HE THAT IS HOLY LET HIM BE HOLY
Sermon of TBOLF By Br. R. L. Ravichandra
Text: Rev 22:10-21
THE WORLD
When we look into the current affairs of the world today. we definitely agree that this is not the same situation 25 years ago. Tremendous changes have occurred in every area. Science has so much improved, technology developed, remarkable achievements in medical science and computers do the finest and the most accurate things in every area of life which was sometime back, a dream. Along with that development we also see the negative effects on the society. Increase in crime rates, prisons are flooded almost in every nations, drug addicts are on the increase, sexual immorality has gone so high — teen pregnancies, divorce rates, perverted sex, pornography etc., Business world is full of deceit, cheating, bribing. It is difficult to find a single nation without any civil war. Everywhere turmoil, violence, danger, hatred, vengeance, cheating. NOTORIOUS INCREMENT! This is what Bible predicts of the world, and this is the surest sign for the coming of the Son of God and for the end of the world. Let us read - Matt 24:3-14
Recently in BBC, they interviewed some of the religious leaders of different faith and most of them agreed that the world is going towards destruction and the end of the world is near.
THE CHRISTIANS
Looking at the above facts what should be the reaction of the Christians. The word of God tells us what to do.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (KJV) Accordingly the unjust continues to be unjust still, and the filth and the filthy continues to be filthy still. BUT how about the righteous continue to be righteous and the Holy continue to be Holy. There is a grave danger if we do not take this warning carefully. If we carefully go thorough the bible, it always speaks about the positive (+ve) or negative (-ye) and not the nuetral.
Let us look at some examples.
Luke 11:23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters. Matt 25:14 -30 Parable of talents. (not minas Luke 19:11- 27) lst and 2nd servants multiplied, but the third one came and gave back the talent given to him. In this worldly sense it was okay. But he was given severe punishment.
James 4:17. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. Richrnan & Lazarus — He was in hell not for what he had done but for what he had not done Judgement of nations — Sheep & goats - Let us read. Matt 25:41-45
Luke 13:7 Parable of fig tree — if no fruit then get rid of it because it becomes a liability. It is better to get rid of it (Luke 3:9). Mal 3:18 And you will again see the distinction between the rinhteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. Note the comparison.
IF WE DO NOT DO GOD’ WILL, THEN WE DO THE WILL OF DEVIL.
IF WE DO NOT OBEY GOD, THEN WE OBEY DEVIL.
IF WE DO NOT HONOUR GOD, ThEN WE HONOUR DEVIL.
We used to tell "I do not do any good or bad to any one" and try to be neutral. Is it okay?
When we look at Rev 22:11. We are supposed to continue in doing right and to be holy still. There should be increase. Don’t we expect that in our children. Physical growth. education/knowledge. character and other activities.
Our life is a journey or a race (Heb 12:1-4)and we are expected to move forward. There must be a positive move toward the goal. If there is no advancement, after sometime we will be at a place behind our expected position. We are not where we should be and we are behind this is backsliding. (People of the world are not backsliding in their activities)
We believers some times classif~’ sins as big and small. A pastor used to pray "Lord we haven’t done big sins, forgive us". Sin is like poison. Whether it is a drop or a cupful, both will be fatal. Adultrv. - Matt 5:27-28 Sin committed by mind.
Murder. I Jn 3:14-15 Sin of mmd is as equal as the sin of action.
When we read about the sins of those who will be left out at the end as recorded in - Rev 22:15 It is better to highlight some of the sins mentioned here.
Dogs - 2 Pet 2:20-22 They are backslidders
Idolators— Anything that stands between God and us are considered to be the idols. Col 3:5
CONCLUSION
Rev 22:12"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according
to what he has done. Also let us read 1 Pet 4:17-19
Let us not take our life lightly, a big responsibility is entrusted to all of us. Are ready to meet the
Lord? What will He tell about us when He comes? Are you sure of going with Him when He comes?