Day 195: What Are We Doing?

1 Corinthians 15:1-34; 2 Kings 10 Micah 1

Paul, a man who persecuted believers, becomes one himself. And of his conversion, he says, "But God was kind! He made me what I am and his wonderful kindness wasn't wasted." God took someone who was on the completely opposite side and through his love, transformed him into a man of faith. Paul doesn't want that love from the Father and the sacrifice of the Son to go wasted, so he lives each day for The Lord. The same kindness and sacrifice are offered to us. How are we going to live our lives? As changed people who won't waste those gifts? Or just like everyone in the world who lives for themselves and ignores God?

Paul also tells the Corinthians that they should be "embarrassed that some people still don't know about God." How much more should we, with our Internet, Facebook, Skype, Bible translations, churches, money, be ashamed that there are still people out there that don't know about God!? They were just a few people walking from place to place sharing about Jesus. These people were sold out for The Lord, he meant everything to them, and they were devoted to letting people know. There are enough Christians on this planet that if everyone told a couple of people about Jesus, no one would be left out from hearing about him. But instead, we live our lives in our box, going to work, church on the weekends, and that's it. What are we doing to spread the kingdom, and carry out the Great Commission?

The Lord had promised that because Ahab was so wicked, his entire family would be wiped out. And a few chapters later, that becomes a reality. Not only does Ahab die, but so do all of his descendants. God takes rebellion against him very seriously. Thankfully, he had a servant who was willing to carry out this bloody deed. I don't think God works in the same way today. We don't have Christian armies that go out an slaughter people. But I do think that the consequences for sin do that for God. As his followers, we need to try our hardest to not compromise with sin in our lives and tell people about Jesus so that such destruction as seen in 2 Kings won't happen to people at the end times.

In Micah, there is a powerful picture of The Lord: "And he will come down to crush underfoot every pagan altar. Mountains will melt beneath his feet like wax beside a fire. Valleys will vanish like water rushing down a ravine." God has great power and someday he will use it. What's God waiting for? I'm not sure, but his timing is perfect. There will come a day when he has had enough and wants to rescue his children from sin and persecution and so Christ will come to destroy the pagan religions and set up his kingdom on earth. I praise God because he has the power to do that!