of daily living? This is exactly what terrorists want people to feel. Friends “it does not have to be this way.” Contrary to such feelings, the world’s terror dilemma demands constant monitoring and preventative action.
Even though loss of life from such activity is troublesome, those who die outside of Christ face an even greater danger—the loss of their souls. Terrorists can surely kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul (Matthew 10:28). From the word of God man learns of Satan’s evil arsenal, which he brings to bear on the lives of men and women. Yes, his influential evil deeds are far more serious than murder, for acceptance of them has eternal consequences for the soul of man.
The apostle Paul warned of perilous times promoted by men who love themselves more than God. In his second epistle to Timothy, Paul penned, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves…” (2 Timothy 3:1-2a). These dangerous times will be initiated by selfish men; men who have rejected the light and been blinded by the god of this world. Expanding upon the character of these dangerous men, Paul declared, that they are not only lovers of themselves, they will be “…lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:2-4). By being attentive to the world and its allurements, these men have fallen into the trap of the evil one (1 John 2:15-17). They will have their reward in the day of judgment (Hebrews 9:27). For they will be judged by God’s standards—not their own. And “because He has fixed a day on which He will have the world judged in righteousness by a man, Jesus, whom He has appointed, and of this He has given his assurance to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31-33).
Just how dangerous are those who seek the pleasures of this present world rather than obeying God? Just how concerned should we be about our own souls? The apostle Paul advised Timothy to be very attentive, for these men will be seen as “…having a form of godliness, but denying its power. And from such people turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5)! To avoid spiritual contamination, disciples of Christ must turn away from evil men.
Are you troubled by the prevalence of sin in our present world? Remember, it does not have to be that way for you! Are you willing to help Jesus solve this problem? To get right with God, sin-sick people need only to turn from sin and let “…the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, shine on them…” (2 Corinthians 4:4). By hearing, believing, repenting and confessing the name of Jesus as the son of God, and being buried with Him in baptism sins will be washed away; then Jesus will add the saved ones to His church (Acts 2:36-47) (Roman 6:1-6) (Galatians 3:27).
By remaining faithful till death, disciples of Christ will obtain eternal life in Heaven (Revelation 2:10).