No one loves a celebration more than me. For one reason, my celebrations usually involve food! I love finding any reason to splurge and head to a restaurant and indulge in good food, good fun and celebration. If I lose one pound in a week, I celebrate on the weekend with a big piece of cheesecake. No one has to convince me into a celebration.
With that said, there’s something I refuse to celebrate. I don’t read Facebook as much as I used to but I can’t help but notice all the recent posts about end times and the judgment of God that is coming. There is a lot going on in our world and many things are pointing us to the end. I will be quick to add, judgment is coming. I believe the end is near. But I refuse to celebrate.
It seems to me and I could be wrong, that Christians can’t wait to see Christ return and make everything right that’s wrong with this world. I have been guilty of this before. And when I see some of the things that are happening, I am tempted to take that approach again. I do long for righteousness to prevail but I also long for salvation in the lives of many people who have not yet accepted Christ as their Savior.
Instead of celebrating the coming judgment of God, I will celebrate the fact that “grace” is available today. That means there is hope for this messed-up crazy world. (John 3:16, Romans 5:15, 2 Corinthians 8:9)
Instead of celebrating the coming judgment of God, celebrate the fact that the most wretched, sinful, evil person can experience God’s forgiveness. And there’s still time for that to happen. That is worth celebrating.
Remember this. When the judgment of God happens and is fully come, many people, many of your loved ones will die and spend eternity in a place called hell. As the love of Christ matures in us, it should move us to weeping and grieving, not to celebrating the coming judgment of God.
Matthew 18:14 – Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Sure it is frustrating to see the continued moral decline of our nation. Sure it is frustrating to think about our kids growing up in a world of great sin. But I don’t want the end to come and find me celebrating. Oh but for God’s amazing grace, I too, would be subject to His judgment.
Many will argue that their rants and posts are to warn people about the coming judgment of God. But I have discovered motivating people with fear only works momentarily. At least that is how it works in my life.
A better option might be helping them discover, understand and embrace the incredible display of grace given by Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary (Romans 5:8). Oh what a difference it has made in my life and will make in my eternity.