¿Lo crees que viene el día del juicio final?

Sólo saben, con certeza, lo que crees. ¿Si creemos, como cree el apóstol Pablo (2 Timoteo 1:12; 4:6-7), debemos hacer algunos exámenes de conciencia y preguntar por qué vivimos como si no creemos? Pablo declara: 'Yo sé que han creído y estoy convencido de que es capaz de mantenerlo que me he comprometido a él contra ese día'. Habla de "ese día", el día del juicio. Y así, Pablo comprometió a estar preparado para afrontar ese día. Pero algunos incrédulos burlan y burlan a la noción de que Jesucristo regresarán y juzgar al mundo. ¿Dijeron: "prometió venir, no él? ¿Dónde está él? Nuestros antepasados ya han muerto, pero todo sigue siendo el mismo como lo fue desde la creación del mundo!" (2 Pedro 3:3-4) Cierto ellos ignoran voluntariamente, que los cielos fueron en el tiempo antiguo, y la tierra que por agua y en agua está asentada, por la palabra de Dios; (2 Pedro 3:5) Destrucción llegó rápidamente, como un ladrón en la noche. Porque como en los días antes del diluvio estaban comiendo y bebiendo, casándose y dando en casamiento, hasta el día que Noé entró en el arca, Y no conocieron hasta que vino el diluvio y llevó á todos, así será también la venida del Hijo del hombre. (Mateo 24:38-39) Destrucción llegó con certeza. Dios habían prometido destruir el mundo. (Genesis 6:6-7) Enoch, bisabuelo de Noé, incluso había profetizado: “He aquí, el Señor es venido con sus santos millares, A hacer juicio contra todos, y á convencer á todos los impíos de entre ellos tocante á todas sus obras de impiedad que han hecho impíamente, y á todas las cosas duras que los pecadores impíos han hablado contra él.” (Judas 1:14-15) Desde que Jesús ascendieron al cielo, los cristianos en todo el mundo han sido esperando y esperando ansiosamente su regreso; para él había prometido, “voy, pues, á preparar lugar para vosotros. Y si me fuere, y os aparejare lugar, vendré otra vez, y os tomaré á mí mismo: para que donde yo estoy, vosotros también estéis.” (Juan 14:2-3) Pablo cree que al final de la vida sería una "corona de Justicia, que el Señor, el juez justo le iba a dar"en ese día"y no a él solo,"pero les también que aman su apareciendo". (2 Timoteo 4:8) También lo creemos, pues sabemos que El Señor no tarda su promesa, como algunos la tienen por tardanza; sino que es paciente para con nosotros, no queriendo que ninguno perezca, sino que todos procedan al arrepentimiento. (2 Pedro 3:9)

Do You Believe the Judgment Day is Coming?

Only you know, for sure, what you believe. If we believe, as the apostle Paul believed (2 Timothy 1:12; 4:6-7), then we must do some soul-searching and ask why we would live as though we do not believe? Paul declares: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” He speaks of “that day”, The Day of Judgment. And so, Paul committed himself to being prepared to meet that day. But some unbelievers mock and scoff at the notion that Jesus Christ will return and judge the world. They said: “He promised to come, didn't he? Where is he? Our ancestors have already died, but everything is still the same as it was since the creation of the world!” (2 Peter 3:4) What they conveniently forget is the example in the Old Testament of how God brought judgment upon the first world and destroyed it by a great flood (2 Peter 3:5). Destruction came swiftly, like a thief in the night. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:38-39) Destruction came with certainty. God had promised to destroy the world (Genesis 6:6-7). Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, had even prophesied: “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (Jude 1:14-15) Since Jesus ascended back into heaven, Christians everywhere have been waiting and eagerly expecting his return; for he had promised, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3) Paul believed that at the end of life that would be a “crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge would give him “at that day”, and not to him only, “but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8) So also do we believe, for we know that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

