SCRIP-BITS

Mark 1:15.    The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
 
Oh Friends, this is one of those days when I have a Bit, but no introduction. But yuh know what, those vibrant words of Jesus don’t need any intro, cause they are the intro themselves, for that’s how He began His ministry. Having been baptized by John in the Jordan, then driven by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by Lucifer, with only the angels to minister to Him, He comes back to civilization refreshed and full of energy, ready at last to do His thing. So John the Baptist is now in jail, and Jesus comes into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God. And what’s His first pronouncement? The words of our Bit: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand (near): repent ye, and believe the gospel.’ And before going any further, let’s hear some of the scholars’ thoughts on these words of infallible truth that have stood the test of time, and are today still as fresh and relevant as they were some two thousand years ago, when Jesus spoke them. Now according to the scholars: ‘Jesus’ proclamation stresses the importance of that present time. The sphere of God’s sovereign rule is extending into humanity with new intensity. All, even Israel, are to repent, by God’s grace, turning from sin and to righteousness, not just outwardly but with the heart. Along with repenting must come believing, putting trust in Jesus’ message (and thus right from the start, to some extent, in Jesus Himself).’ Oh Friends, those opinions of the scholars are absolutely true. Jesus brought a new intensity and urgency to God’s message, which required everyone to sincerely repent, then truly believe and trust in His message. But yuh know my people, those poignant and thought provoking words of Jesus are probably more important and pertinent today than when he uttered them, as our world has grown much larger since His time and consequently sin and unbelief are more rampant and widespread. Therefore there are also many more opportunities for Lucifer to get his evil claws into God’s children. That means we have to be oh so careful in all we do and say, because the enemy is just waiting for us to make the smallest error before he gleefully pounces on us. And paradoxically, the only antidote for Lucifer’s poison is to believe and trust in Jesus. What a wise and formidable God we serve and worship Friends! For with the coming of Jesus, He made known to us that things were being stirred up, the time for His kingdom was drawing nigh, and we needed to get serious about cleansing our hearts and souls of the sin in which we were wallowing, if we were to have any chance of spending eternity with Him. And that awesome message still stands today my brethren, with even more urgency, for we don’t know when Jesus will return, but we know that we cannot be found wanting when He does. Two thousand years have passed since He came, but it could be two day, or even two hours before He comes again, that’s why repenting, believing and trusting in Him RIGHT NOW is so important. For once He comes, in whatever state we’re found, that’s how it’s going to be with us for eternity. As Bruh Paul said to the Galatians: ‘But when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made (born) under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.’ (Gal.4:4-5) So when the Father was ready, He caused His Son to be born in human form, of a woman, as a Jew, under the law, so that He could die for those who were living under the curse of the law. That was the only way He could die for our sins. But Friends, that was just the first ‘fullness of time,’ when Jesus opened a whole new world for us with the Father. The next ‘fullness of time’ though won’t be as pleasant, because we’ve been warned and given lots of time to get our houses in order. Bruh Paul also warned the Ephesians about that time, saying of God: ‘Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence (understanding); Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him.’ (Eph.1:8-10) Friends, that ‘fullness of time’ refers to Jesus coming back to reign in the Millennial Kingdom, when he cleans up the world, when both sin and righteousness will receive their just rewards. The question here is, are we ready for that most momentous occasion? What if it happens today? Will be in the righteous, believing and trusting group, or the sinful, evil group that will see eternal separation from God? Hopefully we’ll all be in the first group, but not unless we clean up our act and get our houses in order ASAP, preferably today, RIGHT NOW! Please, let’s not take foolish chances with our eternal destiny, for it’s the most important decision we’ll ever make in this earthly life. Let’s not be penny wise and pound foolish. Trust in Jesus TODAY! Much LOVE!…to repent, believe and trust in God…is the ultimate act of every human being…