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Know Nothing, Except Jesus Christ and Him Crucified Greetings to all. We just returned from Tennessee where we attended the memorial service for Marie’s brother who just passed away. One consoling factor in it all was the fact that her brother had confessed and accepted the Lord, somewhat before his death. While there I had a somewhat humorous, yet serious exchange with a woman who was a rabid Tennessee Titans fan. She related that when her team needed a touchdown, she got down on her knees and said, “Lord we need a touchdown” and just like that the Titans scored. Later in the game the Titans needed a field goal to win and the Lord answered her prayer again. Perhaps she was pulling my leg? At least I hope so. I replied, “In the great scheme of eternity, God doesn’t give a hoot about football.” Which brings me to my point and our text. 1Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. The apostle Paul had heard disturbing reports that the Corinthian church was dividing up into factions. Some claimed to be of Paul, some of Cephas (Peter) and yet others of Apollos. Paul was the apostle to the gentiles whose basic message was salvation by faith. Peter was the apostle to the Jews, many of whom still clung to the rituals of the law. Apollos was of Greek origin and it is logical to assume that his thought was influenced by Greek culture. It should be noted that even though their approaches may have been different, Paul and Peter preached the same thing i.e. faith, repentance, water and Spirit baptism. Paul urged these people to set their petty differences aside and dwell on the main thing, Jesus Christ and him crucified (I Corinthians 1:10-12). That is something worth considering today, wouldn’t you think? We have a lot of things today that distract us from the main theme of God’s word, which is simply Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I imagine that some in Paul’s day considered him to be a bit of a fanatic when he stated that he would glory in nothing but the cross of Jesus. Actually the word fan is simply short for fanatic. He considered himself dead to the world and the world dead to himself. Politics and monetary gain didn’t matter. All that mattered was giving his all for the One who gave His all for him. He was a fan of Jesus and I would say that he had his priorities straight. Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. The writer of Hebrews warns us that we will not escape judgment if we neglect our great salvation (Hebrews 2:1-4). Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him]; The crux of the matter is that God’s prophetic timetable is rapidly being fulfilled. Whether we are raptured before the tribulation, during or after, the coming of Jesus is more imminent than ever before. The value of our 401K will be of little importance then and it won’t matter who occupies the White House. Yes, I like football but that won't matter either, when I stand before the throne of God. All that will matter is whether or not my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev. 21:7). To summarize the three verses below: Jesus told us that He would come quickly, like a thief. His coming will be when we don’t expect it. He will bring His reward with Him. In other words, once He comes we will have no time for repentance. As we watch for Him, our responsibility is hold on to that which we have been given, and to keep our garments clean. Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. God Bless and Keep On Keeping On. Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries
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