Keith's Comments
Ashamed At His Coming
Those of us who have Jesus as our Lord and Savior are called His servants. And, as His servants, we are to continue sharing His Gospel and living according to God's Word until He returns for us:

"And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come." (Luke 19:13)

But there will be servants who are ashamed of themselves at His coming:

"The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of," (Matthew 24:50)

"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." (1 John 2:28)

Why would anyone who's saved be ashamed when He appears at the Rapture to receive them unto Himself? Very simply, even though they are saved, they were not living as they should. They will not lose their salvation, but they will lose rewards in Heaven:

"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Revelation :11)

Here are a only few reasons why many of Christ's servants will be ashamed of themseves when the Rapture occurs:

They did not treat other believers correctly:

"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42-42)

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." (Hebrews 6:10)

They did not use their God given talents and abilities correctly:

"Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:4)

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6)

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1 Peter 4:10)

They did not use money properly:

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:1-4)

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded; nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;" (1 Timothy 6:17)

"That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;" (1 Timothy 6:18)

"Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (1 Timothy 6:19)

They endured suffering and trials poorly:

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12)

They did not control their fleshly appetites:

"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keepunder my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)

They did not witness to others and win souls for Christ:

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30)

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." (Daniel 12:3)

They did not expect Him until 'later', by not believing the doctrine of the Rapture:

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8)

They were not faithful to God's Word and to God's people:

"Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts 20:26-28)

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." (James 3:1)

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;" (1 Peter 5:1-2)

They were not hospitable to strangers:

"For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." (Matthew 25:35-36)

"Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (Luke 14:12-14)

They were not faithful to God's Word in their chosen profession:

"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the iheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:22-24)

They did not speak as a Christian should:

"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." (Matthew 12:36)

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." (James 3:6)

If Jesus is your Lord and Savior then you are His servant, and you should be living by God's Word. Are you watchful and anticipating the Lord's soon return, or will you be ashamed at His coming?

Keith

05-03-2003

.

Archived Comments

.

Keith's Comments are copyright © DivineIntervention.ws but may be reproduced in whole or in part as long as all reproductions are accompanied with a link to www.DivineIntervention.ws

.