Growing Closer to God PT 24

Wondering, But Not Lost.

Today’s question: Why is life so difficult. In the past we talked about trials for the testing of ones faith.

1 Peter 1:7 ESV

so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

And we know that the testing isn’t for God’s sake but for ours. We see this in Job when God asked Satan have you tested Job. God knew the outcome. The only ones who didn’t know the outcome were Job—who learned his lesson, His friends—who learned their lessons, and his wife—who I assume learned her lesson though we don’t hear about it.

The good news about these types of testing is: The quicker we learn the faster the trial, but then there are the diffcult times we are discovering today.:

The Trials of Turning Away

I don’t know if you have ever watched a movie where someone is trying to push their way through a forcefield. The TV show flash had an episode like this and Flash was trying to get through the forcefield to protect the people on the other side, but the further he pressed into the forcefield the more pain he experienced. This is true with guardrails as well. The faster you drive into one the more it will hurt.

We are in the place in the book of Romans that Paul is still explaining the predicament and in this section Paul talks about three tragedies or three warnings sent to Israel.

People see all tragedies the same: Tragic, but most of the time tragedy is God’s judgement and warning throughout the bible. We see this in the book of Isaiah where Israel was attacked. It was God’s attempt to get their attention. The issue is that Israel answered in Rebellion instead of humility. They came back and said we are going to build back stronger and better than what was torn down. God’s reply was simple: More judgement. More pressure. More pain. In hopes that Israel would turn back to God in their times of suffering.

I get asked a lot about the rapture and why I believe Christians are going to be taken up into the sky to be with Jesus during the worst part of the tribulations here on Earth. There is much to this question, but I want to show you quickly how what is perceived as judgement could be the very life raft people need.

I don’t believe Christians escape the tribulation for sake of the Christian themselves. I see nothing biblical about escaping trials or martyrdom. Paul repeatedly tells people to count suffering for Christ as joy and blessing. By the way Paul talks we are being removed from the trials at our own joyful deficit, but I believe God has this reason:

Salvation

Today’s scripture explains why. There are many on the fence of salvation, but have not made a decision. Christ said that those who are luke warm will be spewed out of his mouth—unsaved. When the rapture happens I don’t think churches will be as empty as people think they will be. In fact at that time I believe you are going to see a wave of people coming to the alter. If I were sitting in church and the rapture happened. People started vanishing and I was left behind—it would be a clear sign to me that couldn’t deny any longer. my immediate reaction-I hope- wouldn’t be to get right with God followed by Now I need to help people see the light of God.

As a result of the Rapture I believe there will be mass salvations. Put another way:

As a Result of Judgement; there will be mass salvation.

Those who didn’t know will fully understand. Those who scoffed at Grandma will have a light go off and hopefully be pushed toward repentance and not anger.

So the question then lies:

How do I know the difference between trial and Judgement?

Paul shows three ways

The Nation Fell

There was a period of removal.

Romans 11:11 ESV

So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

Romans

May 14,1948

I can usually tell when someone is in a period of Judgement when God is removing them from positions within their church and their life. This isn’t a moving on because in most cases it isn’t voluntary. God takes the decision to leave out of the persons hands as they are being removed. I find at this point many people get very angry and Israel was no exception. Although they may not admit it, they know why it is happening. Chances are this person has been prompted by God for quite some time before this step was necessary, but I want to draw your attention to

Stumble Vs. Fall

Israel’s removal wasn’t permanent. If it was permanent they would have fallen, but Paul states purposefully that they are stumbling. Not every removal of authority is meant to last. Look at Moses. He was removed from his high position when he murdered someone. But in the wilderness he got back to place of worshiping God and then was reestablished into his leadership position. David was forced out by Absolom for the sins David had committed, but then was ushered back in after his trial and repentance.

Adversely Saul—whose judgement didn’t drive him to repentance, but drove him further into rebellion. He was stripped of his position never to be regained.

For a long time Israel didn’t have their own place to call home. Matter of fact Israel signed their declaration of Independence:

May 14,1948

Many believe this is one of the signs in Revelation because the restoration Paul talks about here in Romans is happening with Israel.

Israel was Lost

Romans 11:12 KJV 1900

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

The word Diminished means to become less. Israel lost it’s eliteness. When something is rare or special it gives it value, but when its open and mass produced it loses its value. The term God’s chosen people lost it’s value in that it became open. Israel was no longer special. You didn’t have to become a Jew to know God. We see this in the ending of circumcision. A promise from God that set Israel apart for God—is no longer needed to be one with God.

They became lost, scattered, just like everyone else. Paul in his ending questions suggests that they will eventually be restored, but in hopes of repentance they are being removed.

In the average Christian we see this when someone is in rebellion. Typically they withdraw from the church. Their life begins to mimic the world they live in. You can watch their sure footedness that they used to have begin to become sloppy as they lose their sight and direction. This is because they begin to tune out the Spirit of God who is our internal GPS.

There are noticable difference between a Christian in trial and testing and a lost Christian.

A Christian in trial: Still has piece. Despite their immediate reactions, they still know that God is in control.

A Christian in judgement: Loses all sense of calm. Feels abandoned, overwhelmed, and forgotten.

Those in judgement tend to blame, get wrapped up in anger. Point fingers. Hurt people who are close because it reminds them of who they once were, where they once were. As they cling on to what they feel is important—more important than God.

To the Jews it’s the Law

To some Christians its lust, money, control, pride.

Cast Away

Romans 11:15 ESV

For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

They were rejected, not for rejections sake, but in hopes that they would come back.

At this point this is where my heart breaks for Christians. God turns his back on them. It isn’t that he leaves them because God’s word says he will never leave us, but he removes the hedge of protection. The shroud of blessing that caught many of the firery darts the enemy tried to hit was with. You think life is bad in a trial—that’s controlled target practice. Only the right darts get through, but in Judgement. Its all out war and you are left to defend yourself in hopes that you begin to understand that it’s God you need—not whatever you are clinging to that you put before God. You need God. It’s God’s last attempt to open your eyes before you are lost for good.