Dereliction of Duty

"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven (Acts 1:11)." Dereliction of duty is the failure to fulfill one's obligation. Christians are called Ambassadors of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:20. An ambassador is an official representative to a foreign country. Jesus Christ instructed His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations." Therefore, it is safe to say that as Christians we are ambassadors of a "foreign country," the Kingdom of God, sent here to represent the Lord by making disciples through the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Yet, there seems to be an increasing focus on everything "End Times" that makes it appear that Christians are more concerned about Jesus returning and getting us out of here, instead of focusing on the lost and sharing the Gospel. I see a popular pastor promoting his book about the "Apocalypse." There are just as many Christians talking about an economic "collapse" happening in the near future. We are all familiar with the false prophets who have predicted the end of the world recently and yet we are still here. Plus, anytime there is a large earthquake or something happens in Israel or the Middle East, people act as if that particular event is the event leading to Jesus stepping out of the clouds. Now, don't get me wrong, Jesus did talk about signs of the End of the Age and how they signal our redemption being near, but I charge that there are way too many believers who seem to be derelict in their "duty" to share the Gospel and would rather keep "looking into the sky"waiting for the Lord's return.

Jesus said, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:4-7)." Do you recognize the brilliance of God in these words? There has never been a time in all of history, specifically since Jesus spoke these words, where there hasn't been false Christs deceiving people, wars and rumors of wars, nation rising against nation, kingdom against kingdom, famines and earthquakes in various places. I believe He said this so every generation of believer from the time He was on earth until His return would have a sense of urgency about preaching the Gospel. We know He can come back at any minute or centuries from now because the signs of His return are always present. Therefore, be about your duty of spreading the Gospel and try to get people saved. As a Christian you are prepared for His return regardless of when it happens. However, for those who don't believe in Jesus Christ the clock is ticking for them. If they were to die apart from a saving faith in Jesus Christ their eternal fate is sealed with no second chance! It is to their benefit that Jesus hasn't returned yet. Use the "signs" as a way to tell people about Jesus Christ and what He did the first time He was here so they can get saved and be ready for His Second Coming. I cannot wait for Jesus to come back, but I implore you to get your eyes off the sky and on to your fellow man. The angels have already said Jesus will come back and Jesus said not to be alarmed. Let us fulfill our duties and see if we can gather a few more people for Him when He does return.