March 20, 2023

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 1:21-23

Jesus declared that before His return, the gospel message will reach everyone (Matthew 24:14). While this may seem an impossible feat, Paul points out that it happened in the first century; and all without the aid of modern technology! Biblical prophecy tells us that in our day it will happen again—this time across the globe, among the billions alive on planet earth. God’s people have the privilege of carrying His message, pure and undiluted, to the world. The hearers will decide whether to accept or reject this message of salvation, called the everlasting gospel in Revelation 14:6. Throughout the story of salvation, God has been leading people to return to Him. This means a restoration in full to His word.

“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.’” Zechariah 1:3

When God called Abraham out of Ur in the land of the Chaldeans (which also means Babylonians and is also called the land of Shinar), Abraham obediently began a journey toward God. But the culture from which he came was so steeped in paganism, that it took much of his lifetime—and much pain—to get the paganism out of Abraham. When Sarai presented her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, to him, he went along with the idea. This practice was so common and widespread at the time that Abraham did not see it as sin. Yet the havoc wrought in his family life has continued until this very day in the form of hostilities between the descendants of Isaac and Ishmael.

Too often we do not realize the ongoing consequences of incorporating paganism into Biblical beliefs. Through the years, centuries, and millennia, our archenemy has constantly worked to inject pagan ideas, concepts, even terminology into Biblical practices. Do not allow the enemy to invade or overshadow your worship of the Savior. As we look forward to the yearly celebration of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, let us remember that He is the Passover Lamb who died for our sins and rose again to begin His role as our high priest in the heavenly temple. This beautiful time of year is filled with reminders of new life. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to take a “detour” regarding commercialism or paganism, and use this special time to spread the truth to family and community that new life is a heavenly gift made available to everyone through Christ!

…that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world… Philippians 2:15