Time For A Reality Check
Often times, we are comfortable about where we are and where we have been.
Our comfort is not to be trusted.
Sometimes the future is not as bright as we hoped it would be.

Reality Check:
This is where we separate the perception into the reality.
This is where we separate our opinions from facts.
This is were we separate our fantasy and see what is really going on.
This is where we really need to see God’s view of the things that are, and we should try to view them the same way God views them.
In other words: If sin is an abomination to God, it should be an abomination to us.

Our recent elections have revealed a lot about our fellow citizens.
Perhaps we should view this as a wakeup call.
Perhaps we thought we lived in a society that respected God and His word.
Well, we were wrong.
It has become obvious that the majority of our fellow citizens approve of sin and every sort of evil.
Welcome to the world of “REALITY CHECK”.
Most of us would like to think that the people around us are good moral people with principles worthy of God's approval.
While a few of us might be blessed to be surrounded by such people,

REALITY CHECK!!!
Reality tells us that is not the case anymore.
When immorality is approved by the people, it should tell us that we have failed in spreading the word of GOD.
When drunkenness and getting high are placed on the ballot, you know that people want it that way.
When abortion is placed on the ballot you know people want it that way.
Every sin that God has condemned has been adopted into our sinful society and even glorified.
If such things are going to be put on the ballot that tells us that society has already accepted such.
Soft and hard drugs are a multi-billion industry.
Sex is a multi-billion dollar industry.
Gambling is a multi-billion dollar industry.
If there is money involved, people are going to continue it until the profit is no longer there.
Even though something is illegal, it does not stop those who want to do it.
Many things that were illegal several years ago are now legal.
Many things that were disgusting to us and are still disgusting to us are being accepted in our world.
People may get high on pot, and they may marry in the same sex.
Abortion is legal in many places.
But we must remember that God has already spoken about the taking of innocent life.
God has already spoken about continuing in sin (Hebrews 10:26).
And God has already spoken and warned us about the judgment to come.
We must also remember that every one will stand before God and give an account.

The reality is that if this country is going to make a comeback and improve, it will only happen if God is a part of it.
In 1 Samuel 8, we read about a nation that decided to boot God out of their land.
That nation was God’s chosen people.
They wanted to be like the nations around them, they had to have what the other nations had:
A king was desired.
The people were warned, but they said they wanted a king anyway.
The reality is that they did not like God telling them how to live.
In Samuel's day, the people rejected God as their King.
Recent events tell us that most people in this country have done the same.
It is very interesting that what is happening today in our country is precisely what has happened in the past.
We can read about it in the Bible.
We see many descriptions in the prophets of things they did that people today are now doing.
1 Corinthians 10:1-13 instructs us to learn from the example of the Israelites and not follow their wayward path.
Many nations had ignored the warnings from God, and they ceased to exist.
Reality informs us that this country is on the same path.
Secular human historians have documented these same type events throughout history.
We are encouraged to learn from history so that we do not make the same mistakes.
But no, the people are not learning their histories so as to prevent them from making the same mistakes.

What can the righteous do to help solve the problem?
First of all, we need to make sure to give God glory and honor, and we must remain faithful to God.
That may not be popular in our society, but there will be a reward by doing so.
We also need to realize the need to teach our fellow man about God and the sacrifice of Jesus (The Gospel).
As Christians, we should not be content to just let the people stay on the path to hell.
Yes we are talking about our example and influence (and personal evangelism).
You can only set an example for people who see you, and you can only influence those around you.
That is where your world you are commanded to evangelize starts and stops.
These people are souls that Jesus died for, and they need salvation.
We as Christians should do our part to teach our fellow man.
This starts in the home, and continues among our co-workers, classmates, neighbors, and everyone in our community.
We cannot teach or influence those who do not know us, and those we do not meet.

REALITY CHECK:
God has told His people to be sober-minded.
(An Elder should be) Titus 1:8 “But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;”
Titus 2:2 “That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”
(Older women are to:) Titus 2:4 “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,”
(Older men are to teach:) Titus 2:6 “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded”.
1 Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”
1 Peter 4:7 “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
God has told His people to pay attention to their surroundings and walk (live) accordingly.
Ephesians 5:15 “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise.”
Ephesians 4:17 “This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind.”
Ephesians 4:1 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called”
Colossians 1:10 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

Conclusion
The people have spoken and have rejected God and His laws.
The righteous can tuck tail and hide or they can share the gospel message and start saving souls.
Reality tells us that we are not going to save them all, but we can at least try to save some.
Now, are you going to get real?

By Carey Scott

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