You are making a difference

Posted byoakhillcrossvillePosted inUncategorized
Good morning everyone,
 
Our theme for this month: “Lifelong learning”
 
Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, and then the lawless one will be revealed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 (CSB)
 
Our thought for today: “Yes, you are making a difference”
 
This morning we will continue considering our question from yesterday regarding how our lifelong learning and our efforts to live faithfully for Christ in the midst of a lost and evil culture, really are making a difference.
 
In 2 Thessalonians chapter two the Apostle Paul was writing about the coming of the antichrist and about the influence the spirit of the antichrist is already having in the world. In verses 6 and 7 he noted that the influence of the antichrist is already present in the world but is currently being restrained, and that as Christians we understand who it is that is restraining him. It’s the Holy Spirit, and in Paul’s thinking we Christians should already be well aware of this. We should also be aware of the way in which God uses us in this matter of restraining the spirit of the antichrist in our world.
 
One way to understand this is to refer to some of the lessons Jesus taught. John 14:17 is just one of the passages that promise that the Holy Spirit will live in us: “He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.” In John 15:1-8 Jesus taught the parable of the vine and the branches. There He said that just as the grapevine lives its life out through the branches and produces its fruit through the branches, so too He will live His life through us and He will produce His fruit through our lives. And then in Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus taught us to go out into the world and let His light shine out through our lives.
 
Now returning to Paul’s teaching about the influence of the antichrist in the world today, it is the Holy Spirit, at work in the world through the lives of Christians, who is holding the antichrist in check and limiting the degree and severity of his influence. That’s you! As you walk through your days encountering people and situations, you will sometimes have the opportunity to witness for Christ and to perhaps win some people to faith in Jesus. But beyond that, as you live for God and boldly stand for Biblical values in your home, in your neighborhood, in your workplace, and in your community, you will be part of the force that holds the spirit of the antichrist in check. As bad as things seem out there right now, they would be considerably worse if the spirit of the antichrist was not being resisted by the faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
 
Yes, you are making a difference. Just live your life; honor God; model and promote a Biblical worldview; and know that your presence makes a difference.
 
God bless,
Pastor Jim
 
 (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville)
 
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