Young people ask questions, like: "Is it realistic to expect that we can overcome all sin? Can ordinary people become truly Christlike? Aren't we expected to continue being tempted and falling until Christ comes again? Who wants to be a monk or a nun living in an isolated desert cave so as to be holy?"
Well, the "seventh angel" is right now blowing his trumpet, and "the mystery of God" is being finished now, in this grand cosmic Day of Atonement (Rev. 10:1-6; 11:15-19). What has never before happened is to happen--a corporate "body" of God's people will indeed "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, ... without fault before the throne of God" (Rev. 14:4, 5). And to accomplish this previously unheard-of feat comes "the third angel's message in verity"--a grasping of "the everlasting gospel" as Good News better than any previous generation have ever seen it to be (18:1-4).
Don't let yourself fall to the temptation to despise what God will accomplish!
The motivating power in that "everlasting gospel" is "the grace of God," not a paralyzing fear motivation, but a heart-appreciation of how magnificent is that "grace" of "the Lamb," the crucified Son of God. As present-day High Priest, He ministers that grace 24 hours a day. He "teaches us to say No! to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled [ah, that's the rub!], upright and godly lives in this present age [with all its alluring fleshly and electronic temptations]" (Titus 2:11, 12, NIV). Does it really work?
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it'" (Isa. 30:21). That "grace" won't let you fall into sin unless you "resist" Him. The ball is in your court. You will vote for the Day of Atonement, or you can vote to kill it. (The latter would embarrass you greatly in the final day.)
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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