Sep – 23 – IN THE LAST HOUR!

“And then many will be offended, will betray one another and will hate one another” (Mathew 24:10). You have entered into the final days in which the wickedness is at its full swing and in which betrayal is in plenty. ‘At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and make enemy of each other’ says the Scripture. What is the reason for this rivalry? What is the basis for people to accuse each other? It is nothing but lack of love which is the cause of all these happenings. Love gets decreased during these final days. Since people get away from the love of the beginning, they hate each other. If the divine love finds a place in the heart, that love will cover all sins (I Peter 4:8), (Proverbs 10:12). Is it not? If a person is caught for committing a crime, what should be done to him? Should we spread slanderous tales of the criminals doings to all over the place? Or the guilty is to be left alone? What is it you have to do? You should neither slander nor leave him unpunished. When the guilty is alone, he should be approached with divine love and he should be made to realise the impact of the crime he had committed. You should join hands with him, pray for him with tears and turn his soul towards God. Even after all these efforts, if he fails to repent, there is no option other than getting away from him silently. Even if he refuses to pay heed to your words, let not slandering him be your routine. You should never wish that he should be separated from the group or should be put to shame. One should strive for such a person’s come back and not his destruction (James 5:19, 20). It is also true that things that affect the holiness especially in the church or the Lord’s ministry should be strictly handled. God hates people who continue to slander the sin of a person. If a person is prepared to do such a thing, he cannot escape the wrath of God. Paul the Apostle says, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself because you who pass judgment do the same things” (Romans 2:1). Think of an incident which happened in the life of Noah. Once Noah, due to the influence of wine was lying uncovered in an inebriated condition. His sons Shem and Japheth took a garment covered their father’s naked body. But Noah was distressed at the mockery made by another son Ham and cursed his descendants. Because of this, Canaan son of Ham had to live with a curse. You may also refrain from accusing others and if not, such curses may follow you too. Dear children of God, if you like to continue to receive the grace of God, lead a humble life. To meditate: “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?” (Mathew 7:3).