A Letter from Indonesia
We all must be aware from the signs around us that the return of Jesus Christ is very near, proof of this is the occurrence of natural disasters as recorded in Matt 24 v 6 -14
Let’s recall the events surrounding Sodom and Gomorrah which were totally destroyed by God. This was because of the terrible behaviour of people. Only Lot and his family believed in God and they were commanded to leave the city before it was destroyed by God. In Gen 19:15 "And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city." At the time they were hurrying to leave Sodom the wife of Lot who was behind him, looked back to Sodom and became a pillar of salt as we read in Gen 19 v26 "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt."
“Looked back” means that in the thinking of Lot’s wife it was hard for her to leave her possessions, it was the main focus of her thoughts. At that time her love of the possessions she had left behind was more important than her salvation. There is obviously a lesson for us connected with the idea of ‘looking back’ Things that may hinder or stop us from receiving salvation when Christ comes are 1. Possessions. 2. False teaching from false prophets or teachers 3. Problems that often affect us.
1. Possessions
A person may become evil because of their connection with money. We must be very careful with regard to money. Those involved in corruption look for wealth using means which are unlawful. In extreme cases people may be killed for riches. If we look back to our possessions we may receive judgment like Lot’s wife. Our focus must be on the return of Jesus Christ.
2. False teaching which is spread by false prophets or teachers.
Let’s read Galatian 1 v 6-10. These verses speak of a false gospel which leads people astray: "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel, which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. If we look back to other teaching we risk receiving judgment like Lot’s wife. Our focus must be on the true teaching of the Bible.
3. Problems that often affect us.
If we have problems with our day-to-day economy, let’s not be overly worried. Let’s remember what Jesus said in Math 6v33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” If we ‘look back’ and our focus is more on our day-to-day life than the Kingdom of God, we are just like the wife of Lot. Also in Luke 9:60–62 “Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead:but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him. No man, having put his hand to plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God”.
If we are ‘looking back’ we won’t be received into the Kingdom of God. If we have a problem with anyone, including anyone connected to or in the ecclesial family, let us resolve it quickly so our focus can totally be on the Kingdom of God.
Brothers and sisters, there is something that is very important, we all face the prospect of being brought before the judgment seat of Christ. Christ will be our Judge. We cannot take to ourselves the position of judge as that alone is the right of our Lord Jesus. Sometimes we can forget that we need the mercy of Christ ourselves yet we take the right that belongs to Christ and judge other brethren; an example may be: “I don’t give permission for you to break bread with the ecclesia, because you have done …’. If words like this are spoken by a Christadelphian brother, then the brother has forgotten he will need mercy at the judgment seat of Christ. Brethren with humble hearts, let us take the position of one who will need mercy at the judgment seat. Jesus will be the just Judge to judge all of us.
We are people of God focused on preaching the gospel together. Let us not look back to ecclesial problems which can become stumbling stones and stop us from focusing on the Kingdom of God. Let us remove every type of conflict in the ecclesia, wherever it exists. Let us solve the problems as quickly as possible so that at Christ’s return we may all be his chosen ones. If we have the same faith and the same God, there is no reason for not working together in preaching the gospel.
Bro Sigit G Sugiarto
