“If Anyone has no Love for the Lord

^“If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22 ESV)

Today, many begin to lose their ability to obtain food. The world looks on as the United States government is closed. A laugh to many in other countries, humiliating as an American, and our leaders purposely hurt the very ones they swore to protect.

Many are asking why. My answer is consistently the same: this world is in control of Satan. My second response is always from Proverbs 21:1, “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” Consider this: society has rejected God. They are electing the same people over and over to govern them and make all their decisions on their own, excluding God. God is in control. So, like Israel, who told God they wanted a King like other countries, rejecting God as their King (1 Samuel 8), God is doing the same to our modern society. From Israel in 1 Samuel 8 through history, it has declined due to human decisions and a rejection of God which continues today.

However, we must remember God is in control and Christ told us He will return. In today’s verse, Paul asks the Lord to return. In Greek, the word Maranatha (μαράνα θά - Strong’s 3134), a direct translation of Aramaic, is used; it is an expression of approaching divine judgment and is seen in scripture as "Come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20).

In Revelation, Christ told John, “I am coming soon.” (v 20) The word “soon” is sometimes translated as: quickly.” This aligns with Peter’s words in 2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief,” meaning it will come suddenly and without warning. As for those trying to predict the second coming, good luck, Christ said, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” (Acts 1:7)

Perhaps Christ used these phrases so that we would interpret them to mean that the next great act of God in the world would be His second coming. Maybe He did this so that we would say to ourselves, “He may be coming in my lifetime.” All of this is possible, and in my mind, probable. My question to you is, are you ready? Are you prepared to see Christ coming on the clouds? (Rev 1:7) Revelation implies many things must happen first. We should remember that those things can come to fruition like a lightning bolt.

Christ made me what I was. He remade me what I am now, and now all I can do is grow as he waters me, a branch of the vine (John 15:5). Today, many of those truly in Christ say Marana tha, Come, Lord Jesus. I could no longer walk away from this ministry, nor from the others God had given me to watch over or participate in. Ask yourself, what different decisions would I make in my life? What would I do differently in my life if I knew Christ was coming? What would I walk away from? If there are answers in your heart to these questions, if you would make changes, make them now.

Yes, the world is in the hands of the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), a reference to the spiritual forces of evil that influence the world. Yes, God has turned them (society) over to debased minds (Romans 1:28), minds that are morally corrupt and devoid of spiritual understanding. But you have a choice. Read the Living Word of God. Know what God expects of you. Place your faith firmly in the risen Son of God and believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross. The goings-on of this world are human folly. The true King is coming, are you ready if He came in this instant? I pray you are.

Be strong in the Lord, and know that God provides all things. Forget the idea that “God helps those who help themselves”; that, my brothers and sisters, is nonsense. You and I need a Savior; we are unable to help ourselves. Ask the Lord into your heart, repent of your sins, and find salvation by grace through faith in Christ. Come, Lord Jesus.

Grace and Peace