How Blessed We Are

To whom much is given, much is required; and to whom much is given, much is expected. Luke 12:48 NIV New International Version But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. We, who are blessed with spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit, are required, first of God and then of men, to do much more than mere mortal men. Giving of ourselves is expected and required. Luke 12:48 BBE Bible in Basic English But he who, without knowledge, did things for which punishment is given, will get only a small number of blows. The man to whom much is given, will have to give much; if much is given into his care, of him more will be requested. We have been chastened by a few stripes, because we were without knowledge. We were children, stupid idiots, really. With the years came more knowledge. Experience administered to us our proper doses of strips, by hard knocks. A Message to Hard Knocks We have all had our pleasures in this life. Our fall from grace and the Lord’s redemption is our story. It is the story of hard knocks and falls. To the Hard Knocks: In order to overcome past mistakes, take the advice of Paul, the apostle: Philippians 3:12-14 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. First: We must recognize that we are not all perfect. The biggest room in the world is the room for self-improvement. It is too easy to revert back to old sins and old life-styles. Choose the path less chosen, by the few and the chosen. Second: Let go of the past. Forget, without forgetting from whence you came. We are no longer our old selves. Third: Keep “reaching” for perfection, keep getting up after each fall, keep march forward, until you meet the Sun. Stretch yourself beyond human measure to reach the finish line, and to hear the Lord say: WELL DONE.

On Second Thought

People sometimes say things they do not mean. Some will later have second thoughts and regrets, while others never think twice. In the following parable, Jesus uses this scenario to teach a lesson about repentance.

A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, “Son, go work to-day in my vineyard”. He answered and said, “I will not”: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, “I go, sir”: and went not. (Matthew 21:28-30)

Then Jesus asked a simple question: “Whether of them twain did the will of his father?” (v. 31a)

The father gave each son the same command: Go work today in my vineyard. Therefore, both sons knew their father’s will, but the first son had no intention of doing it. Upon second thought, he regretted what he had said. The scriptures tell us that he repented. He went beyond feeling remorseful. He showed proof of his repentance by going to work in his father’s vineyard.

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV)

Since we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we should give thought to what we are doing or not doing, repent, and do the will of our Father in Heaven.

Unfortunately, the second son, for whatever reason, never went into the vineyard to work as his father commanded him. We cannot assume that he had no intentions of going. Maybe he did have good intentions, and maybe he just procrastinated and wasted away the day and the opportunity to do his father’s will. Maybe, on the other hand, he wanted to find grace and favor in his father’s presence, but later had a change of heart. Maybe he was deceiving himself. Maybe he was trying to deceive the father. Maybe he felt that the empty promise was justification, in and of itself.

In any case, he did not obey his father’s commandment. He did not go and he did no work. But worse, he saw no reason to repent.

This is where people in the religious world make a critical mistake today, believing that good intentions are acceptable to God. When they fall short of doing His will, they make the excuse, “Well, God knows my heart”. Therefore, they see no cause for repentance.

But man’s heart can deceive him (1 John 1:8), and God is greater than our heart (1 John 3:20).

So, which of the two brothers did his father’s will? The answer should be obvious, even to a child. But the meaning of the parable was not so obvious to whom it was directed, mainly the chief priests and elders in Matthew 21:23. And, the answer might not be so obvious to whom it now applies.

Jesus explains, in verses 31-32, why sinners like publicans and the harlots would enter into the kingdom of God before the self-righteous priests and elders. Like the first son who initially refused to do his father’s will, the publicans and harlots heard the preaching of John the Baptist about the coming of the kingdom of God; they believed it and, more importantly, repented. But these religious leaders, who thought they were already in the grace of God, rejected the preaching of John, and refused to repent.

The important point of this lesson is not so much centered on what a person says. People can easily say things they do not mean. Rather, it is about what a person does, and not simply as a matter of good intentions. There is a saying: The road to hell is paved with good intentions. As the scripture says:

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Romans 10:3 KJV

No, it is not about what people say. And, it is not a matter of doing things with good intentions. Remember Jesus asked the question: Which one did his father’s will? Therefore, the answer lies in doing the will of the God, according to His commandments.

The father in the parable commanded: Go work today in my vineyard. On the other hand, we feel that we can go wherever we wish and do whatever we want. But if we do not go into the Father’s vineyard and do His work, we cannot enter into His kingdom.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16)

Choosing a Mate - Part 2

Praying for a spouse, here are some Biblical qualities that Christians should look for even when they’re dating. Remember the person you date, you could soon someday marry!

