Just Keeping It Real (Part 13)

Introduction

We have come to Part 13 (the bakers dozen) the final message in this Just Keeping it Real series. This has been both a labor of love and relief. For necessity is laid upon me to herald the truth, which at times may offend. Nevertheless, I hope and pray that you not only have been following along, but that you either repeated the messages to someone and/or pointed them to where they could retrieve them for themselves.

Before I get to the text for today’s message, I want to recap or review what has already been established which is the basis for what will be shared today. We began this series by pointing out two universal truths:

(1) You are going to run out of time; and, (when you run out of time)

(2) You are going somewhere.

Disclaimer

Now in case this is your first exposure to this series, let me repeat the disclaimer that I gave at the beginning, which is as follows: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, conceived in the womb of His mother, the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit. He was crucified on the cross for all sinners that will come to Him in faith; He was buried, and rose from the dead three days later according to the Scriptures.

I believe that after 40 days He ascended back to heaven and is seated at the right-hand of God. As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I strive to view the world and conduct myself from a biblical perspective. In short, I am unapologetically a Christian.

That said, the truth is our time and existence here on planet earth is swiftly and unceasingly passing away. One might quip, “OK, I get it it. But why are you making such a big deal out of it?” That’s an excellent question. Here is the big deal. When (not if) you run out of time, you are going somewhere. The somewhere depends upon your relationship with God. The relationship with God is either one of peace or hostility.

The Bible, which is God’s Word and special revelation to man, declares that God is holy (Psalm 99:9) and man is not (1 Samuel 2:2; Romans 3:10-18, 23). Man is a sinner and God has already passed judgment upon sin, which is death (Romans 6:23a)

The Bible teaches that there are two kinds of death—physical and spiritual. The running out of time part of the equation speaks to the physical, but the going somewhere part speaks to the spiritual.

Now, honest and sane people will admit that the evidence is overwhelming that they are going to run out of time. Most would also agree that they are going to be buried at the cemetery or at sea, or cremated.

I have heard people say, “So, there you have it. My time has run out and I have gone to the grave. It is all over. I just cease to exist.” There are so many people who are hoping that this statement is true. However, I have been sent this way to tell you that according to the Bible, this view is not true. For Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

To be clear. The judgment is not mine. And, I am so glad that I am not the judge and I am equally glad that neither are you the judge. The judgment is God’s Judgment, and He has given all judgment to His Son, Jesus Christ (John 5:22-27).

The judgment is God’s Holy Wrath, which speaks to spiritual death, also known as the second death as referenced in Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8. So, it is not over because you may say it is over. It is over when God says it is over. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

This brings us back to the going somewhere part and how that depends upon your relationship with God. Is your relationship peaceful or hostile? Peace with God can only be attained through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). God spoke from heaven concerning Jesus and said , “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.” (Matthew 17:5). Jesus Himself said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”

Therefore, if you think you have peace with God because you consider yourself a “good person.” I have some unfortunate news for you. However good your good is, it is not good enough to please God. Outside of Christ you cannot have a peaceful relationship with God. John writes in 1 John 1:3, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

Jesus, speaking with the Pharisees in John 8:24, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” Understand that sin is hostility against God and separates a person from God. And whomever runs out of time and is separated from God, their eternal destiny is Hell, not heaven or purgatory as the Roman Catholics teach. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

I realize that this may be bad news, but don’t give up yet. There is hope in Christ, and in Christ alone. For the Bible declares in 1 Timothy 2:5-6, “ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

Given the tragic outcome of unbelief and the scarcity of time, you better "Get an Understanding.” Because, “When You’re Out, You’re Out.” For there is no benefit in gaining the whole world, if you are “Spiritually Insolvent,” and lose your own soul with nothing to give in exchange.

So, “Don’t Be A Fool” and gamble with your soul, because the truth is you are “Condemned Already.” Like a death row inmate, you are just awaiting your time. So, “Make the Life Choice,” which is like a narrow gate and a hard path, but it leads to peace and eternal life with God.

For this world at its best is temporary. The flower fades and the grass withers. The only thing that is not susceptible to time is “The “Enduring the word of God.”

God has given mankind both general revelation (the earth, the moon, the stars, etc.) and special revelation (the Word of God, and the incarnate Word of God—Jesus Christ) that Is Who He says He is, so that everyone, including you are “Without Excuse.”

Considering the preciousness and scarcity of time, we aught to pray to God that He would “Teach Us to Number Our Days,” that we might apply our hearts unto wisdom. For there is only “One Name that Will Save,” and that is the name of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, but rose on the third day for our justification.

So, my brother, my sister, my son, my daughter, my friend, my neighbor, my co-worker, the message of the gospel is not doom and gloom, but really good news! Part of that good news is that as long as there is breath in your nostrils and the blood is running warm through your veins, there is yet time. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

This brings us to our text for today taken from 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (v.20), which reads,

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

V.18 says, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” Every aspect of a Christian's life is the result of the sovereign will and work of God through Christ. We did not get this on our own, but rather God chose us to be in Christ before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4) By grace are ye saved... (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ... (Romans 5:10-11; Colossians 1:20-23). Reconcile means “a change of relationship from enmity to peace.” The Greek word katallasso kat-al-las’-so, refers to this change being the result of one party’s decision as opposed to many. This informs us that it was God who decided to change the relationship with fallen man through the sacrificial and substitutionary death of Christ on the cross.

“…given us the ministry of reconciliation.” It is the will of God that sinful men be reconciled to Him and God has charged Christians to proclaim the Gospel of reconciliation (not prosperity, healing, social justice or self-indulgence). (1 Corinthians 1:17)

Now then (or therefore) we are ambassadors for Christ... (Ephesians 6:20) Ambassadors are more than messengers, but representatives of the sovereign who sent them. Christians are sent with the message of gospel and God's good will—the ministry of reconciliation with God. For God has shown His good will and love, by sending His Son to die in our stead, and thereby man can have peace with God. For Christ paid the sin debt and bore our sins—the just for the unjust.

God has graciously given you time and opportunity to make peace with your Maker. That’s right, you have a Maker. You did not make yourself. And, if you say you did make yourself or you somehow played a part in it, with all due respect, you are a liar, and the truth is not in you. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real.

Therefore, the message is not a threat nor accusation. Rather, it is a pleading. I beseech you, I beg you, please, be reconciled to God before your time runs out. Amen somebody. Just keeping it real. May the Lord bless and keep you is my earnest prayer.