CHANGING TIMES

March 2008 article by Chris Butler

How much has changed in the 12 months since my last article – oil has reached 100 dollars a barrel, petrol is at record prices, financial markets have been in turmoil, we still have wars going on, violence seems to be increasing, morals are declining even further and there appears to be very little respect from some people for other people and property. I could continue but we need to move on. Instead of rushing to and fro, grabbing what we can and putting other people down we need to remember about love.

People who read their Bibles are not surprised at the events of today’s world, for many years ago Timothy told us all about today’s world.

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Having nothing to do with them.” 2 Tim 3 vs 1-5 – NIV.

Many people assume that we all go to heaven, but according to the Bible we are told in John chapter 3 v 13: “No-one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man.” So what happens when we die? We go to the grave and Psalm 6 verse 5 “No-one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from his grave?” If we want a better life on a better earth we need to look to God who will direct our ways as this world is in turmoil.

Turn to God, find out about him, pick up your Bible and study what God has planned for all of us. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3 v 9, NIV.

We need to act upon what God wants us to do and not on other people. Believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ and what He did for all those that will seek Him and try to follow his pattern - He died for us! Study the Bible and find out how to be saved. Micah 6 v 8 says “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. (NIV)

We are living in what the Bible calls the last days. Read for yourself Matthew chap 24 vs 4-14. We cannot save ourselves from the events that are going to happen but we can be saved from the consequences if we believe and are baptised. No-one else can save us.

“Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16 v 16, NIV. Read for yourselves Acts 2 vs 37-41. There are many more passages to find. Pick up your Bible and search out what God has to offer - through His Son we can be saved and have eternal life in a wonderful kingdom on earth.

Love in the Lord to everyone.