Information helps us to make decisions that could make us or break us, and it comes to us from many different sources: from books, the media, politicians, individuals, and from the Bible. As Christians, the only trust-worthy source is the Bible. When we receive information, we are compelled to take action or respond in some fashion. We may choose to disregard it, because we don’t believe it or don’t find it useful or we may actually use the information in a positive way and pass it on to others.
Unfortunately, the information we choose to disregard, often turns out to be information we really need.
The information we receive benefits us, others or both; in either case we need to take some action. If we intentionally disregard information that would benefit us, we do that to our own detriment, and if we don’t pass it on to others who might benefit from it, we do them a disservice.
Having said all that, what have you done with all that you’ve read from the Bible? Is the Word of God gradually changing your life or are you the same old person? For example, has “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15 NIV), made any difference in your life, or are you still stealing and making excuses? Are you bringing supplies home from work or have you stopped? How about, “Continue to work out your salvation
with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12 NIV)? Are you taking your Christian walk seriously? Becoming a Christian is just the beginning. We need to stay alert, study the Word, resist the devil and press on in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we don't fall prey to the devil and sin. When we stay alert, our lives will be transformed, as the Word of God renews our minds. If our lives are not being transformed by the Word, this is what James says, "Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:23-24 NIV).
On the other hand, if we obey what we read or hear, James goes on to say, “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has
heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25 NIV).
These days, everyone is looking at the signs of the times, including unbelievers, and thinking “The Lord’s coming is close.” Of course we don’t know the exact time, but we believe it’s closer
than when we first believed. The Apostle Peter puts it this way, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and
the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought ye to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives” 2 Peter 3:10-11 NIV).
Since His coming is so close and everything is going to be destroyed anyway, what should be our attitude towards THINGS? John says it this way, “Do not love the world or anything in the
world, if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him . . . The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17 NIV). On the brighter side, Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2 NIV).
What should our attitude be towards the unsaved? David says in Psalm 7:11, “God is angry with the wicked every day.” ( that's scary). Also, John says in John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” We need to warn folks the same way we would when the weather forecast is bad and a bad storm is expected. People are sometimes evacuated to ensure no one is hurt. The Apostle Paul puts it this way, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men . . .” 2 Corinthians 5:11 KJV).
So you see, we have enough information in the Bible to admonish us to live godly lives, and to compel us to warn unbelievers to turn to Christ for salvation. Information is not very helpful until it motivates us to take the right action. Please, TAKE ACTION NOW; DON'T WAIT MUCH LONGER!
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