General Qualities

1. Marry a Christian. If a Christian marries a non-Christian, they do not share the common values in Christ. God does recognize a marriage to an unbeliever (1 Cor. 7:12-16; 1 Pet. 3:1-2), but such a relationship will present problems that could otherwise be avoided (1 Cor.7:39; 9:5; 1 Pet. 3:7).

2. Marry one who wants children (Ps. 127:3-5; Prov. 31:28; Mal. 2:15; Gen. 9:1; 1 Tim. 2:15). Marriage is God’s way of multiplying the human race, but He wants Godly offspring. Before you marry, discuss this subject and…discuss how the children are to be raised. Such things should not be taken for granted, as it will seriously affect the marriage relationship.

3. Marry a virgin (Song of Solomon 4:12; Gen. 2:23-24). Examine Bible verses that stress virginity and see the implications. For example, a priest could only marry a virgin (Lev. 21:7-15). Lawful sex pertains to the marriage relationship, and outside of that relationship it is forbidden—including pre-marital sex (Song of Solomon 2:7; 8:4). Abstinence before marriage is the wise and godly choice. This does not mean that such sins cannot be forgiven and marriage is no longer an option.

4. Marry one who is honest (Prov. 11:1; 13:11). Honesty is a basic measure of character. If a person is not honest, that person cannot be depended upon in any area of life.

5. Marry one who will be faithful to the relationship (Prov. 2:16-19; 5:3-14; 6:24-33; 7:6-23). Marriage is a covenant relationship (Mal. 2:14-16) and must be respected. Question: Can marriage survive infidelity? Yes, but there has to be genuine repentance and forgiveness. There is a difference in having the right to divorce because of infidelity and divorce being required. We should work to keep marriages intact.

6. Marry one who isn’t lazy. This pertains to men and women (Prov. 24:30-34; 31:27; 2 Thess. 3:10). Laziness leads to poverty, dishonesty, and other bad traits.

7. Marry one who is a good listener. Good communication is a key to a happy marriage. One cannot consider the needs of others unless he/she is willing to listen (James 1:19). This is how we show that we care. Beware of those who desire only to hear themselves.

8. Marry one who exhibits love for others (1 Cor. 13:4-7).

9. Marry one whom you love and who loves you (Song of Solomon 8:6-7; Eph. 5:25-29, 33; Titus 2:4).

10. Marry one who is considerate. The opposite is to be crude and rude (1 Sam. 25:3, 25). This trait comes from an attitude of putting others ahead of self (Phil. 2:3).

11. Do not marry someone who is guilty of physical or mental abuse (Prov. 27:3-4). Ignoring such conduct does not solve the problem. Many wives who are married to abusive husbands become “codependent” and live in fear and misery.

12. Do not marry someone who has a temper problem (Prov. 19:19; 22:24-25; 27:3). There is no peace for those who associate with such a person.

13. Marry one who has a sense of humor (Prov. 17:22). Don’t take yourself so seriously that you lose your sense of humor. Godly humor is not designed to harm or put down others, but is designed to reduce tension, is appropriate to the occasion, and keeps sadness from becoming overwhelming.

14. Marry one with whom you share common backgrounds and interests. The more people have in common, the easier the adjustments will be in marriage.

15. Do not marry someone addicted to drugs or alcohol. Sometimes people get married thinking that love conquers all, or that they will rescue or reform their mate. If such people will not change before marriage, what makes you think they will change after marriage?

16. Marry one who can forgive and accept forgiveness. This is part of what it means to love others.

17. Marry one who can accept correction or criticism (Prov. 12:1; 13:18). This requires humility and the ability to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.

18. Marry a friend (Prov. 17:17; 18:24). Your mate should be someone with whom you can confide and open your heart; one who always has your best interest in mind (Song of Solomon 5:16).

19. Marry one who is financially responsible. Money issues are a leading reason for divorce.

20. Marry one who practices good hygiene. Cleanliness is something that we do for others and not just for ourselves. If one is sloppy in appearance, it will be reflected in other things as well.

21. Marry one who is an optimistic and joyful (Prov. 18:14; Phil. 4:4-7, 11-13).

22. Marry one who has good self-esteem (Song of Solomon 1:5; 2:1). The Bible teaches that we cannot love others if we do not love ourselves (Matt. 22:39; Eph. 5:28-30).

23. Marry one who shares the same moral and spiritual values. Someone who defends homosexuality or accepts the doctrines of humanism has no common ground with a Christian (2 Cor. 6:14-19).

24. Marry one who is a good example to others (1 Tim. 4:8-12). Good character should top any list.

25. Do not marry one simply for looks (Prov. 11:22; 31:30). To be good looking, a good athlete, a powerful king, or a good lover is no substitute for true love that lasts.

Submitted by,
Winston
Bro. A. D. Winston

Choosing a Mate

(Part 1)

We have lost a lot of young people to the world, reflecting a failure on the part of the church and the home. I have posed the question to many Christians as to what training or preparation for marriage they have received. Better still, what were they taught as to the traits to look for in choosing a mate? Most replied that they received little or no instruction. If that is the case, why are we surprised when our young people make poor choices in marriage and often leave Christ? Should this not be a priority when we teach them, or do we simply leave it to chance or allow their hearts to be filled with wrong ideas about marriage?

The compiled lists are indeed idealistic in some respects but are designed to be practical as well. Some negative characteristics are to be avoided altogether and should immediately cause a “red flag” to go up in the mind. The purpose is to provide young people/singles with guidelines in choosing a mate rather than acting out of emotion or physical attraction.
There is no such thing as a “perfect” spouse nor am I suggesting that such can be found. My advice to young people/singles is this: take your time and do not rush into a premature decision. It is better not to marry than to marry the wrong person. Here are some qualities that a young man and woman should seek.

Qualities to be sought by a Christian Woman:

1. Chose a leader. This does not mean a domineering man. He needs to take into consideration his wife’s advice and needs, but is able to make final decisions and take responsibility for them. He understands that some matters need to be turned over to his wife (Prov.31:10ff). For example, a woman ought to have the right to make decisions that pertain to her domestic role in the home. The husband must understand that he must submit to his head—Christ. Male leadership in the church, for example, is first developed in the home (1 Tim. 3:2,5).

2. Chose a good provider (1 Tim.5:8; 2 Thess.3:10b). Since the man is the head of the family, he should be diligent in work (Gen.3:17b-19). Since marriage is a partnership, this does not fall exclusively upon the male (Prov.31:10ff). Special instructions given to widows imply that women are to be diligent also (1 Tim.5:14-16).

3. Chose a protector. He must be willing to lay down his life for you (Eph.5:25).

Qualities to be sought by a Christian Man:

1. Chose a good mother—a person who loves children (1 Tim.2:15; 5:14; Titus 2:4).

2. Chose a person of character. The way a woman dresses reflects her character. Does she put herself on display by showing an inordinate emphasis upon looks? God’s woman is to reflect modesty along with a meek and quite spirit.

3. Chose one who enjoys being a woman and rejoices in her God-given feminine traits.

Let’s prepare our children and encourage other singles to seek God in all decisions, especially dating.

To God be the Glory,
Winston
Bro. A. D. Winston

A Word about Christmas

By Eddie Griffin

Monday, December 20, 2010

A word to the wise about the holiday of Christmas: “One man esteems one day above another: esteems every day alike” (Romans 14:5). “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday” (Colossians 2:16).

No one knows the exact day Jesus Christ was born. Therefore, we should avoid the unprofitable and vain act of entertaining “foolish questions, genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law”, as Paul says in Titus 3:9.

There was a indeed a night, esteemed above all other nights, when the angels and multitude in heaven appeared to shepherds keeping their flocks, and the glory of the Lord shone rounds about them. In heaven, they rejoiced, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:8-14).

Unto us, a child is born. Unto us, a son is given. (Isaiah 9:6). The birth of Christ was the fulfillment of a long-awaited prophecy.

The celebration of the birth of Christ might be called the first Christmas were the day not corrupted by the imaginations and practices of men. Nevertheless, we can keep the celebration, any and every day, giving glory to God for sending His Son to take away our sins. Other than that, the day of Christmas holds no more meaning in significance than the Fourth of July.